If you have had prolonged symptoms following a viral infection over the past year – and these symptoms have lasted more than 12 weeks - then Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen would like to hear from you.
Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen is the independent health and social care champion for people in Blackburn with Darwen. We want to speak to people who are suffering from the long-term effect of viral infections, like Covid, so we can use your experiences to help us improve health services in the borough.
Covid-19 is raising new questions about how people can be supported and posing new challenges for services. There is much more to learn about how people are affected long-term after having a virus and how they are supported by health services. According to the Office of National Statistics more than one in every 100 people in the UK report experiencing long term symptoms after having had Covid-19 with symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue, headaches, tiredness, inability to concentrate, shortness of breath and aching muscles.
New research from the Imperial College London-led REACT-3 study shows there could be around 2 million people in England experiencing Long-Covid symptoms.
To help Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen and local health service providers support you better, those who have been affected by Long Covid are being encouraged to take part in our study. A link to the survey can be found here.