Beyond the pandemic: The Long-Covid problem

Did you know there is currently a push being created by employment legislators to define and categorise Long-Covid to assist in HR advice, with the possibility of registering it as a disability?

This pandemic has unsurprisingly created a host of new processes and hoops for us to jump through, both professionally and personally. 

While it’s perhaps a little difficult to measure the cost personally, we are certainly able to measure the cost to businesses. Issues with employees suffering the after-effects of Covid-19 are rising and it’s no surprise at this moment in time. 

Businesses are seeing attendances fall dramatically, as well as productivity levels dropping like never before.

As employers, of course we cannot control the new Employer Legislation however we are able to help our businesses maximise their productivity by making well informed decisions about how to support employees who are in imperfect health due to Covid-19. 

Did you also know that there are likely to be more “Long-Covid” sufferers without a positive test than with one?

This means that as well as dealing with employees that we know to be struggling with Covid issues, there’s still a huge danger that we have undiagnosed staff members that are too, struggling. 

With this in mind and the current pressure on businesses, many employers may not have a large capacity to provide alternative duties or redeployment. The answer to this? Change the situation!

We’re able to offer primary investigations to exclude serious pathology and exclude other potential cause diagnoses (known as Safety Netting). 

1. Onward referral to GP for further investigations
2. Breathing technique re-education (this is complex and needs careful analysis and correction)
3. Pacing and fitness rehab
4. Thorax/chest mobilisation
5. Musculoskeletal treatment
6. Referral to other services eg counselling/CBT, nutritional therapy for those that need it

We have found that using a screening tool prior to any appointment has become a very important feature of our practice. It ensures we gather lots of information on the person and their post-Covid-19 rehabilitation needs. It helps us to filter through and ensure we have the correct patient in front of us and not those who are either unsuitable or too medically acute, i.e. need medical help. 

We are happy to help screen any employee unfortunate enough to possibly need Covid-Rehab and we don’t work on a retainer basis.

Take good care and stay safe!

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