Long COVID Service - Sefton

What is Long COVID?

Patients can develop Post COVID Syndrome (commonly known as Long COVID), after having COVID-19. Although most people recover from COVID-19, some may experience longer term effects including a range of symptoms such as: fatigue, breathlessness, a cough, ‘brain fog’, anxiety, low mood and poor sleep. Long COVID is when symptoms last 12 weeks or more. Long COVID can affect a wide range of people from those who are young, fit and active to older people.

What is the Long COVID Service?

The service aims to provide help and support to people in local communities with Long COVID symptoms. It’s open to adults who’ve been suffering with symptoms for 12 weeks or more. You do not need to have been treated in hospital for COVID to be referred to the service.

The Long COVID team is made up of different healthcare professionals: doctor, coordinator, physiotherapist, psychologist, social prescriber and pathway advisor. You may not need to see each member of the team but it’s important that the right people are available should you need help with a specific part of your recovery.

The team will complete a holistic assessment, talk through the care and support available, set goals and help you to manage and recover from Long COVID symptoms.

Why have you been referred to the Long COVID Service?

You will already have seen your GP and had tests, but you continue to be concerned by some of the longer lasting effects of your COVID-19 infection. Therefore, your GP will have referred you into our service.

What to expect from the Long COVID Service

This is an opportunity for you to discuss the symptoms you’re experiencing following your COVID-19 infection.

Symptoms can be many and varied and can change over time. The service enables you to see a range of professionals who will work with you to develop a personalised care plan that meets your needs.

Long COVID assessment

Before you attend clinic in person, the community matron will phone you to assess your suitability for the service by completing a brief assessment called the Yorkshire Rehab Screening Tool. This information allows us to understand whether you’re experiencing problems related to coronavirus, and allows us to focus on the things that are important to you.

The phone call usually takes place the week before the clinic appointment. It will take up to 40 minutes so please ensure you are in a quiet place where you can focus on the call.

Social prescribing

A social prescriber may also contact you. The team focuses on the wider factors that can affect health and wellbeing such as housing, debt or employment and can offer vital support and advice should you need it.

Clinic time

The clinic is open from 9am. Please arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment if possible so that we can make sure that your information is up to date. We will also answer any questions you may have. You can attend appointments with a carer if you find this helpful.

Arriving at the clinic

If you have mobility or accessibility concerns, please phone the clinic beforehand where staff will be happy to help. When you arrive at the clinic please report to the reception area on the ground floor.

Staff will direct you to the appropriate waiting area where a member of the Long COVID Team will meet you.

Please be aware that for everybody’s safety we ask that patients and carers wear masks or face coverings (unless exempt), use hand gel and maintain safe distancing.

Clinic structure

During your time at the clinic, you may need to be seen by different members of the team. Each patient will have different issues due to their COVID-19 and our aim is for you to see the right people to help you and meet your needs.

Each appointment will focus on the different symptoms that you may be experiencing so please remember you may not need to see every member of the Long COVID team.