Dozens of healthcare workers suffering from long Covid are pursuing compensation through the High Court, alleging negligence on the part of the NHS and other employers.
The group of approximately 70 individuals claims to have endured life-altering disabilities due to inadequate protection against Covid-19 while on duty.
Scheduled to be heard alongside a similar case involving another cohort of healthcare professionals grappling with long Covid, the claimants anticipate a High Court hearing in October, potentially leading to a full trial in 2025/26.
Central to their argument is the assertion that frontline workers were not equipped with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Their plight underscores broader concerns about the risks faced by healthcare staff during the crisis, with repercussions extending beyond immediate health consequences.
“We were not protected while working on the frontline, while doing our jobs,” voiced one of the claimants in an interview with the BBC. Others lamented early retirement or forced resignation due to the debilitating effects of the condition, which currently affects an estimated 1.9 million individuals in the UK.
Demonstrating a commitment to employee health and well-being
In response, representatives of the entities being sued emphasised their commitment to employee health and well-being. Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser at the CIPD, expressed concern over the impact of long Covid on individuals’ health, emphasising the importance of supportive workplace practices.
“It’s concerning to see the impact of long Covid on people’s health and sickness absence, as well as potential early exit from the labour market,” Suff stated. She outlined guiding principles for managing employees with long Covid, including provisions for adequate sick pay, compassionate absence management, and flexible workplace adjustments.
As the legal battle unfolds, attention remains focused on the broader implications for workplace safety and the responsibilities of employers in safeguarding their employees’ health during public health crises.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
