Helping NHS staff to find their feet again
A long COVID rehabilitation support programme for NHS staff.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
NHS Charities Together funded the support staff’s roles, including Rebecca’s.
Lisa had been working for the NHS for 20 years when she found her life drastically impacted by long COVID.
She was off work for more than two years. However, with support from Rebecca, she was able to return to work in a new role that she loves.
Lisa said:
“I don’t think people realise how long COVID can alter your life and without the support of this service, I would be completely lost.
“Long COVID has affected my life drastically. I lost my hair; my voice box is strained with permanent damage to my speech, and I have constant neurological nerve pain in my joints along with fatigue and shortness of breath.
“I was assigned a lady called Rebecca who checked in with me every four weeks and supported me both physically and mentally. She was really helpful and put me on a therapy course with others who were also going through long COVID. I met a group of amazing women who have now become lifelong friends, and it was so encouraging to talk with others who knew exactly what I was going through.
“Long COVID can be incredibly isolating. Your home becomes your safety net and Rebecca was able to ease me back into mainstream society as well as prepare me for getting back to work. She would always give me advice and recommendations and I am so grateful for her. She still stays in touch now to ensure I am still getting the support that I need.
“Rebecca also supported me in getting medical appointments. She was able to book me in with a respiratory physio to help with my breathing as I rely on inhalers to get me through the day.
“My previous role was a healthcare assistant and there was no way I could physically do the demands of that role anymore. Rebecca recommended I be medically redeployed. I now have a desk admin job which I am super happy with, and it suits all of my needs.
"I don’t want to even think about what my life would look like if I had never had access to this service.
“Without this service, I would have either lost my job or had to go back to a role that I couldn’t physically do. This service puts the recommendations in place for staff so they can return to work comfortably in roles that are most suitable for them and on phased returns.”
