Vital Long Covid Services Closing Across the UK Despite Ongoing Need, Our New Report Warns
Read the full report here: Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view
A new report from Long Covid Support & Long Covid Kids reveals that specialist Long Covid services across the UK are shutting down or at risk of closure, leaving thousands without access to essential care.
At its peak, there were over 120 Long Covid services nationwide, but now:
- Only 46 have confirmed they will remain open.
- 31 are under review.
- 24 have already closed or are set to close.
- 20 did not respond.
Quality of care is also a major concern:
28% of adults & 26% of children with Long Covid told us they had never received an in-person or remote consultation - despite NHS guidelines requiring physician-led care.
The need for Long Covid care has not disappeared. In fact, it is growing. The latest ONS data shows that, as of March 2024, 2 million people in England and Scotland are living with Long Covid, including over 100,000 children. New cases continue to rise, with 178,000 new cases recorded in just 16 weeks of the ONS survey.
Dr Margaret O’Hara, Trustee & Co-founder, Long Covid Support, said:
“The NHS is under immense pressure, but closing Long Covid clinics is not the answer. These clinics have proven their value by improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare efficiency. Rather than closing them, effective treatment of Long Covid will allow thousands of affected individuals to take a more active role in the economy, in their communities, and in society - yielding significant financial benefits through increased autonomy and reduced costs of inactivity.”
Sammie McFarland, Founder & CEO of Long Covid Kids, said:
“Clinic closures must stop immediately, experienced staff must be retained, and closed clinics must reopen. More than 100,000 children and young people are living with Long Covid (ONS), yet the infrastructure needed to support those who require ongoing care into adulthood is being dismantled. Demand is growing, yet services are being cut instead of expanded. We need urgent action to keep clinics open and a long-term strategy for research, treatment, and specialist care.”
We are calling on policymakers and health authorities to:
- Halt clinic closures immediately and fully utilise allocated funding to maintain and improve services.
- Launch a comprehensive Long Covid surveillance system to track health, employment, education, and economic impacts.
- Develop and implement a National Long Covid Strategy to ensure the condition is properly managed, treated, and resourced.
Read the full report here: Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view
Executive summary: Disabled, discharged, and disappearing from view
Press release: Clinic Report Press Release
