A Long Covid campaigner has backed NHS doctors’ plan to sue the government.
Sammie McFarland, from Weymouth, caught Covid in 2020, along with her now 18-year-old daughter Kitty, and the pair have been suffering with debilitating symptoms that have come on from developing Long Covid.
She has been an active campaigner and researcher for the condition, particularly in children, and is part of a group that is seeking to create awareness of the condition.
The Long Covid Groups, of which Sammie and her charity Long Covid Kids are part of, has been speaking at the inquiry looking into the government’s handling of the pandemic.
READ: Weymouth woman's fight against long Covid amid inquiry
Sammie has now backed NHS doctors who plan to sue the government for inadequate PPE during the pandemic. They believe it resulted in them getting sick and are now left with disabilities and are struggling financially.
She said: “Absolutely I fully support it. These people, these healthcare workers were occupationally exposed, dealing with the firefighting of the early pandemic.
“They were there to support the sick and injured now they are sick and injured through no fault of their own.”
The plight of the NHS staff members mirrors that of many in the Long Covid community and Sammie remains steadfast in making sure the difficulties faced by children with the condition are brought to light.
Her own charity offers a support network to many children who have to live with symptoms that mean they are unable to live the lives they once had and it is their future that worries her the most.
READ: Weymouth mother develops resource for kids with long Covid
She added: “We are seeing a lot of financial hardship in the Long Covid community.
“We heard in the Covid inquiry that the government did have the information on the post viral condition and long-term effects of long Covid and were under prepared.
"We are already hearing in the Long Covid community that they can’t get insurance.
“If our children are not able to contribute and live independent lives, and continue to need access to healthcare, how are they going to pay to for their treatment?
“I am concerned about how our injured children will become independent in the future, if their disability would be recognised and if they would have access to the health care they need."
The Long Covid Groups that Sammie is a part of launched a new campaign to coincide with Boris Johnson’s appearance at the Covid Inquiry in December.
The groups commissioned a ‘digivan’ which toured London streets around the inquiry venue with a powerful set of images informing the public that anyone can get develop the condition.
A letter was also hand delivered to prime minister Rishi Sunak demanding increased investment into urgent biomedical research and clinical trials for long Covid.
At the time of the launch of the campaign, Sammie said: “As a mother of a child living with the condition since 2020, I urgently draw attention to the stark realities faced by our youngest generation.
“New data evidence shows that 40% of children aren’t improving. These statistics underscore a life-changing impact on these young lives, yet the government remains silent on the issue.
“Reduced school attendance, diminished opportunities, increased disability, and heightened health needs are the everyday reality for these children, who developed a preventable disease due to ignored science.”
To find out more about the work Sammie does and to learn more about Long Covid visit www.longcovidkids.org/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article