Health unions, including Fórsa, are continuing to push for an engagement with the HSE and the health department on the establishment of an occupational injury scheme – with particular consideration for workers with long Covid – following the restricted entitlement to special leave with pay (SLWP) announced last week.

The new restrictions mean that SLWP provisions will only apply for the current seven-day self-isolation period. The HSE says any Covid-19 related illness beyond seven days will now be treated as ordinary sick leave in all cases.

The head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare Division, Ashley Connolly, said the unions were pushing for healthcare workers to continue to receive special leave with pay if they are suffering from long Covid.

“We can’t tolerate a situation where those with long Covid are essentially abandoned while they are still in recovery. Up to 200 health staff are currently absent due to long Covid, and very little is understood about the condition and its long-term effects. These are workers who braved dangerously infectious working environments at the height of the pandemic,” she said.

Fórsa and other health unions have already called on the health minister to honour his commitment that healthcare workers will continue to receive special leave with pay if they are suffering from long Covid.

The Department of Social Protection has extended the Covid enhanced illness scheme until September. Unions welcomed this and called on minister Stephen Donnelly to mirror the move for public sector healthcare workers by extending the special leave scheme.