Request

‘I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Please answer the following questions:

1. How many NHS pension scheme members have applied for ill-health retirement (IHR) due to long covid/post-covid syndrome;

This should include all data going back to 2018-19 and be disclosed in financial years (i.e., 2018-19; 2019-20; 2021-22; and 2022-23).

I understand the 2022-23 financial year has not yet ended, however, please include these figures where possible.

1. Of the cases submitted, how many NHS pension scheme members were deemed either:

a) Eligible; or b) Ineligible for IHR due to long covid/post-covid syndrome

If possible, on 2b, please disclose the reasons for why NHS pension scheme members were considered ineligible for IHR.

1. Please disclose the figures for how many NHS pension scheme members have successfully applied for ill-health retirement due to long covid.

Similar to the above, please include figures going back to 2018-19 in financial years. Although the 2022-23 year has not ended, please include this data where possible.’

Response

The figures provided include applications for ill health retirement where long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome was recorded as the sole cause of the application or a significant contributory factor in conjunction with the primary cause. The figures do not include applications where Coronavirus (COVID-19) or long COVID was one of a number of medical conditions or contributory factors.

2018/19 to 2020/21

No cases were identified. The first cases of ill health retirement applications as a result of long-covid were received in 2021/22.

2021/22

Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, 28 applications were received for ill health retirement. Of these, 16 cases were accepted and ill health retirement benefits awarded. The remaining 12 applications were found to not meet the eligibility criteria.

2022/23

Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHS Business Services Authority. This year has not yet completed, meaning we do not have figures for the full year. This data will become available once the year has ended.

Data Queries

If you have any queries regarding the data provided, or if you plan on publishing the data please contact nhsbsa.foirequests@nhs.net ensuring you quote the above reference. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact nhsbsa.communicationsteam@nhs.net. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2022” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.