The service provides support for people aged 16 plus who have been experiencing symptoms of covid-19 for more than 4 weeks – this is referred to as long covid.
Individuals are referred into the service by their GP following an initial consultation to ensure that symptoms are not associated with an underlying condition.
Following this a referral may be made into the service for an assessment with a member of the team, including exercise physiologists, GPs, social prescribers and mental health & wellbeing practitioners.
The assessment will check the individual’s blood pressure, oxygen levels, pulse and weight. A function ability test may also be completed.
After the assessment, a plan will be developed to help the individual manage their symptoms and daily living. Further assessments may also be arranged eg further blood tests or cardiology and respiratory investigations.
Individuals can also be referred to the regional long covid psychology service for additional mental wellbeing support.
The Long Covid Service is a rehabilitation service and does not provide urgent or emergency medical care.
Support
Once you have been referred into the service different health care professionals will assess you. This will help to inform your recovery plan.
As part of the appointment and with your consent the team will check your blood pressure, oxygen levels, pulse and weight. An ECG (heart trace) may also be repeated to ensure there have been no changes to your heart rate or rhythm since your referral.
If safe to do so the team will also measure your functional ability with a simple test called the ‘one minute sit to stand test.’ During this test, your heart rate and oxygen levels will be measured as you stand and sit as many times as you can within one minute. This test is recommended in the NICE best practice guidance for long covid assessment. If you are unable to physically do the test or you do not want to do the test on the day please do not worry, the team can assess you by talking to you about your ability to do daily activities.
Working with you the team will use all of the information to agree a plan to help manage your symptoms and help you with daily living.
Depending on your individual symptoms, further physical assessments may also be arranged, such as further blood tests, cardiology (heart) investigations or respiratory (breathing) investigations.
Wellbeing and mental health concerns are a major part of living with long covid. The team will work closely with Wirral Talking Therapies, occupational therapists and also the Regional Long Covid Psychology Service if required.
Long covid clinics
Clinics are delivered every week:
- Wednesday 12.30pm – 3.00pm
- Thursday 9.00am – 3.00pm
- Friday 12.30pm – 3.00pm
Location: The Wallasey Heart Centre, First Floor, Victoria Central Health Centre, Mill Lane, Wallasey
