Long Covid support group set up to support officers and staff

A LONG Covid support group has been set up by the National Police Wellbeing Service for officers and staff needing rehabilitation after contracting the virus.

The 12-week programme, which can be accessed online, has been set up for anyone suffering from fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, shortness of breath, anxiety and low mood, memory loss or sleep problems. It can also help officers who find they are generally unable to return to the activities or lifestyle they had pre-illness.

Along with Nuffield Health, the Oscar Kilo programme offers weekly rehabilitation exercises, including a tailored online exercise class – delivered by a Rehab Specialist, on-demand work, specific to ability, ‘build your own activity’ session to aid recovery and emotional wellbeing activities and webinars.

Hampshire Constabulary also runs a support group, and while a number of police officers and staff have been affected Zoë Wakefield, Hampshire Police Federation Chair, said officers have largely managed to avoid long Covid.

A number of members of staff are suffering however, she added.

To access the Hampshire Long Covid Support Group, which provides support, signposting, virtual meetings and support groups, contact the force wellbeing web.

To access the national programme, go to: https://oscarkilo.org.uk/covid-19-rehabilitation-programme-launched/

Andy Rhodes, service director for Oscar Kilo said: “I’m delighted that we are working alongside Nuffield Health to bring this rehabilitation programme to UK policing.

“There’s still much to learn about the long-term impact of Covid-19 on our physical and psychological health and we recognise the need and importance of providing high quality support for our people, and their family members, who may be suffering from ‘long Covid’.

“We all have a role to play in supporting sufferers of long Covid and we hope this programme will help increase knowledge and awareness, as well as directly help individuals who are finding it difficult to recover.”