Long-Covid (also known as Ongoing symptomatic Covid-19 or Post-Covid syndrome)

Long-Covid is a new condition and more will become known over time.  However here is what is known at the moment:

The time taken to recover from the initial Covid-19 infection is different for everyone, but for many people symptoms have resolved by 12 weeks.

The likelihood of developing long-term symptoms is not thought to be linked to the severity of the initial Covid-19 infection.

There are lots of different symptoms that people can experience following Covid-19 infection - Common symptoms of ongoing symptomatic Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 Syndrome - and those with underlying health problems may find these worsen with Covid-19 infection.

People who develop new or ongoing symptoms may find these can change, affecting them in different ways and at different times.

When to seek medical help

People who are concerned about new or ongoing symptoms four weeks or more after their acute Covid-19 infection should seek medical advice from their GP.

Following appropriate investigations (dependent on your symptoms) and confirmation that these are not being caused by another health condition, you may be referred to a multidisciplinary assessment service (Long-Covid clinic) by your GP.  

Impact on work

Talk to your line manager if you are finding managing work with your symptoms difficult. Adjustments to your work can then be reviewed to support you whilst you are still recovering.

Your line manager may also wish to refer you to Occupational Health for further advice and guidance on support and adjustments for you.

If you are returning from a period of absence then a flexible phased return is likely to support you managing this transition whilst you may have ongoing symptoms.

Further information and support

• Health Assured EAP
• Your Covid-19 Recovery
• Covid-19 return to work guide - for recovering workers (Society of Occupational Medicine)
• Covid-19 return to work guide - for managers (Society of Occupational Medicine)
• Guidance for managers and employers on facilitating return to work of employees with Long-Covid (Faculty of Occupational Medicine) 
• Long-Covid support group

References

• NICE: Covid-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of Covid-19
• NHS: Long-term effects of coronavirus (Long-Covid) - NHS
• Gov.uk: Covid-19 Greenbook Chapter 14a (Information on Covid vaccines)

Who is defined as disabled?

There are many kinds of disability, some more widely understood and visible than others. Many of us who work at the University may have a disability that is covered by the Equality Act 2010 without even realising it.  

Legally, under the Act, a person is likely to be considered disabled if they have a mental or physical impairment that has an adverse effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. This effect must be:

• Substantial: in other words, not minor or trivial. The person is still considered disabled if the effects of their impairment are alleviated or removed by ongoing treatments or aids.
• Long-term: this is usually taken to mean that it has lasted, or is likely to last, for more than 12 months. 

This definition is quite broad and can include people with cystic fibrosis, depression, dyslexia, repetitive strain injury (RSI) or a severe facial disfigurement. Some people have conditions that are defined in the Equality Act as being a disability from the point of their diagnosis. These are: cancer, HIV infection and Multiple Sclerosis.

Some people with a disability will know that they require adjustments to enable them to work, and others may not. Access to Work is a Government scheme to support people with disabilities to be able to access work and stay in work by providing an assessment, advice on adjustments and funding (full funding is provided for people starting with a new employer and for up to six weeks after starting). To access this scheme the person with the disability must apply for Access to Work support themselves.

I have a disability – do I have to tell the University?

It is up to you whether or not you tell the University that you are disabled. However, the University is working hard to create an environment in which staff are happy to disclose their disability. 

Telling us that you are disabled is particularly important if you might need any adjustments to carry out your job and if you have applied to Access to Work for their support. It will be very difficult, and in many cases impossible, for the University to provide these if you do not tell us. In addition, telling us can also help the University to improve the way it works with disabled staff – for example this information can help us to assess the impact of University practices on disabled staff. 

To disclose a disability to the University you can alter your status on Core to disabled from Personal Details under Disability Info. You will need to inform your line manager if you would like to discuss potential adjustments; such as additional equipment or changes to the way in which you work. For further information on how to do this please see the canvas course - Update Personal Details

What can the University do to assist me?

For information on how the University can assist you please visit Reasonable Adjustments and also refer to the Quick Guide to making Reasonable Adjustments that is available from that page. In addition if you require further advice, you may self-refer through accessing the OPAS G2 (Occupational Health software) and providing your University email.  Should your request indicate that an appointment to assess you is required, before advice can be given, then it will be recommended that a management referral is received.

The Equality Act defines 'reasonable adjustments' as adjustments to:

• Provisions, criteria or practices (the way things are done)
• Physical features (the built environment)
• Auxiliary aids (providing specialist equipment or services)

The most common types of adjustment include:

• the services of a support worker (for example, a personal assistant or sign-language interpreter)
• equipment (for example, assistive computer software or a height adjustable desk)
• transcription of written materials into accessible formats (for example braille or large print)
• adjustments to workplaces or the physical environment
• adjustments to an employee's duties, working routine or conditions of service or the provision of disability leave

'Reasonable' is difficult to define here, but it is important to remember that all adjustments must be aimed at addressing particular barriers you face due to your disability, and that you have a right to be fully involved in any discussions about adjustments. Clearly not all potential adjustments would be reasonable to make, but if a request or suggestion that you make is not accepted, you should be given a clear explanation of why it was not reasonable. To support you and your line manager in these discussions a referral may be made to Occupational Health for our advice.  

How can I be mentally healthy at work?

You can access support from the University's EAP provider Health Assured.

We have produced a document on Mental Wellbeing at Work, which raises awareness of mental health problems and provides guidance for staff (including managers) about creating a mentally healthy workplace: Mental Wellbeing at Work

Mind, the mental health charity, have produced some fantastic resources on this topic: Mind website

Accessing the Work Mental Health Support Service

Remploy who provide the University with this Service, which is funded by the Department for Work & Pensions, provides confidential one-to-one workplace mental health support. What can you expect when accessing this service?

• A wellbeing plan to help you stay in, or return to work
• Workplace adjustments
• Coping strategies
• Expert advice and support for nine months

So far, Remploy has already supported thousands of people with a mental health condition who are absent from work or  finding work difficult to stay in, or return to their job.

Of these, 93% of people are still in work after six months.

Remploy will not inform the University that you are accessing this service, unless you want them to. 

To book an appointment please email: chris.kingsbury@remploy.co.uk or bethany.kimberley@remploy.co.uk 

To qualify, you need to:

• Be in permanent or temporary employment (attending work or signed off)
• Be an employee or apprentice of the University
• Have a mental health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that has caused you to be off work, or that is making it hard for you to undertake your duties and responsibilities whilst at work

If you have any queries before accessing this National Service than please visit https://www.remploy.co.uk/employers/mental-health-and-wellbeing/workplace-mental-health-support-service-employers

Management Referral to Occupational Health 

What is a Management Referral?

It is a referral to Occupational Health completed by your line manager. The role of Occupational Health is to advise the University and yourself by preparing a report for your manager on how your health may affect you at work and recommend adjustments that could be made to support, for example, a return to work or long-standing impairment. Examples of this may include: long-standing illness; return to work after sickness; level of attendance; or a combination of factors. The whole process of a referral is conducted via the HR Service Portal using the OH Management Referral form which will be made available for you within the HR Portal. 

How do I get one?

Your first port of call is to speak to your line manager if you have a health condition that may be affecting your work. They will then be able to decide whether to refer you to Occupational Health, explaining their reasoning, and determining the type of advice they require from Occupational Health. The process of making a referral to Occupational Health is via the HR Service Portal. 

If you are due to return to work after sickness absence there is not usually a requirement for you to attend an appointment with Occupational Health. Adjustments to assist your return such as altered hours or duties can be discussed and agreed with your Line Manager in the first instance - your GP may already have indicated these on your fit note. 

What happens next?

If the referral is accepted you may receive an email to book an appointment with an Occupational Health Clinician, when appointment availability is limited then you will recieve an email with the first available appointment scheduled for you.  The appointment is for a confidential one-to-one appointment with an Occupational Health Clinician, where the information provided in the referral and the questions posed to Occupational Health to answer will be discussed with you.  

The Occupational Health Clinician will ask you some questions so they can gain further information from you about your health and the impact on your work. This information will enable them to form an opinion to answer the questions that are being asked. If appropriate you may be provided with healthcare or lifestyle advice as part of the referral process. In some cases you may be asked to consent for a report to be requested from your General Practitioner or treating Specialist under the Access to Medical Reports Act (1988) for information to assist the clinician in answering the questions posed. 

At the end of the consultation you will be provided with an outline of the OH advice that the Clinician will write. At this point your consent to release this will be sought. You have the option to receive a copy or to see the OH advice prior to its release to the University, for the purpose of ensuring that the OH advice is factually accurate. 

Undergraduates 

Undergraduate Pre-Registration Occupational Health services for Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Nursing are provided by the Occupational Health Hub at the Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital, accessible by visiting http://www.uhb.nhs.uk or by telephoning 0121 371 7170

Student Support (Counselling, Wellbeing, Disability, Mental Health or Learning Support) is accessed by visiting http://www.studenthelp.bham.ac.uk/ or by telephoning 0121 414 5130 

Postgraduates

Postgraduate Occupational Health services for Dip MSc Exercise & Sports Medicine, MSc Advanced Manipulative Physiotherapy, MSc Physio (Pre-Reg) F/T, PGDip Advanced Manipulative Phsyiotherapy, and PGDip Physician Associate (January and May intakes) are provided by the Occupational Health Hub at the Old Queen Elizabeth Hospital, accessible by visiting http://www.uhb.nhs.uk or by telephoning 0121 371 7170

Post-Graduate Research students

Postgraduates studying within STEM Colleges, who undertake laboratory work, may receive vaccination and health surveillance services from us to ensure they are not harmed by any hazards to health that they may come into contact with. If this applies to you then your Lab Manager or PI will need to access the OH software (OPAS G2), using their UoB email as the username, and request this service for you by creating a Preplacement.

Health Clearance & Surveillance 

What services do you provide?

Your supervisor or line manager needs to access the OH software (OPAS G2), using their UoB email as the username, and request this service for you by creating a Preplacement and selecting the form type appropriate for the intervention, being requested, for you to complete (i.e. for health clearance: the role type required, for vaccinations: NHS clearance, Overseas travel, vaccination assessment and for health surveillance: HAVS screening, Radiation medical, Respiratory).  You will then receive an email, with a link, on clicking the link select the correct form type specified in the accompanying email to proceed.  In addition to answering the questions in the form you may also need to attach supplementary documents, such as evidence of previous vaccinations. 

Psychology students undertaking a work placement as part of their degree will require health clearance if studying on Clinical Psychology Doctorate, Clinical Psychology MRes or Psychology & Psychological Practice MSci, Forensic Clinical Psychology Doctorate and Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate.  For information on what this involves please see Psychology Health Clearance Requirements. 

What happens next?

Once we have processed this request, you may need to book an appointment to see one of our clinicians (this will depend on the request being made and on any information that you have been able to provide us).  You will receive an email when this is required, through which you can choose and book an appointment.  You may also be given details of anything you need to bring with you.  The clearance outcome will be emailed to you and the person who requested the service on completion. 

I’m travelling abroad on University business, do I need a vaccination?

It depends where you’re going! Your line manager needs needs to access the OH software (OPAS G2), using their UoB email as the username, and request this service for you by creating a Preplacement and selecting overseas travel as the form type for you to complete.  You will then receive an email, with a link, on clicking the link select the form type specified in the accompanying email to proceed.  In addition to answering the questions in the form you may also need to attach supplementary documents, such as evidence of previous vaccinations.  

Once we have processed this request, you may need to book an appointment to see one of our clinicians (this will depend on the request being made and on any information that you have been able to provide us).  You will receive an email when this is required, through which you can choose and book an appointment.  You may also be given details of anything you need to bring with you.  The clearance outcome will be emailed to you and the person who requested the service on completion.   

How much notice do I need to give you?

We need at least 8 weeks’ notice as some courses of vaccinations may require multiple appointments, some of which will be licensed to be given over several months. 

How do I request vaccination or health surveillance for a member of my team from Occupational Health?

These requests are made directly into the Occupational Health Management software by accessing OPAS G2 and using your UoB email as the username.  On clicking 'next', this should take you directly into the University's Single Sign On process.  If this does not occur, please raise a request on the IT Services Portal to gain access.  

When should I contact Occupational Health Services?

If you haven't been able to find the information you need, please speak directly to your Line Manager or your local HR team in the first instance. 

I've recently disclosed a disability to the University and would like some advice on what adjustments I may need?

Please see our Section on Disability Support.  In addition if you require further advice, you may self-refer through accessing the OPAS G2 (Occupational Health software) and providing your University email.  Should your request indicate that an appointment to assess you is required then it will be recommended that a management referral is received.

I have a member of my team who has raised a concern about getting across the campus in bad weather due to their disability?

Please read-through our Inclement weather advice and guidance for managers, supervisors and staff.

How can I be mentally healthy at work?

Firstly, speak to your Line Manager. We have also produced a document on Mental Wellbeing at Work and intranet content on Mental Health and the Workplace, which raises awareness of mental health problems and provides guidance for staff (including managers) about creating a mentally healthy workplace.

There are also fantastic resources on this topic available from Mind, the mental health charity.

Do you provide or replace my GP’s services?

No, Occupational Health is the branch of healthcare that specialises in the impact of work on workers health and a person's health on their work.  For GP Primary Care Services you should contact your family doctor as normal or telephone 111 for the NHS non-emergency line. 

For remote appointments will you send me a meeting invite?

Remote appointments are booked using our dedicated OH software.  When you have been requested to and booked a video appointment, the clinician will make direct contact with you, via Teams, at the time of your appointment.  

I’m pregnant, or thinking about trying, what do I need to do?

Please access the University’s pregnancy and maternity guidance page; it includes Health and Safety advice for New and Expectant Mothers at Work and includes a risk assessment that is filled out with your line manager.  Should there still be concerns regarding work exposure hazards (i.e. lab work, travel for the University), you can self-refer through access the OPAS G2 (Occupational Health software) and providing your University email. 

Do you offer any training courses?

No, all training courses are contained in the People and Organisational Development intranet content.

Can you help with my workstation or advise on the purchase of equipment or furniture?

There are trained DSE Assessors locally within departments and teams who provide support and assistance with the assessment and purchase of equipment when indicated. For further information you can access the University’s comprehensive resource regarding Display Screen Equipment, including details of how to find your local trained assessor.

Can I retire on the grounds of ill health?

Potentially, this would depend on your health status, your role and the Pension Scheme you are in.  Further advice can be obtained from our EAP, your local HR Team or the Pensions team. 

Is your service confidential?

All communications with us are in strictest medical confidence. All records are stored in accordance with the Data Protection Acts. 

Is there a wellbeing committee?

Dan Wheatley and Jo Cope jointly chair a Wellbeing Advisory Group on campus, please visit the Employee Wellbeing web page for more information on Wellbeing.

We also have an Occupational Health Advisory Group which meets monthly to discuss policies and services that contribute to Workplace Wellbeing which reports into the University's Health & Safety Executive Group.