A UNIVERSITY lecturer is working on research to support the long-term recovery of critically ill patients who have received intensive care treatment for coronavirus.

Dr Alan Richardson, principal lecturer in the School of Sport and Service Management at the University of Brighton, is working with hospitals in Sussex and Surrey on the study with Dr Todd Leckie and Intensive Care consultant Dr Luke Hodgson, who both work for the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at Worthing Hospital.

The research aims to find out whether critically ill patients who have been on a ventilator - from coronavirus or not - can benefit from remote prescribed exercise following their discharge from hospital.

Dr Richardson said: “It’s basically a form of socially distanced exercise rehabilitation.

“We’re trying to look at how they medically get on, one year after Covid-19 and whether they do better by being active, adhering to remote physiotherapy and motivational support.

“We know those who have had serious respiratory issues caused by coronavirus and have been on a ventilator will have their ability to exercise severely affected. We are trying to improve their recovery by encouraging progressive physical exercise, albeit at a much lighter level than before.”