Special payment to HSE staff with long covid extended to March

'Healthcare workers with long covid went to work and contracted covid when there were very few protections available to them. Their illness should be treated as nothing less than a workplace injury,' The INMO said. File picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

More than 140 HSE staff with long covid have had special payments extended until March, giving them a further chance to recover.

The Special Leave with Pay for staff unable to work due to long covid had been due to end in June, then was extended to this week and now extended again for another five months.

One senior staff nurse, who has been ill since January 2021, said: “I certainly hope they extend past March but I would much rather fully recover from long covid and get back to work and get back to my life.” 

It was previously estimated up to 250 people were affected, but the HSE said this week “in the region of 143” remained eligible by the end of August.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation represents nurses in this group.

“The further extension of this scheme is welcome and will provide some comfort to healthcare workers who have long covid,” a spokeswoman said.

"Healthcare workers with long covid went to work and contracted covid when there were very few protections available to them. Their illness should be treated as nothing less than a workplace injury.” 

The HSE said those affected also included doctors, therapists and administrative workers.

“The extension provides for basic pay and fixed allowances for the period 1 November 2023 to 31 March 2024. Unsocial hours premium payments do not apply during this period,” a spokeswoman said.

Managers have already been informed the scheme is only open to those already in receipt of this payment.

As covid-19 continues to circulate and carry the risk of developing long covid, HSE staff who get sick now are covered under the usual public service sick leave scheme.

The Department of Health said the extension was granted following a request by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.