While many people feel better in a few days or weeks and most will make a full recovery within 12 weeks, for some people, symptoms can last longer. In some cases, people can suffer symptoms, including respiratory and mental health conditions, for months. I believe it is important to recognise this and offer the right support to people who have long-term symptoms.
The network of more than 80 specialist assessment service clinics to support patients suffering so-called 'long COVID' is an important way of helping those experiencing the debilitating effects of the virus months after being infected. The clinics bring together doctors, nurses, therapists and other specialists to carry out assessments of those experiencing enduring symptoms. NHS England has provided £10m to fund these clinics, which will benefit people across the UK living with the condition.
There is of course still more we can learn about long COVID, so I warmly welcome research funding commitments of £50 million to support a range of projects. Nearly £20 million has been announced for an extensive programme of 15 new research studies. The projects will focus on better understanding and identification of long COVID, identifying effective treatments, improving home monitoring and self-management of symptoms and better integrating specialist, hospital and community services for those suffering with long COVID. I am particularly encouraged by the STIMULATE-ICP project at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust which will be the largest long COVID trial to date, recruiting more than 4,500 people with the condition.
I agree that it is vital we better understand the physical, psychological and rehabilitation needs for those experiencing Long COVID, which is why I firmly support this ongoing research to improve our understanding.