Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has launched a new strategy to help more people live their lives to the full and get the support they need.

Phase two of the No Life Half Lived strategy sets out the charity’s aim to support 175,000 people over the next five years through its community healthcare support services and a community recovery model.

It aims help people to live with, and understand, their condition, improve their overall health, get back to work, hobbies, and interests and ensure they need fewer NHS services.

That support is vital for people like Craig Anderson who has been living with the symptoms of Long Covid since February 2021.

After contracting Covid-19 twice he has been dealing with fatigue, breathing difficulties and depression.

The storeman, from Edinburgh, is part of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Long Covid Support Group.

He said: “The best day of the week for me now is a Tuesday. I see my counsellor at 12, then I have the Zoom meeting with the support group at 2.

“It has made all the difference to me being part of this group – it’s amazing to be able to talk to people who understand exactly what you’re going through because they’re going through it, too.

“I feel I have been very lucky in how supportive my GP has been and the help I’ve got from the NHS. And I know from the group that not everyone has had that experience.

“That needs to change. There shouldn’t be any kind of postcode lottery on help for people with Long Covid or you having to rely on a doctor who takes you seriously. Everyone deserves the very best care and understanding.”

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s One in Five research report, which helped shape the second phase of the No Life Half Lived strategy revealed a mental health and rehabilitation crisis facing the 1 in 5 Scots that live with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid.

A survey of more than 1,850 people represented by Scotland’s largest health charity showed less than half (45%) had received rehabilitation from the NHS.

The research also found people who have accessed Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s services rated their health and wellbeing higher than those who hadn’t.

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “The fact that so many Scots are being denied access to vital rehabilitation services is extremely distressing.

“People are leaving hospital or receiving a diagnosis and they are scared and feel alone. They need to trust they will get the help they are entitled to so they can begin their recovery journey and get back to the life they love.

“CHSS is there to support people to stay healthy and well at home for as long as possible.

“We are committed to dramatically increasing the number of people we deliver services to over the next five years to 175,000, reducing the pressure on the NHS. But when people miss out on the first step on their recovery journey – NHS rehab – that makes our job so much harder.

“We’re doing our bit, it’s only in working together that we can achieve this.  We are calling on the NHS and Scottish Government to keep their promises to those living with long-term conditions and make essential services easily and immediately available.

“Together we can ensure people with chest, heart, stroke and Long-Covid conditions can live full, happy lives. Together we can ensure there is No Life Half Lived in Scotland.”

If you’re living with the effects of chest, heart and stroke conditions or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.  

For more details on Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, and what you can do to support the charity, please contact Stephanie Wilks by emailing stephanie.wilks@chss.org.uk or by calling 0131 220 9592.