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Long Covid patients report being gaslit about their illness, and feel increasingly let down by the health system. New research by Otago University, which for the first time investigated access to care by those with Long Covid, has found lack of support, unmet need, and inequity of care were common themes.
It details a number of recommendations for Government including greater investment in primary care, better training for the health workforce, and the creation of a public awareness campaign. Long Covid is the persistence of symptoms beyond 12 weeks following acute Covid 19 infection. It is estimated to affect one in ten people and can be extremely debilitating.
The research involved interviews with 18 people - two of whom were so fatigued a verbal interview could not be completed - and they had to provide written answers. Kathryn speaks to lead researcher for the project Dr Sarah Rhodes.
