REHABILITATION


THE LONG POST-COVID ROAD


Long Covid is affecting people across the UK and police officers are no exception, which is where an innovative new programme comes in


A new long Covid rehabilitation programme has been set up for police officers and their families. Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing


Service, has teamed up with Nuffield Health to launch an online support platform to help those who are finding it difficult to recover from the long-term effects of Covid-19. It is estimated 1.3 million people in the UK are living with ongoing symptoms after contracting the virus, including:


• Fatigue, muscle pain and weakness • Shortness of breath • Anxiety and low mood • Memory loss • Sleep problems


Offering a unique blend of physical and emotional support, the self-managed programme can be tailored to an individual’s needs and provides the tools to help people recover and return to good health and wellbeing.


The 12-week programme is delivered through the online Rehabilitation Hub


which is available via smartphone, tablet or computer. Three digital journals will guide people through the programme and provide information, techniques and activities on areas to aid recovery.


Andy Rhodes, Oscar Kilo service


director, said: “I’m delighted we are working alongside Nuffield Health to bring this rehabilitation programme to UK policing. “There is still much to learn about the


long-term impact of Covid on our physical and psychological health. We recognise the need for and importance of providing high quality support for our people, and their family members, who may be suffering from long Covid. “We all have a role to play in supporting sufferers of long Covid and we hope this programme will help increase knowledge and awareness, as well as directly help individuals who are finding it difficult to recover.”


To find out more and access the programme, visit the Covid-19 Hub at www.oscarkilo.org.uk


LONG COVID FACTS AND FIGURES


• Long Covid means symptoms are persisting for more than four weeks


• 64% of long Covid sufferers report that it interferes with their


• 20% of long Covid sufferers report that their ability to undertake daily


daily activities.


• Fatigue is the most common symptom, at 51% of self-reported


activities has been “limited a lot”.


• The greatest prevalence of long Covid is in females aged 35 to 69,


and it disproportionately affects deprived areas.


Source Office for National Statistics study, January 2022


19 | POLICE | APRIL 2022


cases, followed by loss of sense of smell (37%), shortness of breath (36%) and difficulty concentrating (28%).


after the first coronavirus infection and they cannot be explained by something else.


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