Some spoke about the general lack of recognition and support from their doctors. Duncan talked about the partnership between Fifth Sense and Cadent, the UK’s largest gas network, whose funding is enabling the charity to increase its training and educational activity for health and social care professionals to help tackle this issue – read more about the partnership here.

Following Duncan’s talk to the local Wellbeing team, made up of prescribers working with GP practices in the area, feedback was shared on smell impairment and safety. Particular concerns were raised about older people they work with, and indeed family members with a poor sense of smell. As a result, the support, information and resources provided by Fifth Sense was hugely welcome, and building on this as a result of the Cadent funding, will be game-changing.

Duncan said ‘My visit really highlighted the challenges faced by people living with smell dysfunction as part of other Long Covid symptoms. Hearing someone talk about how their brain fog means they can forget they’ve put the oven on, and are then unable to detect the smell of burning.  The work we are doing in partnership with Cadent is helping make people aware of the dangers associated with being unable to smell, and what steps they can take to manage this. It’s great that the team are going to sharing our resources going forwards to help support people’s wellbeing and safety. Many thanks to Fleur, Ceri and their colleagues for the fantastic work they are doing to help people living with smell and taste disorders’.