Boost as funding for clinics extended into next year

THE Long Covid clinics were developed by a group of people including Susanna Preedy, deputy director for Allied Health Professionals for Southern Health.

Susanna has confirmed that funding for the Long Covid clinics has now been extended so that they can continue to offer support to sufferers.

She said: ‘The initial pot we got came centrally, so the government announced back in November that there would be a pot of money for Long Covid clinics and that would run until the end of March.

‘We have now been told that there will be funding for next year as well.

‘We’re really pleased - there’s a real need out there for the patients.’

‘There are a number of conditions or symptoms that people are experiencing with Long Covid, and the clinics will really help. People can reach out for support if they need it.’

Karen West is lead allied health professional for Long Covid in the South East of Hampshire.

She talks to patients about their symptoms before developing a plan to help them in their recovery.

Karen, who is from Havant, said: ‘When the patients come to us they have the opportunity just to talk, to tell their Covid story, how it’s been - it’s a really powerful thing and patients really value that.

‘You see a burden lifting from their faces as they talk about it - realising that they’re not alone and other people have symptoms like them, and someone believes them.’

Karen, who has been a physiotherapist for 32 years, says that she thinks it is ‘really good news’ that the funding can continue.

She added: ‘The numbers are still going down which is really good news, but people are still getting the illness.

‘Some of them will have symptoms that last for months, so it’s really positive that the funding can continue.’

The service is available by GP referral only and is available to anyone still experiencing Covid19 symptoms for more than 12 weeks.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of Long Covid can visit www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/.