WHAT HAPPENS WHERE

No Scottish health board currently offers a dedicated Long Covid clinic. Instead, patients are treated in a variety of ways depending on where they live.

NHS Lanarkshire says it has a rehabilitation group to look at Long Covid and takes part in the National Rehabilitation strategy group set up by the Scottish government and university research into treating patients locally. It is also looking to help those with mental and physical illness due to lockdown.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde says its INS:PIRE programme treats Covid survivors in a five-week plan for recovery after the Intensive Care Unit. Physical and psychological rehab is also offered to all.

Highland treats Long Covid with rehabilitation teams and has a small clinical team reviewing evidence nationally and locally. Borders has appointed a Covid lead clinician to work to deliver treatment. Outpatient and home services are being used through occupational, physiotherapy, speech, language therapists along with district nurses

and GPS. Ayrshire and Arran says it treats patients through GP practices and other community health services.

Tayside has hospital care for patients after ICU and other emergency care and physiotherapist and occupational support in the community.

NHS Grampian said: “We are looking at the longer-term effects of Covid-19, and how we can best serve those patients.” NHS Western Isles is at the early stages of planning treatment, including physiotherapy, along with Shetland and Orkney health boards. It said that it will consult Long Covid charities in designing it.

NHS Lothian’s treatment includes hospital rehabilitation, psychological support and community rehab. NHS Forth Valley has a range of services, including rehabilitation teams, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway provides support through specialist teams, including virtual rehab classes and one-toone appointments for specific issues, and developing self-management.