Long COVID in general practice: an analysis of the equity of NHS England’s enhanced service specification

INTRODUCTION

On 5 September 2021, 1.7% of the UK population reported suffering from prolonged symptoms 4 weeks after COVID-19 infection, the syndrome becoming known as long COVID,¹ most commonly causing fatigue, headaches, and attention difficulties.²

Despite the vaccination programme, in the autumn of 2021 approximately 40 000 COVID-19 cases were still being recorded daily, of which an estimated 3.0–11.7% will subsequently develop long COVID.^3,4 Therefore, long COVID will continue to be a problem into the future.

Deprived populations have a greater prevalence of diseases, which render them at greater risk of serious illness with COVID-19, as well as social factors that increase viral exposure such as dense housing or occupational exposure.⁵ Meanwhile, the inverse care law means these populations have more limited access to healthcare services, demonstrated in part by the lower numbers of GPs per patient in deprived populations,^6,7

General practice is the first point of contact of the NHS for these patients. Therefore, the commissioning and funding of services in general practice for patients with long COVID needs to take account of these factors to prevent a continuation or exacerbation of the disproportionate COVID-19 impact on deprived populations.