anyone can know what services are needed and where, and how much they will cost, if the data hasn't been collected. i suppose it's part ofjust a very complex picture within our health and social care system and the problems that were already here before long covid happened. but i think data collection is something that we are, 18 months into the pandemic now, there, you know, surely should be some sort of a coordinated approach there and how can the department even know that the money that they've ring—fenced is going to be enough? the department said there are difficulties collecting data on long covid, because of a changing picture where some people recover but others become ill. it added, data is now being gathered but it will be a number of months before there is enough to analyse. it expects the collection of data will improve once services are fully up and running. zoe and dad, david are trying to stay positive.