Date published: 15 August 2022
Mersey Care’s Tier 3 Long COVID Assessment and Treatment Service is open in all four areas to help people who have had COVID. At clinics, people can be seen by different members of the team. Each patient will have different issues due to their COVID-19 and the aim is for them to see the right people to help meet their needs.
Members of each team include: GP, community matron (a very experienced nurse), care co-ordinator, social prescriber and pulmonary rehab physiotherapist.
Referrals to clinic are by GP only and clinics are 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. The service helps them find resources and/or treatments to manage these symptoms effectively so they can rehabilitate to living a fulfilling life.
Teams are keen to share decision making as there may be choices available regarding whether or not to have treatment, which treatment to choose, and whether treatment should be continued. They need to know what is important to the patient so that they can help them make the right decision about their healthcare.
Symptoms of Long COVID include: fatigue, breathlessness, anxiety and depression, palpitations, chest pains, joint or muscle pain, not being able to think straight or focus (‘brain fog’), dizziness, persistent cough, loss of taste or sense of smell.
If you think you have, or know someone who may have Long COVID, and you live in Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens or Knowsley, speak to your GP and ask to be referred to the service.
For further information about our service, visit our service page.