A major study has found people with serious health conditions are “significantly more anxious” about the lifting of covid-19 restrictions than others.

A survey of 2000 adults in Scotland found around 60% who had a physical health problem that affected their daily living or a chronic mental health condition were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ anxious about the easing of covid-19 rules.

This compares to 45% of the general population.

The Mental Health Foundation, which is running the study, is calling on the Scottish government to provide targeted mental health support for people with long-term conditions.

The Scottish government said it was “mindful” of people’s concerns and was investing £120m into mental health services.

Nicola Sturgeon has said it is safe for people who were most at-risk of covid-19 to enjoy a “greater degree of normality”, despite a plea for caution from disabled people, unpaid carers and charities.

But one expert has said the Scottish government should keep providing support to those who make a “personal choice” to shield again, given high levels of community infections.

The research, which involves five universities across the UK and was carried out at the end of June, found 39% of those surveyed in Scotland were worried about a new wave of infections.

This rose for over-55s and those with long-term health conditions, as well as single parents.

Study lead Susan Solomon, from the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Since March 2020, our research into the mental health impact of the pandemic has demonstrated that existing inequalities experienced by particular groups of people, including those living with long term physical and mental health conditions, lone parents and young adults, have been exacerbated. 

“We know that people who identify within these groups are more likely than the general population to have lived with loneliness, anxiety, hopelessness, stress and, for some, feeling suicidal.”

Ms Solomon added: “We urge the Scottish Government to fully realise its Transition and Recovery Plan commitment to provide appropriate mental health support to people with long-term conditions whose mental health has been affected by the pandemic.

“This was promised to be delivered by March 2021 and is important in the context of lifted restrictions.”   

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We know that some people at highest risk may have heightened anxiety as restrictions ease and have been mindful of this as we considered how we respond to this pandemic.  

“Having had to change the way we live and behave since the pandemic began has been very difficult and it is natural that adapting to the easing of restrictions will also take time.”

The government did not address the specific call by the Mental Health Foundation for targeted support, instead stating:   

“The Transition and Recovery Plan is supported by £120m to transform services, with a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention, and to support the mental health needs of those who are at highest risk or have had their physical treatment delayed as a result of the pandemic.

“We are working with boards to support their local recovery plans and target investment to improve access to mental health services and will continue to monitor this. This year NHS Board allocations of £34.1m have already been agreed for improvements to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Psychological Therapies.”

Read more: Call to keep supporting people who want to shield; Shielding ‘not effective’ in preventing covid deaths; FM won’t risk “shielding by default” for at risk Scots 

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