NHS bosses could face a bill of up to £230 million to treat patients with Long Covid.
Around 1.3 million people say they are suffering from the grim aftermath of the coronavirus, including exhaustion, breathlessness and “brain fog”.
But the cost of treating them could be higher than the £134m pledged by NHS England for 2021/22.
As many as 381,000 full-time equivalent workers may have been off with Long Covid, according to an independent analysis.
Garry Loftus, 52, a hospital porter in Stoke-on-Trent, has been unable to return to work for 14 months after catching Covid in December 2020.
He says: “I’ve been suffering from fatigue, brain fog and breathlessness ever since.
“I tried to go back to work for two days, but I was struggling so much I got sent home and I haven’t been back since.
“I used to run and swim for miles – at one point in my illness, I couldn’t walk upstairs.”
Garry is finally improving thanks to a support group and respiratory physiotherapy. But some workers have faced months and even years off work due to the debilitating condition.
Estimates from the charity Health Foundation show treating Long Covid patients in England who have symptoms for at least 12 weeks could be as much as £230million.
Laurie Rachet-Jacquet, Economic Analyst for the REAL Centre at the Health Foundation, said: “There is significant uncertainty around our funding estimates, including over the cost and level of services required or the number of patients who will seek treatment, but this suggests the funding required to treat Long Covid is higher than the £94 million already committed by NHS England alongside the £30 million announced for primary care in 2021/22.”
Liliana Mendonca, 31, from Hackney, north London, has spent £8,000 on private treatment and tests after struggling to get the help she needs via the NHS.
She says: "I waited nine months for a triage appointment. I had to wait three months to even be able to be referred, then they kept requesting different tests and rejecting my referral until it was finally accepted.
"Sadly, in my area, it's a waste of time. They didn't even offer to do any tests and I had to go private.
"My weight dropped to 39kg which I still am now. I've had to go private to see some specialists as I wasn't getting any help on the NHS.
"Once I finally attended the Long Covid clinic triage appointment, they only offered psychological help and talking therapy, then admitted that it's not appropriate for me.
"I was admitted to hospital for five weeks, thanks to my MP getting involved and the Long Covid clinic admitting I need acute care as an inpatient.
“The only things I get from the NHS now are gastroenterology, and an hour-and-a-half a day of care.
“I will get physiotherapy and occupational therapy – but I’m not ready for that."
Andrew Gwynne MP, the Shadow Health Minister, who caught Covid in March 2020, said: “I still struggle with symptoms on an almost daily basis.
“It’s debilitating, and when it hits hard can make even the most basic tasks a challenge.
“If the Government doesn’t get a grip on this rapidly growing crisis then we will face huge costs, not only to the NHS, but also on our general prosperity as a nation.
“The Government should be helping employers understand the issue and making sure that those who suffer from Long Covid aren’t unfairly penalised for something that is entirely out of their control.”
Separate research from Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation reveals those who managed Long Covid at home are experiencing symptoms which are just as severe as those who were admitted to hospital.
The study, based on data from 3,000 patients, also suggested people who had no pre-existing health conditions experience Long Covid in the same way as those with underlying issues.
Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, and a co-author of the new research, said: “This research paints a grim picture of the realities of life with Long Covid.
"Previously fit and healthy people are grieving the lives they have lost, now living with multiple disabling symptoms and struggling with everyday tasks like washing the dishes and getting up and down their stairs.
“People dealing with this life-changing condition are understandably frustrated and upset by the barriers they’ve faced accessing support, especially for those who managed the acute phase of their illness at home and not in hospital.
"We’ve heard first-hand from many people who feel that their symptoms aren’t taken seriously and have been left to fight this new and unpredictable condition alone.
"The NHS needs to support healthcare professionals to refer Long Covid patients on to the specialist care they so desperately need, factoring in the lived experiences and needs of people with Long COVID.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting people suffering from long COVID and to ensuring services are available to everyone who needs them.
“The NHS has committed £224 million to combating long COVID with 90 long COVID services across England offering specialist services for children and young people.
“We are also providing more than £50 million for research and are committed to supporting people experiencing the long term effects including providing a strong financial safety net for those in need.”
- If you are experiencing Long COVID and want information and advice, visit: blf.org.uk/long-covid.
