Sarah Weston RD's Avatar

Sarah Weston RD

@sarahwestonrd.bsky.social

Dietitian, #LongCovid since Jan 21 #dysautonomia, #patientexperience, lover of languages, all things #textile & costume. Member research team @long_covid๐Ÿงฎ ๐Ÿฉป Trustee @healthedtrust ๐Ÿด๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒ Facilitator PACE program ๐Ÿ‘ฃ๐Ÿซ‚๐ŸŒˆ

517 Followers  |  1,015 Following  |  32 Posts  |  Joined: 18.11.2024  |  1.982

Latest posts by sarahwestonrd.bsky.social on Bluesky

That's awful Sammie. I can imagine how distressing it must be to fear/know as a parent that we're risking harming our own kids' health further by trying to send them in. Kids w LC need protections to prevent further harm and help meet them where they are.

31.08.2025 14:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Yes unmet needs (which need supporting, not punishing) and a bunch of them will have things like Long Covid, ME and types of dysautonomia who are physically too ill to attend and learn (but this might not be visible/the kids might look like other kids who are fit and well with boundless energy).

31.08.2025 14:27 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Dark blue background with image of DNA helix. At the top of the DecodeME โ€˜the resultsโ€™ logo. Two spotlights shine on a speech bubble that says โ€˜Initial DNA resultsโ€™. To the right of this is an image of a research paper. At the bottom of the graphic it says โ€˜Wednesday 7pm BSTโ€™.

Dark blue background with image of DNA helix. At the top of the DecodeME โ€˜the resultsโ€™ logo. Two spotlights shine on a speech bubble that says โ€˜Initial DNA resultsโ€™. To the right of this is an image of a research paper. At the bottom of the graphic it says โ€˜Wednesday 7pm BSTโ€™.

The initial DNA results from DecodeME are coming this week! We will release them on our website on Wednesday 6th August at 7pm (approx).

We're letting you know the timing in advance so you can pace beforehand.

Thank you to our participants & supporters.

04.08.2025 17:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 69    ๐Ÿ” 33    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5

3/

โ€œ(Contd) Pasman contracted the similar long covid during the pandemic and, as a patient, did notice that cognitive behavioral therapy as a treatment has risks for people suffering from diseases such as long covid and ME/CFS.โ€

#PwME #MEcfs #CFS

19.06.2025 22:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 21    ๐Ÿ” 6    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2

2/

โ€œThe realization that I may have wronged young people with ME/CFS, often seriously ill, is painful," says former GZ psychologist Wieke Pasman, one of the signatories. (contd)โ€

#MEcfs #CFS #PwME

19.06.2025 22:42 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 36    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
NOS News
โ€ข
today, 17:47
Healthcare colleagues call pediatricians to order over exhaustion disease ME/CFS
Share this article
Sander Zurhake

Health Care Editor

More than a hundred doctors, psychologists and other healthcare providers are calling on pediatricians and behavioral therapists in an open letter to acknowledge that the therapies they recommend for people with the chronic exhaustion disease ME/CFS do not help but actually make them sicker. "It is time for recognition. For nuance. For humanity."

The letter writers believe that the Dutch Association for Pediatrics and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies should adjust the treatment guidelines for patients with ME/CFS based on current science. It has happened that children have physically collapsed, ended up in a wheelchair or were bedridden for the rest of their lives. Some have subsequently chosen euthanasia as adults.

Recently, NOS reports revealed that in the Netherlands, children with ME/CFS are still dealing with this risky treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy. This treatment teaches children to ignore warning signals when the body indicates to take it easy, for example because an effort is becoming too great.

NOS News โ€ข today, 17:47 Healthcare colleagues call pediatricians to order over exhaustion disease ME/CFS Share this article Sander Zurhake Health Care Editor More than a hundred doctors, psychologists and other healthcare providers are calling on pediatricians and behavioral therapists in an open letter to acknowledge that the therapies they recommend for people with the chronic exhaustion disease ME/CFS do not help but actually make them sicker. "It is time for recognition. For nuance. For humanity." The letter writers believe that the Dutch Association for Pediatrics and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies should adjust the treatment guidelines for patients with ME/CFS based on current science. It has happened that children have physically collapsed, ended up in a wheelchair or were bedridden for the rest of their lives. Some have subsequently chosen euthanasia as adults. Recently, NOS reports revealed that in the Netherlands, children with ME/CFS are still dealing with this risky treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy. This treatment teaches children to ignore warning signals when the body indicates to take it easy, for example because an effort is becoming too great.

"Healthcare colleagues call pediatricians [in the Netherlands] to order over exhaustion disease ME/CFS" (& the recommendation to use CBT)

Google English translation
nos-nl.translate.goog/artikel/2571...

#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME

19.06.2025 17:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 34    ๐Ÿ” 12    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
BMJ
Several new rapid responses have appeared on the BMJ website, commenting on the article by Miller and colleagues on severe ME/CFS.
Claire Every, Associate Professor, On behalf of Long Covid Advocacy. Hope Must Be Grounded in Biomedical Evidence for ME/CFS.
Freda Dier, Carer. STOP REST PACE.
Elke Haussman, General Practitioner. Re: Patients with severe ME/CFS need hope and expert multidisciplinary care - Hope comes from progress through biomedical research.
Simon Price, retired GP. Re: Patients with severe ME/CFS need hope and expert multidisciplinary care.
Elisa Perego, Researcher and advocate University College London. ME/CFS care must be grounded in lived experience and biomedical research

BMJ Several new rapid responses have appeared on the BMJ website, commenting on the article by Miller and colleagues on severe ME/CFS. Claire Every, Associate Professor, On behalf of Long Covid Advocacy. Hope Must Be Grounded in Biomedical Evidence for ME/CFS. Freda Dier, Carer. STOP REST PACE. Elke Haussman, General Practitioner. Re: Patients with severe ME/CFS need hope and expert multidisciplinary care - Hope comes from progress through biomedical research. Simon Price, retired GP. Re: Patients with severe ME/CFS need hope and expert multidisciplinary care. Elisa Perego, Researcher and advocate University College London. ME/CFS care must be grounded in lived experience and biomedical research

Links to some replies to flawed Miller and colleagues BMJ editorial on severe #MECFS

www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...
www.bmj.com/content/389/...

Screenshot from Science for ME update

#CFS @elisaperego78.bsky.social

03.06.2025 01:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 17    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Preview
A Chronically Ill Earth: COVID Organizing as a Model Climate Response in Los Angeles BY VIOLET AFFLECK I spent the January fires in Los Angeles arguing with my mother in a hotel room. She was shell-shocked, astonished at the scale of destruction in the neighborhood where she raisedโ€ฆ

Global Health Review: 'A Chronically Ill Earth: COVID Organizing as a Model Climate Response in Los Angeles'

By Violet Affleck

'Long COVID poses a threat to even the healthiest individuals...'

'Some half (half!) of Long COVID cases trigger ME..'

yaleglobalhealthreview.com/2025/05/18/a...

20.05.2025 12:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 61    ๐Ÿ” 21    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5
Grey image of a hospital corridor in the background over which is a red sign with white border and white writing saying CLOSED.

Grey image of a hospital corridor in the background over which is a red sign with white border and white writing saying CLOSED.

๐Ÿšจ1/3. Birmingham & Solihull NHS #LongCovid clinic has been informed by their ICB that it might be closed.
Theyโ€™ve apparently been given until 7th April to justify their existence.
Is this is your clinic? If so, contact the ICB & tell them why it should remain open! Contact info. below. โฌ‡๏ธ

04.04.2025 09:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 10    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Light background with black text saying IS YOUR LOCAL LONG COVID CLINIC CLOSING? We want to hear about it! There is also a white and orange coloured megaphone with a Long Covid Support logo on it, lying on a table.

Light background with black text saying IS YOUR LOCAL LONG COVID CLINIC CLOSING? We want to hear about it! There is also a white and orange coloured megaphone with a Long Covid Support logo on it, lying on a table.

๐Ÿ“ฃ 1/2. #LongCovidClinics Watch UK!!
Are you UK based & have you recently been notified of changes to your local #LongCovid Clinic?

If so, we want to hear about it!

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ’ป Head to our clinics webpage & complete a simple survey:
longcovidclinics.co.uk

31.03.2025 08:36 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Leeds doctor still 'bedbound' three years after Covid infection Dr Alexis Gilbert was working in public health when he fell ill and now struggles with daily tasks.

We need medical research funding for long covid and ME.
We need NHS services that can manage symptoms and prescribe experimental medications.
We need care, understanding and health professionals to be trained in ME.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

20.03.2025 11:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 25    ๐Ÿ” 14    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Long Covid Report 2025 Executive Summary B Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK Executive Summary, March 2025

Hi Till - sorry for the delay.

Here is a link to the Exec Summary: tinyurl.com/Clinic-repor...

Here is a link to the full report: tinyurl.com/Clinic-repor...

All feedback welcome.

20.03.2025 14:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

At the heart of every attack on disability benefits is the myth disabled people โ€œget perksโ€: a free car, loads of cash, a life off work. It misrepresents the reality of disability, whilst exploiting low wages and high living costs to make the public envy people in daily pain.

18.03.2025 19:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3055    ๐Ÿ” 1002    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 64    ๐Ÿ“Œ 48
Grey background with teal writing. 'Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view. A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK' Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logo. There are photos of people on the left of the image.

Grey background with teal writing. 'Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view. A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK' Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logo. There are photos of people on the left of the image.

๐Ÿšจ1/11. NEW: #LongCovid services are failing patients!!

A joint report from us at Long Covid Support & @longcovidkids.bsky.social reveals:

๐Ÿ”ด There are clinics closing

๐Ÿ”ด Care is inconsistent & often falling short of NHS commissioning guidelines

More & link below!! โฌ‡๏ธ

#ClosingClinics

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 30    ๐Ÿ” 15    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
https://tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

2/11. More on our key findings is below, and hereโ€™s a link to our report:

t.co/KCvyVU6g3q

#LongCovid
#ClosingClinics

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Grey background on the left with writing saying Findings 01 Levels of disability. The Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Long Covid is driving high levels of disability. Over half of adults and CYP considered themselves disabled by the condition.

Grey background on the left with writing saying Findings 01 Levels of disability. The Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Long Covid is driving high levels of disability. Over half of adults and CYP considered themselves disabled by the condition.

3/11. OVER HALF of adults & children with #LongCovidย told us they consider themselves #disabled. Yet services are closing & care is inconsistent.

Long Covid must be recognised as a serious, disabling condition!

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
On the left is an orange background with writing saying Finding 02 Insufficient awareness. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a grey background with writing saying Awareness of specialist Long Covid services remains insufficient amongst those with Long Covid. Over a quarter of adults and three-fifths of CYP were not aware of any local specialist Long Covid services. 28% Adults 61% CYP.

On the left is an orange background with writing saying Finding 02 Insufficient awareness. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a grey background with writing saying Awareness of specialist Long Covid services remains insufficient amongst those with Long Covid. Over a quarter of adults and three-fifths of CYP were not aware of any local specialist Long Covid services. 28% Adults 61% CYP.

4/11. ย 61% of children & 28% of adults told us they didnโ€™t know #LongCovid services existed.

How can people access care if they donโ€™t know itโ€™s available?

๐Ÿ“ข We need awareness & proper investment.

Read the report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

#ClosingClinics

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
On the left is a teal background with writing on saying Finding 03 Inadequate care. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom M. On the right is a grey background with white writing saying Specialist Long Covid services are falling short of NHS commissioning guidelines, which stipulate that services should be physician-led and require the option for in-person consultations. Over a quarter of adults and CYP have received neither an in-person appointment nor a remote consultation with a healthcare professional. 28% Adults 26% CYP.

On the left is a teal background with writing on saying Finding 03 Inadequate care. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom M. On the right is a grey background with white writing saying Specialist Long Covid services are falling short of NHS commissioning guidelines, which stipulate that services should be physician-led and require the option for in-person consultations. Over a quarter of adults and CYP have received neither an in-person appointment nor a remote consultation with a healthcare professional. 28% Adults 26% CYP.

5/11. NHS commissioning guidelines require #LongCovid clinics to be physician-led & offer in-person care.

โŒ 25%+ said theyโ€™ve never had an in-person or remote appointment with a physician.

๐Ÿ“ข Patients deserve physician-led care!

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
On the left is a grey background with writing saying Findings 04 Lack of follow-up. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Half of adults and over a quarter of CYP reported that they had been discharged despite still having ongoing symptoms. 51% Adults 28% CYP.

On the left is a grey background with writing saying Findings 04 Lack of follow-up. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Half of adults and over a quarter of CYP reported that they had been discharged despite still having ongoing symptoms. 51% Adults 28% CYP.

6/11. Half of adults & over a quarter of children with #LongCovid told us they were discharged despite ongoing symptoms.

THIS ISNโ€™T CARE - ITโ€™S ABANDONMENT

๐Ÿ“ข We need a sustainable care model.

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Orange background on the left with writing saying Finding 05 Satisfaction with service. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Satisfaction with specialist Long Covid services is low but is higher than that for NHS services overall.

Orange background on the left with writing saying Finding 05 Satisfaction with service. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. On the right is a pale background with grey writing saying Satisfaction with specialist Long Covid services is low but is higher than that for NHS services overall.

7/11. Satisfaction with #LongCovidย clinics is low, but higher than NHS care overall.

๐Ÿ”ด 48% adults & 55% children reported low satisfaction with clinics. Without access NHS dissatisfaction jumps to 77%

๐Ÿ“ข Donโ€™t cut specialist care!

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Green background on the left with text saying Finding 06 Diminishing services. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. In the right is a grey background with white writing saying Specialist Long Covid service provision in the UK is already limited and is set to diminish further. Some services have already closed, others are merging with local providers and many face the risk of closure unless funding is secured beyond March 2025. There is a hanging sign saying CLOSED.

Green background on the left with text saying Finding 06 Diminishing services. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. In the right is a grey background with white writing saying Specialist Long Covid service provision in the UK is already limited and is set to diminish further. Some services have already closed, others are merging with local providers and many face the risk of closure unless funding is secured beyond March 2025. There is a hanging sign saying CLOSED.

8/11. Specialist UK #LongCovid services are already limited - and more are set to close.

โŒ Shut down
โŒ Merging with local providers
โŒ Facing closure by March 2025 without ring fenced funding

๐Ÿ“ข We need action NOW!

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Grey background on the left with writing saying Finding 07 Limited Public Consultation. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. Pale background on the right with grey writing saying Public consultation about specialist Long Covid service change is absent or tokenistic. Few adults and CYP reported participating in public consultations and none felt that the outcomes met their expectations. 6% Adults 1.4% CYP.

Grey background on the left with writing saying Finding 07 Limited Public Consultation. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. Pale background on the right with grey writing saying Public consultation about specialist Long Covid service change is absent or tokenistic. Few adults and CYP reported participating in public consultations and none felt that the outcomes met their expectations. 6% Adults 1.4% CYP.

9/11. Only 6% of adults & 1.4% of children told us they were consulted on #LongCovid service changes.

Patients MUST have a say in the care they rely on.

This is not acceptable.

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social @joplatt.bsky.social @jodiegoslingmp.bsky.social @adrianramsay.bsky.social @ruthjoneslabour.bsky.social @labourlewis.bsky.social @laylamoran.bsky.social

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Grey background with teal writing. 'Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view. A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK' Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logo. Photos of people on the left.

Grey background with teal writing. 'Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view. A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK' Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logo. Photos of people on the left.

11/11. Long Covid services are at risk. We call for urgent action. Key recommendations:

๐Ÿ”น Reinstate surveillance
๐Ÿ”น Reverse clinic closures
๐Ÿ”น Ring-fence funding
๐Ÿ”น Recognise #LongCovidย as a disabling condition.

๐Ÿ“ข Take action!

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Pale background on the left with writing saying Finding 08 Demand for Long Covid care. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. Grey background on the right with white writing saying Health authorities are underestimating the true demand for Long Covid care.

Pale background on the left with writing saying Finding 08 Demand for Long Covid care. Long Covid Support and Long Covid Kids logos are at the bottom. Grey background on the right with white writing saying Health authorities are underestimating the true demand for Long Covid care.

10/11. Health authorities use GP referrals to justify cutting #LongCovidย services, ignoring true demand.

โŒ This method is deeply flawed

โŒ Many needing care arenโ€™t referred

โš ๏ธ Cuts based on bad data put lives at risk!

#ClosingClinics

Report: tinyurl.com/yc9awcyz

17.03.2025 10:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It's a pleasure, we spent the last few months working on it.

Can you get to the news item & download from there? It's at the bottom of the news item. Keep scrolling down!

If not let me look into it. Mt nd to be tomorrow if it reqs a new upload but will reshare to you.

18.03.2025 20:17 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
1 in 10 people arenโ€™t sure if they have long COVID. Why? Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, hereโ€™s a look at how many people are still grappling with the medical consequences of the virus.

Our study on the prevalence of #LongCovid analysing data from over 750K people in England. Will do a thread of main findings later today. Watch this space.
www.euronews.com/health/2025/...

18.03.2025 08:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 52    ๐Ÿ” 15    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
Preview
Long Covid Support To learn more visit LongCovid.org

News item here: www.longcovid.org/impact/news/...

18.03.2025 17:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Long Covid Report 2025 Executive Summary B Disabled, discharged and disappearing from view A snapshot review of Long Covid services across the UK Executive Summary, March 2025

Report links below to executive summary and full report:
Exec summary here: www.calameo.com/brand-and-soul/read/0005611769c6970ed066f
Full report here: www.calameo.com/brand-and-soul/read/000561176764ca62668fd?page=1
Pls share ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™

18.03.2025 17:26 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Long Covid Support To learn more visit LongCovid.org

3/3

News item here: www.longcovid.org/impact/news/...

18.03.2025 17:03 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@sarahwestonrd is following 18 prominent accounts