Promoting self-management for people with early symptoms of long covid
Estimates suggest that up to 100,000 people across the country are suffering from long covid, which means it is highly likely that hundreds of people in our communities are also living with this debilitating condition, and looking for help. Among the most common symptoms of long covid are breathlessness, chronic fatigue, pain and brain fog, as well as persistent stress and anxiety.
Different cohorts of people may need different interventions; short term post-viral fatigue associated with COVID will be helped by this self management approach; where as people struggling with longer term functional limitation and Long term covid syndrome may need referral to our service especially those with pre-existing long term conditions.
From December 2020, patients across Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire have been able to receive dedicated care and treatment for symptoms associated with long Covid via an assessment clinic run by Wiltshire Health and Care; this requires a GP referral.
The clinic is designed to help people who still have symptoms related to a Covid infection after 12 weeks. The aim of the clinic is to identify what symptoms a person is experiencing and how this is affecting them day to day. We help them find resources and/or treatments to manage these symptoms effectively so they can rehabilitate to living a fulfilling life. We have been referred 900 people via the GP electronic referral form.
A team of Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and other health professionals work together to assess patients from across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to provide a Long Covid rehabilitation assessment clinic.
The telephone-based assessment is managed by dedicated clinicians who will signpost patients to the care and support most relevant to their condition, which, in most cases, is likely to be a form of self-care.
Patients with more complex symptoms will be discussed by the team in the virtual multidisciplinary clinic, who will be responsible for allocating more specific support from an existing NHS or voluntary sector service; this may involve a secondary care referral. We are offering a virtual rehab course -‘Health Futures’ run as small groups led by an Occupational therapist.
It should be noted that patients are unable to self-refer to this MDT support, and can only receive care through an NHS referral.
Find out more:-
- Your COVID Recovery | Supporting your recovery after COVID-19
- Additional information about the BSW clinic can be found Long Covid Rehabilitation assessment clinic.