Holyrood’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee will today launch a new inquiry on long COVID and, in an informal parliament session this morning, will hear from Scots living with the condition.

As official figures estimate that around 187,000 Scots – 3.5% of people in Scotland have self-reported long COVID symptoms, a new parliamentary inquiry on how best to tackle long COVID is launched.

Issuing a statement today, the Scottish parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee will investigate what action the Scottish government is taking to address the issues facing those living with long COVID and post-COVID syndrome in Scotland.

Commenting ahead of the inquiry launch Siobhian Brown MSP, Committee Convener, said:

“Thousands of people across Scotland are currently living with long COVID and post-COVID syndrome, which can be debilitating for many people, impacting on their ability to work, study or provide care for family members.

“The Committee and I look forward to welcoming some of those living with long COVID to Holyrood to hear about their experiences directly and give those living with symptoms a voice from the outset of this important inquiry.”

An informal engagement session with people either living with or directly affected by the impact of long COVID will be held this morning in the Scottish parliament as the inquiry is launched.

Extreme tiredness, loss of smell, muscle aches, and shortness of breath are among the most commonly reported symptoms of long COVID. However, other symptoms following a COVID-19 infection can include problems with memory and concentration, chest pain or tightness, difficulty sleeping and mental health concerns including depression and anxiety.

The long-term impacts of COVID-19 are often referred to interchangeably as long-COVID and post-COVID syndrome and official guidance says the condition is evidenced by symptoms that developed during an initial COVID-19 illness that then continue for more than 12 weeks, unexplained by an alternative diagnosis.

The Committee’s long COVID inquiry will focus on themes of awareness and recognition; therapy and rehabilitation; and study and research. An overview of the inquiry and the Committee's related correspondence on long COVID can be found here.

Following initial launch session, the Committee is inviting individuals, groups and organisations are encouraged to respond to its call for views, which will remain open until 10th February 2023 which will feed into its final inquiry report. Ahead of a final evidence session with the Scottish government, the inquiry will hear formal evidence from experts and those with lived experience throughout its February and March Committee meetings.

Committee Convener Siobhian Brown MSP said:

“The Committee is interested to hear views on whether there is adequate awareness of the condition, readily available help and advice for those impacted, as well as ongoing research into long COVID, to support individuals’ recovery and also Scotland’s recovery from the long reach of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Our inquiry will look to speak directly to those impacted by long COVID over the coming weeks and take evidence on what additional steps the Scottish government could take to support those living with the condition.” 

Once the inquiry has held its final evidence session with government representatives, the Committee will make recommendations to government and seek to bring these before the Scottish parliament for debate.

To submit views to the inquiry, individual Scots and organisations can complete the long COVID form on the parliament's website, containing around fifteen questions.

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