HSE evidence report looks at return to work after Long Covid
Long Covid is having a significant impact on people ’ s ability to return to work , and a new evidence report published by the Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ) aims to provide further insight into current literature , to identify gaps in the literature , and formulate recommendations for any additional guidance needed .
The report summarises the evidence in the published scientific literature to 8 March 2021 on the impact of Long Covid on work , the workplace and return to work interventions . It also reviews transferable evidence for other illnesses and interventions where symptoms are similar .
The literature search found that symptoms that seemed to have the greatest impact on work and return to work were fatigue , cognitive dysfunction ( such as difficulty concentrating and memory loss ), and changes in taste and smell .
In addition , individuals with Long Covid experienced problems returning to work or were unable to return .
It suggests that return to work interventions could include working reduced hours , flexitime or working from home , moving to a role with lower physical or mental strain , and phased returns . It also states that relapses could occur for those who returned to work , triggered by mental strains and stress .
Professor David Fishwick , HSE Chief Medical Adviser said : ‘ Drawing together the evidence base is really important to define the best way forward for workers suffering from Long Covid , to best help them feel better and return to work healthy .’
Read the full report and findings www . hse . gov . uk / coronavirus / assets / docs / return-to-work-after-long-covid . pdf .
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Scottish Parliament hears evidence from RCOT on addressing children ’ s health and wellbeing
On 11 January , RCOT gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament ’ s Health Social Care and Sports Committee . A panel of health experts addressed a number of key issues concerning children in Scotland . MSPs on the committee asked four crucial questions .
These were : How can the best opportunity be given to improve the health and wellbeing of children over the next five years ? What are the current challenges for improvement during this period ? Where are the best opportunities to improve the wellbeing of young people ? How does addressing poverty lead to improved health and social care outcomes ?
Susanne Shields , Care Group Lead , Occupational Therapy – Children and Young People , NHS Lanarkshire , gave evidence on behalf of RCOT and was able to answer these questions in relation to occupational therapy interventions .
There was also discussion regarding how education , leisure activities and social communications have shifted from the physical to the virtual world .
Suzanne said : ‘ School closures due to lockdown have led to a physical impact from activities that children have been unable to participate in .
‘ One of the simplest tasks is having the balance and coordination to get dressed and be able to hold a pencil to write . Children who would not normally suffer with these difficulties will be coming to us . That ’ s just a small snapshot of the developmental concerns impacted by the lockdown .’
Other important topics put forward to the panel and discussed further was the impact of social media on children ’ s mental and physical wellbeing , health inequality , the increase in educational attainment gaps that are leaving children with the greatest needs at disadvantage and a focus on giving children a voice to ensure that these services make a difference to their lives in a positive way .
Watch the full debate www . scottishparliament . tv / meeting / health-social-care-and-sport-committeejanuary-11-2022
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Drawing together the evidence base is really important to define the best way forward for workers suffering from Long Covid , to best help them feel better and return to work healthy .”
10 OTnews February 2022