More than one in four UK healthcare workers have been affected by long Covid with symptoms lasting beyond three months, according to an NHS research programme involving a UCL team.
The latest REACH-OUT report, published by the NHS Race and Health Observatory in a collaboration between UCL, the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham, aimed to understand how healthcare workers have been affected by long Covid.
The mixed-methods study collected data from 2022 to 2025 and included a systematic review of research studies, analyses of survey data from over 11,500 UK healthcare workers, and qualitative interviews with healthcare workers and their managers and support networks.
The results of research studies with 6,418 healthcare workers across the globe found that around 40% had long Covid an average of 22 weeks after contracting Covid-19. Among those followed up for 52 weeks after their initial Covid-19 symptoms, 26.5% had long Covid.
The most common symptoms included fatigue, neurological symptoms such as brain fog, headaches, loss of smell or taste, muscle pain, and shortness of breath.
The UK survey data showed that between 23% and 27% healthcare workers had long Covid. Female healthcare workers, along with those in nursing, allied health or administrative roles were the most likely to experience long Covid.
Vaccination against Covid showed a dose-responsive protective effect against long Covid: the more vaccinations a healthcare worker had received, the lower their odds of having Covid.
Interview data suggested long Covid resulted in healthcare workers being absent from work, or staying in work but experiencing guilt, stigma and blame, which manifested as an internalised pressure to continue performing as normal so as not to be seen to be exaggerating the severity of their condition.
Interviewees discussed the limited understanding of long COVID among clinicians and managers and "inconsistent and insufficient support" available for those with long COVID working in the NHS.
Professor Katherine Woolf (UCL Medical School) said: "This research highlights how much impact the Covid pandemic continues to have on healthcare workers, with up to one in four still experiencing symptoms following infection.
"Supporting those affected and preventing similar impacts on healthcare staff in future pandemics should remain a priority."
NICE defines 'long Covid' as signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute Covid-19. It includes both ongoing symptomatic Covid-19 (from 4 to 12 weeks) and post-Covid-19 syndrome (12 weeks or more).
UK data suggests that long Covid represents a substantial, prolonged burden on care, with some of those afflicted reporting symptoms lasting over a year which affect their daily function.
Recommendations from the REACH-OUT research programme include the implementation of flexible return-to-work pathways including reduced hours and hybrid working if possible.
The report also recommends carrying out further research with an ethnically diverse set of healthcare workers and their organisations to co-design and evaluate culturally sensitive support models.
Professor Habib Naqvi, chief executive, NHS Race and Health Observatory, said: "People from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds shouldered a disproportionate burden in the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is a clear and urgent need for improved workplace adjustments, tailored support for the workforce, and increased learning and understanding of the impact of long Covid for the wider health and care system. We simply cannot afford for history to repeat itself."
