Long Covid: Medical and community support for those living with Long Covid in and around Portsmouth

Have you had COVID-19 recently but still have ongoing symptoms or concerns? Stock photo - the model is posed for illustrative purposes

In September 2022 the Office for National Statistics estimated around 3.5 per cent of the population may have Long COVID - that would equate to around 7,000 people in Portsmouth.

Looking at these ONS statistics, as well as infection rates locally, Health and Care Portsmouth partners came together to raise awareness of Long COVID and offer advice on how to diagnose it, how to manage the illness, and to let people know what support is available in Portsmouth.

Helen Atkinson, Director of Public Health, said: "Long COVID can have a long-lasting and debilitating affect on people's lives. It is our aim that with this campaign, more people will know how they can access support and enable

Do you think you might have Long COVID? Help is at hand locally. Stock photo - model is posed for illustrative purposes

"We are working together to make sure there is adequate medical and community support for people to complement the amazing work being done nationally by our NHS."

Long COVID is a fairly new condition and it is becoming more understood as time goes on. You can find out more information on local support on the Health and Care Portsmouth website.

What is Long Covid?

Long COVID is defined by COVID symptoms carrying on after the actual infection has gone away. It’s usually classed as Long Covid if they carry on for four months (12 weeks) or longer and the symptoms are varied and can change as time goes on.

Find out about where to get medical and community support. Stock photo - model is posed for illustrative purposes

Common symptoms include:

– Breathing and chest problems (breathlessness, tightness in the chest, a persistent cough)

– Feeling very tired

– Fever

If you have Long COVID symptoms don’t suffer alone. Stock photo - model is posed for illustrative purposes

– Brain problems (difficulty focusing, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, delirium)

– Stomach problems (stomach aches, nausea, sickness and diarrhoea, weight loss)

– Joint and muscle pain

What to do if you think you have Long COVID

Anyone worried about their symptoms should first of all contact their GP practice, who can then decide what tests and treatments need to be tried. If they think you may have Long COVID they may refer you to the local Long COVID service.

The Long COVID page of the website gives more information on how and when to seek medical and social support and how you can try to manage the symptoms day to day.

Long Covid Services in Portsmouth

Local NHS providers (Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Solent NHS Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust) have a number of clinics to help patients suffering from the effects of Long Covid.

It is part of a £10m initiative by NHS England, which is paying for 69 clinics across the country – six of these being in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

If you are referred to the Long Covid service you’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire and you will then be given a number of physical, cognitive and psychological assessments. Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) will then work alongside other health teams to develop a support plan that will help improve their health outcomes and quality of life.

Patients will also be signposted to existing Long Covid support services and will have access to the ‘Living with Covid’ App, offering patients education, support and encouragement.

Dr Hayden Kirk, Clinical Director at Solent NHS Trust, said: “It is vital that people with Long COVID get the support they need. Through our partnership working within the NHS, we will be able to draw on existing specialist services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in a coordinated manner to address every person’s individual needs to ensure they can benefit from a wide range of specialist advice.”

Find out more

Having a long-term condition such as Long Covid can affect many aspects of your life – including work or study and can affect people’s mental health and well as their physical abilities. This is recognised by those involved in the Long Covid partnership, who are working together to co-ordinate support and advice on all aspects of living with and managing Long Covid.

Partners involved in the Long COVID project include: Portsmouth City Council, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, Solent NHS Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Portsmouth Primary Care Alliance.

For more details and information visit the website.