To look up local vaccination centres and for information please visit hertsandwestessexics.org.uk/covid-19
Raising awareness of Long COVID & support available
Long COVID has been identified as a significant challenge for patients following exposure to the virus and affects individuals differently based on a number of factors including underlying disease, age of patients, e.g., children, living in areas of deprivation and whether or not patients were admitted to hospital or Intensive Care Units (ITU)
It appears that there is likely to be an ongoing challenge for healthcare organisations and services to manage Long COVID as emerging evidence suggests a significant long-term burden among those experiencing prolonged symptoms.
Although there is no specific treatment for Long COVID, there is a range of resources such as online help, complementary therapies & healthcare support to assist people to manage symptoms effectively.
Long COVID (Post Covid Syndrome)
Long COVID usually presents with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which may change over time and can affect any system within the body. Many people with Long COVID may also experience generalised pain, fatigue, persisting high temperature and psychiatric problems.
‘Long COVID’ is a commonly used term to describe:
- Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: signs and symptoms of COVID-19 from 4 to 12 weeks.
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome: signs and symptoms that develop during or after COVID-19 and continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.
General practice plays a key role in supporting patients, both adults and children, with long term symptoms of COVID-19. This includes assessing, diagnosing, referring where necessary and providing longer term holistic support of patients.
Workforce education and training has taken place on how to identify, assess and manage Long COVID in patients.
Following patient assessment with a GP and relevant tests being completed, if ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 is diagnosed (from 4 weeks after infection), patients may be offered the following:
Other local rehabilitation or support services
Supported self-management from the practice or primary care network team; this may include input from social prescribers, health / wellbeing coaches and care coordinators with linking into community groups or other existing community services as appropriate.
Post COVID assessment clinics
Referral into a Post COVID assessment clinic if self-management alone is not appropriate and if further investigations or support are required.
COVID-19 vaccinations
Please do not call the surgery about arranging a covid vaccine or booster as we cannot assist, all housebound patients have previously been contacted by our team to organise vaccination.
You can book a vaccination through the national booking service website or go to the Healthier Future website to check your eligibility for a vaccination, see answers to frequently asked questions, or find out about walk-in appointments.
covid.healthierfuture.org.uk/events/vaccination-walk-in-clinic-times