NHS England announces over 60 long COVID clinics to treat thousands of patients
Thousands of patients suffering with long-term effects of coronavirus can now access specialist help at more than 60 specialist centres, NHS England has unveiled.
The assessment centres are taking referrals from GPs for people experiencing brain fog, anxiety, depression, breathlessness, fatigue and other debilitating symptoms. The clinics will allow long COVID patients to receive the right treatment and rehabilitation.
NHS England has provided £10 million for the network of clinics, which started opening last month, and there are now 69 operating across the country with hundreds of patients already getting help.
Sir Simon Stevens, NHS Chief Executive, said: “The NHS is taking practical action to help patients suffering ongoing health issues as a result of coronavirus. Bringing expert clinicians together in these clinics will deliver an integrated approach to support patients access vital rehabilitation, as well as helping develop a greater understanding of long covid and its debilitating symptoms.”
Ten sites are now operational in London, seven in the East of England, eight in the Midlands, South East and South West respectively, nine in the North West and a further 18 across the North East and Yorkshire.
A further 12 sites are earmarked to launch in January in the East Midlands, Lancashire, Cornwall and Isle of Wight.
View the full list of services here
The NHS has also launched a long COVID taskforce, with patients, charities, researchers and clinicians involved, to help lead the NHS response to long COVID, produce information and support materials for patients and healthcare professionals, and develop a wider understanding of the condition.
