We are an NHS service for adults (18 and above) living in the South Warwickshire area who have been adversely affected by Covid-19 for at least 4 weeks or more after their diagnosis.
We support people who struggle to carry out everyday activities because of the after-effects of Covid-19.
Long Covid-19 symptoms are wide ranging and fluctuating, and include fatigue, breathlessness, headaches, muscle aches, brain fog, and heart rate changes.
The team consists of a respiratory physiotherapist, dietitian, occupational therapist (OT), clinical psychologist, high intensity CBT therapist and medical support.
We have close links with GPs, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, George Elliot Hospital and University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
A period of support and guidance to help manage symptoms and daily life, including:
fatigue management
breathlessness management
optimising rest and recovery
cognitive strategies
advice on self-care, e.g. sleep
nutritional advice and support
emotional well-being
guidance about work, exercise, or other activities
Patients will receive a questionnaire to fill out before their initial telephone call to help us determine who they need to see within the Long Covid Team. This means we can ensure they are seeing the right people to help support them in managing their symptoms.
If a patient needs to be seen by 3 or more clinicians within the team, they will be booked into our Post Covid Multi-disciplinary Team Clinic.
The team will work with each individual to create a personalised self-management plan to address their main concerns and goals.
This plan will be reviewed and updated as appropriate. Treatment may be one to one or within a closed group.
People within South Warwickshire who are experiencing ongoing symptoms for 4 weeks or more after a Covid-19 diagnosis can be referred by a GP or other health professional.
Investigations to rule out other causes of symptoms should be completed by GPs before referral. This should include some blood tests and a chest x-ray 6 weeks after your initial Covid 19 symptoms started.
Great information resources for all patients with ongoing symptoms post-COVID-19:
SIGN Long COVID patient booklet - A booklet for people who have signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust Long Covid Service is affiliated with ENO Breath programme (referral criteria apply, please discuss with your clinician).
Post-Viral Fatigue - A Guide to Management
This guide by the British Association of Clinicians in ME/ CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is very relevant to many people with acute Covid-19/ Long Covid. It provides guidance on how to manage fatigue/ activity levels from time of initial infection (or relapse) and beyond.
Fatigue and Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation
Many people with Long Covid experience crashes or symptom exacerbation after activity; ‘pushing through’ makes things worse rather than aiding recovery. Read more about post-exertional malaise and discuss with your clinician if this sounds relevant to you.
Peer support can be helpful by reducing the sense of isolation by talking to people with shared experiences. We help facilitate some peer support in the groups within the post-COVID service at SWFT.
Fifth Sense is a charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders and has a specific webpage page dedicated to COVID-19. Their main website has information regarding taste and smell disorders, a community and smell training. It also has dedicated resources for young people and their parents.
Staying lightly active is important in preventing weakness and muscle loss. Gentle exercise/activity may be helpful for some people, but the amount and type of exercise can vary depending on the individual. If you are seeing physiotherapists they will be able to guide you in what to do. Keeping a diary can be helpful for you to see patterns in your routine and symptoms. An example is provided below:
Watch a video of Lizzie, a patient of South Warwickshire University NHS Trust's Long Covid-19 clinic who talks about her experience.
Patient feedback:
"The main thing that I’d like to say about the Long COVID service is the very fact that it exists. I am most heartened to see that even in an age when there is immense pressure on NHS resources, SWFT have taken this seriously and pulled together a multi-disciplinary team. This alone has had a major impact on my well-being to know that my issues were being taken seriously. The triage element of the service – whereby concerns have been escalated and swift appointments made with appropriate departments has also been of great reassurance."
“It is such a relief speaking to people who understand and knowing its not made up in my head. Thank you for your time.”
“I have found the support of the long covid team invaluable in navigating the condition and learning to manage my symptoms, especially around fatigue and brain fog. The team has been supportive, non judgemental and full of positive advice and tips I can use going forward. I have learned about my body and how to manage it to live a full life despite the long covid symptoms.”
We ran our first Face to Face Post Covid Therapy group which ran over 7 weeks and we received great feedback:
NHS encourages residents in Coventry & Warwickshire to think ‘it could be Long Covid’
The NHS is encouraging people that have been unwell with Covid-19 and who have lasting symptoms to think ‘it could be Long Covid’ and contact their GP.
Despite being post-pandemic, Covid-19 has not ‘gone away’ and even when people get over the initial illness, many continue to experience symptoms long after recovering from the virus. This condition, often called Long Covid or Post-Covid Syndrome, can affect anyone who has had Covid-19, regardless of the severity of their initial infection.
Long Covid is a term used to describe ongoing symptoms that persist for more than 12 weeks after Covid-19 and aren’t explained by an alternative diagnosis. Long Covid can affect people of all ages, including those who experienced only mild symptoms during their initial bout with the virus. While some individuals recover fully from Covid-19, others develop a range of lingering health issues, collectively referred to as Long Covid. The condition can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult for people to return to their normal routines.
If you have had Covid-19 and are suffering with fatigue, breathlessness, or a cough, it could be Long Covid. Symptoms also include (but are not limited to):
Headaches
Muscle aches
Brain fog
Heart palpitations
Altered smell and taste
You can find out more about symptoms on the NHS website.
