Question reference: S5W-35965
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 10 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that some parents are having difficulties and experiencing delays with accessing appropriate treatment pathways for children who have been diagnosed with long-COVID.
Answer
The Scottish Government is aware that there are a small number of children experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. The NHS in Scotland is delivering care for children with Long COVID, ensuring support is tailored to the individual needs of the child through relevant pathways such as for chronic fatigue syndrome.
The SIGN clinical guideline on managing the long term effects of COVID-19 gives healthcare practitioners evidence based recommendations on how to best support children, young people and adults experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. We have disseminated the guideline to clinicians across Scotland and actively endorsed its use in underpinning delivery of care in NHS Scotland.
We are working closely with people affected by Long COVID, NHS Boards and the wider clinical community in Scotland to continue to deepen our understanding of the symptoms and impact of the condition, to make sure people can access the services currently available and that we make the improvements needed.