'It’s a massive, massive worry': Nurse with long covid to lose sick pay this month
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A Cork nurse who developed long covid at work more than three years ago said the end of a special sick leave scheme was “a massive massive worry” as she remains unable to work.
A special leave with pay scheme has been in place since July 2022 for public healthcare workers with long covid but this is set to finish at the end of this month.
An estimated 140 staff remain eligible for this, with staff who recently developed long covid unable to apply.
The nurse, who asked not to be named, was working on a busy covid ward in January 2021 when she caught the virus.
“It was scary, it was awful, covid was rampant in the hospital,” she said.
Since then, the now-37-year-old has been unable to return to work.
“The fatigue is horrendous, there are not enough words to describe it — you are literally choosing ‘do I cook dinner or do I go for a shower’,” she said.
She is on long-term heart medication, with her heart rate spiking to 130bpm just climbing the stairs.
After March 31, she will be entitled to full pay for three months followed by half-pay for three months.
“I won’t be able to live on it when I go to half-pay. I pay my mortgage myself,” she said.
“I’d be down to half-pay by the summer if they go ahead and stop it, so it’s a massive, massive worry. I’m trying not to think about it, but it’s a big worry for all of us. Some people have kids or have kids in college, other people are living on their own.”
Other schemes are potentially available but must be applied for individually.
However, she said as long covid is not recognised as an occupational illness in Ireland, she may not be eligible.
Healthcare unions including the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have sought further assistance from the Labour Court on this.
Cork Fine Gael TD Colm Burke recently asked Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to extend the special scheme.
In response to his parliamentary query, the Department of Health said: “This special scheme has been extended a number of times, however, it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and no further extensions will be granted.”
It said any HSE employees affected would be informed this week.
“Any employee of the public health sector, should they remain unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the public service sick leave scheme,” it said.
"Anyone still ill after that six-month period can apply for ‘temporary rehabilitative remuneration’ which covers up to an additional 547 days.
“The critical illness protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted,” the department said.