£1.1 million given for Long Covid research

A new research project, known as LISTEN, has been awarded £1.1 million of UK government funding to support people with Long Covid

It is estimated that Long Covid affects at least 10% of people who test positive for Covid-19 and the latest figures suggest nearly a million people are living with the condition in the UK.

There are currently no real treatment options for the symptoms of Long Covid, so developing interventions to help people cope and overcome their condition is crucial.

LISTEN

This latest project, LISTEN, will involve designing and evaluating a self-management intervention for people suffering from Long Covid, which is likely to include a book, digital resources and a new training package for health professionals.

It is led by a team from St George’s, University of London and Kingston University and also involves Cardiff University. The UK government funding was provided through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Dr Berni Sewell, Senior Lecturer at the Swansea Centre for Health Economics, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has put into sharp focus how limited our health and care resources are. It is our responsibility to ensure every new intervention is not only effective but also cost-effective.

“Being involved as health economists in the LISTEN study is an amazing opportunity to support the development of an intervention that improves outcomes and experiences for this fast-growing patient group, whilst also ensuring we sustain our health service and quality of care for the future.”

Professor Fiona Jones from St George’s, University of London and Kingston University, said: “Thousands of people in this country are currently suffering from the effects of long Covid, with many people infected in the first wave still experiencing a significant impact on their daily lives.

“We need people to have access to skilled practitioners that are local to them – which our project intends to deliver.

“Our hope is that wherever you live, if you experience long Covid, you can get access to personalised self-management support, connecting you with a rehabilitation practitioner with deep understanding of the condition.”