Nurses with long Covid denied access to financial support, says union boss

Nurses suffering from long Covid are being denied access to financial support, a union leader has said.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said that since 2022 it has received more than 2,200 calls from staff seeking support.

The college is urging the Government to take action to recognise Covid as having been acquired at work.

RCN general secretary Nicola Ranger said: “Nursing staff made incredible sacrifices during the pandemic, some tragically losing their lives, whilst others had their careers turned upside down by long Covid.

“Our pandemic nursing heroes didn’t want to stop working but that is what the devastating impact of long Covid has been.

“Some can no longer climb stairs or even leave the house. It’s shameful that our own Government isn’t making this simple change which would make accessing vital benefits so much easier.”

The RCN said that more than 50 countries have recognised long Covid as an occupational disease, including France, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium, allowing health and care workers to more easily access financial support.

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country