Long Covid Service
Service
Locality: South West
Type of Care: Community
It is recognised that many people experiencing ongoing health effects following COVID-19 infection managed their condition independently at home while acutely infected. Importantly, not all patients seriously impacted in the longer term were hospitalised or had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.
Clinical Commissioning Groups were asked by Department of Health to establish post-COVID assessment clinics/treatment for patients experiencing long-term health effects following COVID-19 infection.
The provider for patients in the West Hampshire CCG geography is SHFT and Long COVID clinics are now available.
Clinics offer physical, cognitive and psychological assessments with the aim of providing consistent post-COVID syndrome services for all who need them, whether they were hospitalised or not, and regardless of whether clinically diagnosed or by a SARS-CoV-2 test. Some patients will need therapeutic input, rehabilitation, psychological support, specialist investigation or treatment once they have been assessed at the clinic, and it is the responsibility of the clinic to refer patients on to existing services as needed. These may be in either community or acute care.
Diagnostic tests will be expected to be undertaken by primary care where possible, in advance of the patient attending the post-COVID clinic, however, a full suite of diagnostics is available within the clinics themselves.
The patient may be directed to additional self-help using the national ‘Living with COVID’ APP and ‘Your COVID Recovery’ – an APP which can be provided within the clinical setting and will be monitored by the clinical team.
It is expected that most patients will be seen virtually, but face to face appointments will also be provided.
A weekly MDT, led by an acute care consultant will review cases and in exceptional circumstances some may be referred to a regional MDT for further guidance.
Clinics will be available to adults who meet the clinical case definition of post-COVID syndrome by showing signs and symptoms that develop during or following an infection consistent with COVID-19 which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Below is the referral form which must be emailed to the service using the email address provided at the top of the form.
