John Baron MP welcomes UK Long Covid research

MP: Insights will benefit patients worldwide

Research from the ONS shows that one in ten people with Covid-19 may have symptoms for twelve weeks or longer. This so-called Long Covid can take the form of debilitating long-term mental and physical health, including fatigue, breathlessness and headaches. In order to ensure Britain becomes a world leader in Long Covid research, treatment and care, the Government has announced a further £18.5 million in funding through the National Institute for Health Research and UK Research and Innovation to support research into improving the understanding, consequences and treatment of Long Covid. These projects will complement existing research into the long-term health impacts of Covid-19 on hospitalised patients, which are already informing the treatment of NHS patients – there are 69 specialist assessment service centres across England which assess patients of all ages with suspected Long Covid and direct them along an appropriate clinical pathway.

John said,

“I welcome this significant Government investment into Long Covid research. Early indications are that a significant number of people who develop Covid-19 experience ongoing symptoms even after their initial recovery, and it is good news that our scientists, researchers and doctors are investigating this further. Any insights will benefit patients worldwide, not just in Britain, and will form yet another important British contribution to international public health.”