25% Increase in Scots Living with Long COVID for over a Year 03 March 2022 An estimated 50,000 people living with Long Covid in Scotland have been affected by their symptoms for more than 12 months – up 25% (10,000) from last month 21% of people living with Long Covid in Scotland say their daily lives have been ‘affected a lot’ – compared with UK average of 18% As the numbers of people living with the long-term effects of Long Covid in Scotland continue to rise, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, who is caring for people with the condition, is calling for urgent action to make sure people get the help they desperately need. New estimates from the Office of National Statistics show that 50,000 people have been living with Long Covid for more than 12 months – a 25% increase (10,000) on last month’s figures. The charity, which set-up a Long Covid Support Service last year, jointly funded by the Scottish Government, has been campaigning for Ministers to make sure third sector services are better integrated with the NHS and Health and Social Care to avoid patients falling through the cracks. The charity fears they are still not reaching everyone who needs their support due to a lack of coordination between services because referral systems are not integrated. Lawrence Cowan, Campaigns Director at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “Month after month, more people in Scotland are estimated to be living with the debilitating effects of Long Covid for more than a year and they desperately need support. “Listening to people living with the condition, we know how hard it can be to live with Long Covid. People are not only facing life-changing symptoms, but they are also struggling to be heard and understood. They are exhausted and at their wits end. “We need a proper wraparound service for Long Covid between charities like ours and the NHS. It’s not right that people living with Long Covid are still battling for the care they need. Progress on this is just far too slow and we urgently need the Scottish Government’s help to get action. “In the meantime, we are urging people to contact our Long Covid Advice Line. We can help you manage symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and help you pace yourself to aid your recovery. No one should have to go through this alone.” If you are living with Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Long Covid Advice Line on 0808 801 0899 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk