Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 24, 2024 2:03:58 GMT
More than one in six people in parts of Greater Manchester have Long Covid - rates in full, by area - Published Aug 23, 2024
More than one in six patients in some parts of Greater Manchester have Long Covid - with the north west's figures the highest in the country, data has revealed.
A new report by Health Equity North has revealed striking inequalities in rates of Long Covid across the country, with a clear North-South divide.
Their analysis of GP Patient Survey data from 2022 found the North West had the highest number of people reporting Long Covid symptoms - at 5.5 per cent - followed by the North East and Yorkshire at 5.1 per cent.
In some Greater Manchester GP practices, more than one in six patients, around 18 per cent, reported having Long Covid - including Leigh Family Practice in Wigan and The Avenue Medical Centre in Manchester.
The regions with the lowest rates were the South West (3.4 per cent) and the South East (3.6 per cent). The average for England as a whole was 4.4 per cent.
Long Covid includes physical, cognitive and mental impairments, with brain fog, fatigue, breathlessness, low mood, and depression among the most common symptoms.
Across England, 1.9 million people were experiencing a myriad of self-reported Long Covid symptoms as of March 2023, with 79 per cent saying it has had a negative impact on their day-to-day activities.
Fatigue was named as the most common symptom, and over half reported reduced functionality in their everyday activities, which resulted in their inability to return to work.
Many of the people involved in the research had been demoted, fired, forced to resign or switch to part-time work because of Long Covid.
The report’s findings have prompted calls for more research into Long Covid, and for the Government to implement care plans to facilitate rehabilitation and management of the condition.
Dr Stephanie Scott, lead author of the report and Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Newcastle University, said: “Long Covid is a complex condition that goes beyond physical and mental symptoms, affecting other parts of people’s lives including their sense of self and professional identity. This can then lead to experiences of social isolation.
“Currently, there is little evidence-based treatment for Long Covid and the health system focuses on symptom management. This needs to change. Our research has offered a glimpse into the reality of what it is like to live with this often-debilitating condition and the knock-on effects it has on people’s personal and professional lives.
“I hope that the evidence presented in this report cuts through to policymakers and gets the attention it deserves so more research into Long Covid is funded, and so measures can be put into place which enables employers to better support their workforce with Long Covid.”
Highest rates in Greater Manchester
GP Practice - per cent of patients with Long Covid
Leigh Family Practice, Leigh - 18 per cent
The Avenue Medical Centre, Blackley - 18 per cent
Lilford & Pennington Park Surgery, Leigh - 16 per cent
Dr Gwd Bhima, Rochdale - 15 per cent
Brinnington Surgery, Stockport - 14 per cent
Family Surgery, Clayton - 13 per cent
The Junction Surgery, Middleton - 13 per cent
Medlock Vale Medical Practice, Droylsden - 13 per cent
Ordsall Health Surgery, Salford, - 13 per cent
Alexandra Group Med Pract, Oldham - 13 per cent
Woodbank Surgery, Bury - 13 per cent
Heywood Health, Heywood - 13 per cent
More than one in six patients in some parts of Greater Manchester have Long Covid - with the north west's figures the highest in the country, data has revealed.
A new report by Health Equity North has revealed striking inequalities in rates of Long Covid across the country, with a clear North-South divide.
Their analysis of GP Patient Survey data from 2022 found the North West had the highest number of people reporting Long Covid symptoms - at 5.5 per cent - followed by the North East and Yorkshire at 5.1 per cent.
In some Greater Manchester GP practices, more than one in six patients, around 18 per cent, reported having Long Covid - including Leigh Family Practice in Wigan and The Avenue Medical Centre in Manchester.
The regions with the lowest rates were the South West (3.4 per cent) and the South East (3.6 per cent). The average for England as a whole was 4.4 per cent.
Long Covid includes physical, cognitive and mental impairments, with brain fog, fatigue, breathlessness, low mood, and depression among the most common symptoms.
Across England, 1.9 million people were experiencing a myriad of self-reported Long Covid symptoms as of March 2023, with 79 per cent saying it has had a negative impact on their day-to-day activities.
Fatigue was named as the most common symptom, and over half reported reduced functionality in their everyday activities, which resulted in their inability to return to work.
Many of the people involved in the research had been demoted, fired, forced to resign or switch to part-time work because of Long Covid.
The report’s findings have prompted calls for more research into Long Covid, and for the Government to implement care plans to facilitate rehabilitation and management of the condition.
Dr Stephanie Scott, lead author of the report and Senior Lecturer in Public Health at Newcastle University, said: “Long Covid is a complex condition that goes beyond physical and mental symptoms, affecting other parts of people’s lives including their sense of self and professional identity. This can then lead to experiences of social isolation.
“Currently, there is little evidence-based treatment for Long Covid and the health system focuses on symptom management. This needs to change. Our research has offered a glimpse into the reality of what it is like to live with this often-debilitating condition and the knock-on effects it has on people’s personal and professional lives.
“I hope that the evidence presented in this report cuts through to policymakers and gets the attention it deserves so more research into Long Covid is funded, and so measures can be put into place which enables employers to better support their workforce with Long Covid.”
Highest rates in Greater Manchester
GP Practice - per cent of patients with Long Covid
Leigh Family Practice, Leigh - 18 per cent
The Avenue Medical Centre, Blackley - 18 per cent
Lilford & Pennington Park Surgery, Leigh - 16 per cent
Dr Gwd Bhima, Rochdale - 15 per cent
Brinnington Surgery, Stockport - 14 per cent
Family Surgery, Clayton - 13 per cent
The Junction Surgery, Middleton - 13 per cent
Medlock Vale Medical Practice, Droylsden - 13 per cent
Ordsall Health Surgery, Salford, - 13 per cent
Alexandra Group Med Pract, Oldham - 13 per cent
Woodbank Surgery, Bury - 13 per cent
Heywood Health, Heywood - 13 per cent