Jo Platt, the MP for Leigh and Atherton, welcomed The Long Covid Support team to Parliament today, to discuss the next stage of their campaign.
Jo, who herself has suffered the effects of Long Covid, has been a long-term supporter of the group.
There are currently in excess of two million people in the UK, both adults and children, dealing with Long Covid. The impact of it reaches far and wide, with knock-on effects on families, carers, the health service, education, businesses, and the economy to the extent of billions of pounds annually. Covid-19 is still an issue too, so sadly, more people continue to develop it.
Jo met with the Long Covid Support team to discuss forming an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Long Covid. It’s hoped that the APPG will help to support constituents, raise awareness and to identify how they can make a cross-party difference. The group will aim to influence action and protocols that will help to improve individual lives – and to benefit the country as a whole.
Jo Platt said: “I know first hand how debilitating Long Covid can be. When I developed it, I felt isolated and alone. However, The Long Covid Support team helped me to feel seen, heard and understood. I want to do all I can to help them to continue to support the two million people that are suffering at the hands of Long Covid.”