Senedd Cross-Party Group on Long-COVID Meeting 16^th March 2023

In attendance

Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS (Chair)

Rhys Hughes

Alexander Still

Georgia Walby

Sian Davies

Kathryn Tancock

Dr Ian Frayling

Prof Alison Twycross

Debbie Shaffer

Dr Paul Gill

Dr Nicola Gale

Rhianydd Williams

Helen Radford

Brandon Renard

Apologies received from Hefin David MS.

Agenda

1. Welcome, introductions and apologies.

2. Approval of minutes of last meeting.

3. Presentation: Hyperbaric Oxygen Trials

4. Discussion on Patient Experiences of Oxygen Therapy

5. Update from Wales TUC Cymru on their recent work on Long-COVID

6. Agreed actions and date of next meeting

7. Close

Meeting

The meeting proceeded as per the agenda above.

The first presentation on hyberbaric oxygen trials was given by Dr Nicola Gale, Cardiff University, and Dr Paul Gill, University of Northumbria at Newcastle. The second presentation was given by Rhianydd Williams, Equality and Policy Officer, Wales TUC Cymru.

The group also discussed the recent announcement by the Minister for Health and Social Services about further Welsh Government funding for the Adferiad Long-COVID Recovery programme.

Agreed Actions

1. Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Hefin David MS to table a Written Statement of Opinion to mark International Long-COVID Awareness Day 2023.

2. Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Hefin David MS to write to the Minister for Health and Social Services asking what support is available for further research into pioneering long-COVID treatments; as well as asking what is the evidential basis for expanding eligibility for Adferiad to those with other long-term conditions such as ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.