Long Covid

After having COVID-19, some people feel unwell and take longer to recover than others. If these symptoms last 12 weeks or longer, and are not explained by another diagnosis, it may be Long Covid.

Long Covid can affect any part of your body with different symptoms, which may come and go. Examples of common symptoms are:

Respiratory symptoms: cough, breathlessness Heart and circulation: chest tightness, chest pain or palpitations Digestive system: abdominal pain, nausea, reduced appetite Musculoskeletal: joint and / or muscle pain Ear, nose and throat: ringing in the ears, earache, dizziness, loss of taste and /or smell

General symptoms: fatigue, pain, pins and needles, Neurological symptoms: – ‘brain fog’ poor memory, poor concentration or memory issues, headache Psychological: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep problems Dermatological: skin rashes, hair loss

How do I get a referral to the Long Covid Service?

You’ll need to be referred by your GP. Your GP may recommend you have some tests before they refer you to the service to exclude any other reasons for your symptoms.

 

Your initial appointment

You’ll be invited to an initial appointment with the Long Covid service – this will be an online or phone clinic appointment. During the appointment you’ll have an opportunity to speak to members of the team including a Doctor, Respiratory Physiotherapist and a representative from the Bucks Talking Therapies service. They’ll identify the areas and symptoms you’re most concerned about. The appointment will last up to one and a half hours and is the first step to developing your treatment plan.

Next steps

After the initial appointment, most people will be referred to the Long Covid Rehabilitation Service.

However, you may be referred for further specific tests to rule out any other reasons for your symptoms (if these have not already been completed by your GP) or you may be referred to a specialist team to treat a specific issue.

The Long Covid Rehabilitation Service

This is a short-term, therapy-driven service. We aim to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence to manage your symptoms and the impact of these, by providing strategies and tools that will help you to start making changes to improve your quality of life.

The service offers three types of input, or any combination of these three types, depending on your needs and priorities:

1. Access to the ‘Living With’ App where you can track your progress, complete activities to help you manage your symptoms, access various related resources and initially be supported by one of the team via the app.
2. Online group workshops covering common topics such as fatigue, wellbeing, cognitive issues and employment support.
3. Individual input from a member of the core team.

The service is short term. Between appointments there is an opportunity for you to put the skills and strategies you’ve learned into practice. Once you’ve completed a programme of activity, you’ll be offered a further appointment at which you’ll have a chance to review your progress and consider any future plans. Our aim is to support you to feel more in control and better able to manage your symptoms.