Helen Curtis

If you have also been affected by the closure of @DorsetPCS contact Dorset health watch at healthwatchdorset.co.uk/talk-to-us/you… If you're in a different area search for your local healthwatch These services are needed #LongCovid #HealthForAll #HealthAwareness thank you Dr CS @MEAssociation

Teacher with long Covid wins £42,000 in landmark disability discrimination case. A teacher who was dismissed for taking extended sick leave due to long Covid has won over £42,000 in a disability discrimination case, shedding light on workplace rights for employees suffering from post-viral conditions. School ‘actively looking’ to dismiss teacher. Joanna White, who worked at Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton, took her case to an employment tribunal after she was dismissed for prolonged absences related to long Covid. The tribunal ruled that the school had breached its policies and had actively sought to terminate her employment prematurely. The panel heard that Ms White’s deputy headteacher allegedly dismissed her health concerns, reportedly telling her that she “just had to get on with it.” The tribunal found that the school disregarded its own procedures in dealing with her case, ultimately ruling in favour of Ms White and awarding her £42,118.50 in compensation for disability discrimination. Ms White’s battle with long Covid. Ms White, who had been a teacher at the school since 2007, already suffered from an autoimmune condition before the pandemic. In November 2020, she contracted Covid-19 and was absent from work until January 2021. Despite repeated concerns about her deteriorating health, the school issued a formal warning over her absences in early 2020. Her symptoms worsened, leading to multiple extended sick leaves between 2021 and 2022. During this time, the school gave her two further warnings about her attendance, despite an occupational health assessment report stating that she would be unlikely to manage a full timetable without significant adjustments. Dismissal deemed ‘unreasonable and discriminatory’ In September 2022, Ms White suffered a head injuryand was signed off work again. While on leave, she was called into another meeting and warned that her job was at risk. Shortly after, the school concluded that she was unfit to continue teaching and dismissed her on the grounds of capability. Employment Judge Adam Leith ruled that the school’s actions were unjust and discriminatory, stating: “Departing from [school policy] in a way which shortcut the process, in and of itself, gave rise to the inference that the school was actively looking to bring Ms White’s employment to an end as expediently as possible.” The tribunal determined that the school had failed to accommodate Ms White’s disability and unfairly dismissed her, violating the Equality Act 2010. Long Covid and employment rights. Ms White’s case highlights the challenges faced by employees with long Covid and other chronic illnesses in the workplace. Long Covid is now recognised as a disability under UK employment law, meaning affected workers are entitled to reasonable adjustments and protection from discrimination. Employment experts stress the importance of adhering to workplace policies when handling long-term illness cases. Employers must follow proper procedures and consider adjustments to workloads before resorting to dismissal by understanding workers’ rights. Following her tribunal victory, Ms White has decided to leave the teaching profession entirely, stating that her trust in the school system has been “irreparably broken.” Support us by hitting the REPOST or HEART button.

📣 Keeping Our Community Connected!! Thank you to everyone who cane to see us at the North Dorset event today. Fantastic to connect with the community! #NeighbourhoodTeam #CommunityFirst #LongCovid #awareness @DorsetHealth

Our service poster is on the move! #Longcovid #Awareness If you are suffering with the effects of Long COVID and you live in Dorset, your GP can refer you to Dorset Post COVID Service! @DorsetGPA @NHSDorset @DorsetHealth @UHD_NHS @DCHFT

@UKPoTS have some great information on this if you are suffering with PoTS

#HealthLiteracyTraining, Understanding health info is key to making informed decisions. At the DPCS, we’re here to support you with clear, accessible resources for better health. 💙 @DorsetAhps @NHSDorset @DorsetHealth

Celebrating #AHPsDay24 with a room full of amazing AHPs. Congrats to many of my ICRT colleagues who won awards & to @HCurtis81 & @michellejanese2 for the well deserved award for the support you give us and our patients @DorsetPCS. A great day of celebrating and networking.

Celebrating #AHPday2024, congratulations to @KGphysio339 on your award 👇 👏 and everyone who was nominated 🥳 @DorsetAhps @DorsetHealth

Frailty learning opportunity👇, Managing Frailty within Primary Care, at Vitality Stadium! Presented by Bournemouth East Collaboration PCN. @DorsetGPA @DorsetHealth @NHSDorset @UHD_NHS @DCHFT

Supporting #WorldMentalHealthDay for both staff and patients. #LongCovid #MentalHealth 💚💚

You can now book your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations online, on the NHS App or by calling 119. @DorsetHealth @UHD_NHS @DCHFT @BCPCouncil @DorsetCouncilUK @HwatchDorset staywelldorset.nhs.uk/update/nhs-boo…

@DorsetPCS @DorsetHealth @NHSDorset @DorsetAhps @YouTube This story is very emotional, & empowering. It demonstrates the importance of specialist interventions by a specialist Post COVID Service. Well done @DorsetPCS

Have you seen our latest #LongCovid patient story? Check it out here! @DorsetHealth @NHSDorset @DorsetAhps Dorset HealthCare’s Post Covid Syndrome Service - Jo's story youtu.be/Hzq2E-5oYdo?si… via @YouTube

It's on the move! Our Post-COVID Syndrome Service banner is on tour! See if you can spot it as it moves around the county. Can we help you with your symptoms? @DorsetHealth @DorsetPCS @UHD_NHS @BCPCouncil #LongCovid

Here’s another example of the benefits we’re demonstrating for people with #LongCovid through the NHS @DorsetPCS @DorsetHealth

Health & Wellbeing is a huge part of our everyday practice at Dorset Post covid Service. Read our staff story here! @DorsetHealth @DorsetAhps @DCHFT #Team #LongCovid

@HCurtis81 is one of our Physiotherapists supporting patients with #LongCovid. Helen does not only support our patients but has taken on an active role in supporting staff. Read about Helen’s staff story here and her journey into Compassionate Leadership Training. @DorsetAhps

@FoxyMEMum @DorsetPCS @DorsetAhps This is amazing 💙

After over a year of #LongCovid on top of #MECFS, today is the end of my first full week of working in 14 months! Without the support of @DorsetPCS and all of the @DorsetAhps who have supported me, I wouldn't have managed this return to work. #thankyouNHS