Covid 19 Absences

Ref: FOI22049

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST

I am writing to confirm that the West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information you requested further to your freedom of information request.

Please find below a summary of our findings.

Request

How many people in your organisation currently experience symptoms of Long COVID to the extent where they are unable to work in their regular role at full capacity?

Reply

There are currently 5 employees with long covid people that are not at full capacity

Request

Are there measures you have taken to assist this cohort?

Reply

The measures West Midlands Fire Service use are as per Occupational Health standards. An example is published on our website at the following link:

https://www.wmfs.net/news/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-used-to-treat-firefighters/

Request

Do you have any medium to long term plans for those people whose symptoms do not subside?

Reply

If symptoms do not subside then their sickness will be fully supported and managed in line with our organisational policy on long term sickness.

If you have any queries about this Freedom of Information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW

Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.