GP MSP says Long Covid is timebomb for Scots NHS

A GP and MSP has described seeing the “devastating and debilitating” aftermath of Long Covid in his surgery every day.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative health spokesman, criticised health chiefs for doing too little to ease the plight of sufferers. He called for the urgent launch of specialist Long Covid clinics across the country.

Gulhane said: “Long Covid is a ticking timebomb in our NHS and, as a GP, I’m seeing more and more patients presenting with it. Because it’s such a debilitating and long-lasting condition we risk having a generation of patients increasingly dependent on the NHS at a time when it is already beyond full capacity.

“For months, the Scottish Conservatives have been calling for a network of Long Covid clinics to be established across Scotland to take the pressure off other areas of our over-stretched NHS.”

In recent weeks, the number of people in hospital with coronavirus reached record levels with about 2,300 patients recorded on five consecutive days.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released figures showing the proportion of people with the virus had increased in Scotland in the week ending March 20. It estimated 473,800 were infected – one in 11 people.

At the end of January, 119,000 people in Scotland had reportedly claimed to have Long Covid. Across the UK, 1.5 million people are believed to have the condition. The ONS also found 2.4% of the UK population had seen symptoms persist for more than four weeks after testing positive for Covid.

One study by University College London found more than 200 symptoms of Long Covid including visual hallucinations, tremors, itchy skin, heart palpitations and memory loss.

The Scottish Government said: “Support is already being delivered for those suffering from Long Covid and we are doing more through a national Long Covid Strategic Network.

“This network brings together clinical experts, NHS boards and those with lived experience to guide how we plan and design care and ensure our £10 million Long Covid Support Fund is targeted at the areas where additional support can make the biggest difference. This will enable NHS boards to develop and deliver the best models of care appropriate – including establishing dedicated services like clinics, if appropriate.

“We expect the first payments to be made at the beginning of the next financial year.

“NHS Inform has a dedicated Long Covid microsite, providing information and support.”