When Cass Went To Holyrood

Cass had a busy day yesterday, on top of working on the Pension Survey Results!

The Case Study Report and Briefing is coming, but due to health and other commitments related to Long Covid, it had to be put on the back burner.

Cass, representing the Keyworker Petition Campaign team, attended the Scottish Parliament to take part in an event organised by Long Covid Scotland to raise awareness of the issues facing the LC community in Scotland and challenge MSPs and ministers to do better. They asked Jennie Minto about long term funding for Long Covid and the specialities who will also have to provide clinical care for some of the damage done by Covid. Cass doesn’t feel the answer was good enough and intends to pursue this further in a few months.

Cass spoke to a range of MSPs, some of who were on the now-defunct Covid Recovery Committee (and who organised a Long Covid Inquiry). Some of these individuals now sit on committees related to the Scottish Economy and they are worried about the impact Long Covid is having on the economy; Cass was able to speak to them about the German findings showing how Long Covid is directly affecting their economy and the situation facing many Keyworkers: discrimination, job losses, unable to get our pensions and so on. They also spoke to Annie Wells about the barriers they have faced in getting care within their own health board, including prescription exception refusal and overall lack of services. Cass considers a highlight getting a huge hug from one of the Conveners of the Scottish Parliament Long Covid Cross Party Group; they had not seen Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP in person for four years. He seemed shocked to see how Cass has deteriorated and now needs a power chair to even leave their home.

Cass was also delighted to meet some fantastic Keyworkers at the event, some of whom Cass has now known for a few years and one who they’d personally helped signpost to support and advice. (Cass were also slightly alarmed that people knew who they were on sight!).

Cass has had a chat about the recent Keyworker Petition Survey into Pensions with a lot of people and as soon as it’s ready for release, there are many individuals who want to see it. Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland did get a quick skim read of it and are keen to see it when it’s ready for formal release. They were represented by someone Cass knew through their pre-Covid, local political equality and diversity work!

All in all, Cass is tired from all the document preparing, attending the event and wishes they got more photos of themselves with politicians and the meeting itself, but it is what it is. The team will link to photos and media stories as they appear so you can see them (though Cass has developed serious stealth abilities in their power chair when in crowds…).

The Keyworker Petition Campaign team stands with everyone in the Scottish Long Covid community; we know how hard a time you’re having of it. We were all horrified to hear about your ongoing experiences during the debate in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, brought by Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP on Long Covid.

Next up for Cass is representing the Scottish Healthcare Workers Coalition at the Scottish Covid Inquiry and finishing up their personal witness statement.

Thank you so much for your support and contributions - those of you who have so kindly shared your stories and completed surveys have given us data that governments refuse to collect - it makes a difference. It means we can go to politicians and challenge the messages they’re putting out. We can challenge their false narrative. I think we are starting to get the overall message over. We are doing what we can.

Thanks also to our very patient case studies for the forthcoming briefing; it is much appreciated.

Until Next Time! Keep faith. This is a long road.