In developing the NHS Covid Recovery programme, I’ve spoken to many people experiencing persistent effects of #Covid_19. I’ve been struck by how many are NHS staff themselves; analysis of newly released data clearly illustrates the scale of the impact of Covid on NHS Staff (1/6)

The sickness rate for NHS Staff in London increased by >100% in April. Of course, the population sickness rate also went up, but the increase was ONLY in frontline NHS organizations & MUCH HIGHER in staff groups that were most likely to be in contact with Covid-19 patients. (2/6)

The massive increase in sickness could be a) staff contracting Covid or b) stress-related disorders due to working during the pandemic. However, data clearly shows it is the former, in fact, the proportion of sickness absence due to anxiety & depression actually went down. (3/6)

Its no surprise that many staff caring for pts with a highly infectious disease, often with inadequate PPE, contracted Covid. In April, @BPSOfficial guidance on Covid recovery predicted a significant % would experience prolonged symptoms. Sadly @LongCovidSOS bears this out (4/6)

What shocks me, however, is the apparent lack of attention nationally to the needs of the thousands of NHS staff suffering prolonged symptoms of Covid. How many NHS staff are currently off sick because of Covid? We don’t know. What support are they being offered? Very little. 5/6

These NHS & care staff are the same ones who we were standing on our doorsteps clapping not long ago. Many of them are suffering themselves now &, in my opinion, deserve much better recognition, support & rehabilitation than they are currently receiving (6/6)
#CareForCarers @NHS