As 172,000 suffer Long Covid, Yousaf must come good on promises

Following new statistics by the Office for National Statistics which show that 172,000 Scots are suffering from Long Covid, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today urged the First Minister to “come good” on his promise to work on increasing funding for the illness.  

Analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that Scotland has committed just £3m to tackling Long Covid in this financial year, compared to £90m in England and £5m in Wales.  

On 23rd March, Humza Yousaf told the Covid-19 Recovery Committee that he would “look to see where we could possibly increase our funding for specifically Long Covid.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats are also calling for: 

• Specialist Long Covid clinics in every health board  

• Training of Long Covid community nurses to offer in-home support

• Country-wide access to Long Covid physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary rehab

Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 

“So many lives have been turned upside down by this horrifically debilitating condition.  Despite that, the Government can only manage a limp and lacklustre level of care.  Right now, many Scots would be better off moving to England for support.

“Humza Yousaf told the Covid-19 Recovery Committee that he would look to improve funding for Long Covid. It’s time to come good on those promises. People can’t afford to be put on hold without solutions for any longer.  

“ We now need to see the delivery of comprehensive and accessible care. That means dedicated Long Covid clinics across the country and Scotland-wide access to physiotherapy and multidisciplinary rehab.”