Long Covid SOS, a UK based charity advocating for recognition, research and rehabilitation for people with Long Covid, announces its Bill of Rights. The Bill consists of five rights that Long Covid SOS believes every person with Long Covid is entitled to, and the charity calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Health Secretaries in the devolved nations, the NHS in all four nations of the UK and the National Institute of Health Research to guarantee them for all those impacted by this debilitating condition. 

The rights include the right to be believed, the right to a diagnosis, the right to support, the right to safe healthcare, and the right to funded research. Although these might be considered basic givens for most people in the UK, Long Covid SOS believes that many people with Long Covid are not treated in accordance with these rights, and is launching this petition calling for them to be guaranteed. This petition is addressed to the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and the UK’s National Institute of Health Research. 

Please support our Bill of Rights during International Long Covid Awareness Month 2024 and beyond by signing this petition and help to bring our Bill to the notice of policy makers, healthcare decision makers and research funders.

www.longcovidsos.org

Here is the full text of our Bill of Rights which you can also view here:

The RIGHT to be believed
People with Long Covid symptoms have the right to be believed and treated with respect when they seek medical care and other forms of support.

The RIGHT to a diagnosis 
People presenting with Long Covid symptoms have the right to be fully assessed with relevant medical investigations, and to be given a diagnosis of Long Covid where appropriate.

The RIGHT to support 
People with Long Covid have the right to claim benefits, reasonable adjustments and flexibility at work, and access to full social support, without risking symptom exacerbation.

The RIGHT to safe healthcare 
People with Long Covid have the right to safe evidence-based treatments and require a multidisciplinary approach. Patients should not have to self-advocate for care and clean air. 

The RIGHT to funded research
Funding for ALL types of Long Covid research must be accelerated. Patient and public involvement is a necessity in the design and conduct of Long Covid research.

We believe everyone with Long Covid should have these rights. We call upon the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the NHS and the National Institute of Health Research to guarantee these rights for every person living with Long Covid.

NB we are not asking for donations to our charity on this page or after you have signed  - optional donations all go to change.org

If you would like to donate to our charity please go to www.longcovidsos.org/donate