Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support (a) children and (b) other people with long covid.

NHS England has invested significantly in supporting people with long COVID. This includes setting up specialist post-COVID services nationwide for adults, and children and young people, developing digital self-management tools, and investing in ensuring general practice teams are equipped to support people affected by the condition. As of 1 April 2024, there were over 90 adult post-COVID services across England along with an additional 10 children and young people’s hubs.

From April 2024, in line with the National Health Service’s operating framework and the establishment of integrated care systems, commissioning of post-COVID services has been the responsibility of integrated care boards. This is being supported by ongoing funding, and the expectation is that dedicated services should continue to be offered to support people with long COVID. The Government has also invested over £50 million in research through two specific funding calls to better understand long COVID and how to treat it.