Tens of thousands of NHS staff suffering long Covid have had their sick pay cut in half.
Until last month heroes struck down by the virus got full wages regardless of how long they were off.
But from September the Government ruled those ill more than six months will be on half pay.
Around 60,000 NHS healthcare and social care staff are still suffering crippling long Covid symptoms, according to the Office for National Statistics.
A consultant at an NHS trust in the South told us the move made her feel “chucked on the rubbish tip”. She has been unable to work since catching the virus in November 2020.
She said: “The guilt of not working is terrible. But with long Covid the harder you push, the worse you get. Covid isn’t listed as an occupational disease, so there’s no compensation scheme. “I’ve sacrificed so much for the NHS. Now it has taken my health too. ”
The British Medical Association has slammed the decision which puts NHS Covid sufferers back on the pre-pandemic sick pay terms in their contract.
Professor Philip Banfield, chair of the BMA council, warned: “The removal of Covid sick pay provisions means many staff still ill with long Covid will feel pressured back to work before they have fully recovered.
“For those whose symptoms mean they can’t go back, many are fearful about how they will pay mortgage or feed families – especially now in a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
“Putting healthcare workers in these situations is unacceptable. We need long term support for staff and a compensation scheme for those who need it.”
He said new Health Secretary Therese Coffey “must reinstate Covid sick pay, but also recommend to Parliament that long Covid should be made an occupational disease.
“To not do so is a slap in the face to staff who gave their all during the pandemic.”
Covid infections are rising again with 1.1 million testing positive in the week to September 20.
A government spokesman said the move back to normal sick pay provided NHS staff with generous support. He said there was a “strong financial safety net” for anyone with long Covid “including Universal Credit ”.
