Borough reaction and calls for more support as MPs discuss long Covid

Former Leigh MP Jo Platt and Wigan-born campaigner Louise Barnes, who have both been battling the condition, have spoken after the issue was raised in parliament.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Ms Platt, who is now the general manager at Leigh Spinners Mill, said it was vital that those still experiencing symptoms months after contracting the novel coronavirus continue to push politicians for more support.

She said too many sufferers were still struggling to get GPs and health professionals to recognise long Covid and there needed to be more support getting a network of clinics to help sufferers set up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Platt also urged politicians to ensure the voices of long Covid sufferers were prominently heard whenever decisions were being taken.

Jo Platt and Louise BarnesJo Platt and Louise Barnes
Jo Platt and Louise Barnes

People have been struggling with debilitating and long lists of symptoms for weeks and months after they initially fell ill with Covid-19.

However, Wigan-born campaigner Louise Barnes who founded the Post Covid Syndrome Support Group on Facebook said it was a shame the time given for discussion by MPs was constrained and there remains much work to do.

Ms Platt said: “What happens next on long Covid needs to be patient-led. We’re all experiencing it and we should be involved in research and part of what is happening to us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think any of the support groups would say exactly that. We should be at the forefront of what is going to go on.

“I’m also concerned that the Government has announced these clinics but the information isn’t trickling down to the primary care level. WWL has got one but I’ve still not got anything even though I wrote a letter for a referral.

“I’m very fortunate in that I have a fantastic GP who has listened to me from the early days, but there are a lot of other people who are still being dismissed as having anxiety or being told there is nothing wrong with them. That’s wrong and the messaging needs to be firmed up.

“Another thing is public health messaging, for it to be part of the briefings the Government has. People think it’s just mild if you don’t go to hospital or die and that’s not the case. We’ve got people 10 months on still unable to work or having ongoing symptoms.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There is not enough guidance outside of the online groups sharing information. People who are just going through this now have to find out simple things, like drinking lots of water and keeping hydrated but not drinking caffeine, or that stress makes things worse.”

Ms Platt said she understood the NHS is currently severely stretched due to the new variant of Covid-19 which caused numbers of people affected to rocket but said delays to developments such as the clinics added to the stress and the wait for long Covid sufferers.

Ms Barnes said there was still a long way to go and the debate could not include everyone who wanted to speak.

However, despite that the group’s prior lobbying of MPs did result in some of the points they wanted to raise being heard in the House of Commons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “The Post Covid Syndrome Support Group raised the issue of employers firing patients and the need for assistance with the DWP minister, Therese Coffey, back in summer. It is a relief that our hard work and campaigning is paying off.”

Ms Barnes said she hoped there would be future parliamentary discussions on long Covid and that health minister Matt Hancock would attend those.

If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.