UK's NHS Faces Strain as Waiting Lists Surge Post-COVID

Long Covid has forced many individuals, including Sarah Barley-McMullen, a senior lecturer, to quit their jobs and rely on government benefits, which are now threatened by proposed cuts in the UK. Barley-McMullen, who suffers from severe symptoms such as brain damage and hearing loss, expressed her fears that the cuts could further diminish her independence. Currently, approximately 2 million people in England and Scotland are estimated to have long Covid, with 381,000 severely limited in their daily activities. The pandemic has also left the NHS struggling with a significant backlog of care, with over 7.5 million people on waiting lists, compared to 4.5 million before the pandemic. This backlog has resulted from widespread disruptions in routine care, and the NHS infrastructure is facing challenges such as outdated facilities and decreased funding. Addressing these issues is a priority for the government, but solutions are not straightforward.