Long Covid services to be set up in NI
It is anticipated that the assessment and treatment services will be established by end of October 2021
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has announced new services for the treatment and assessment of so called "Long Covid".
Mr Swann has said providing appropriate assessments and treatments for patients who are experiencing long-term effects of Coronavirus is an “essential part of building back services.”
They are set to include the establishment of a new multi-disciplinary assessment service for post-Covid-19 patients.
Mr Swann said: “Covid-19 has presented many challenges, not least for our health service. And whilst we will continue to live with Covid-19 for some time yet, we need to focus on rebuilding our services in a post-Covid era.
“That is a challenge.
“That is the legacy of Covid-19. We need to build back better and stronger than before and to deal with the issues coming our way post-pandemic.”
The services will be in place across all Health and Social Care Trust areas and be open to referrals from both primary and secondary care.
Mr Swann added: “The new services will offer dedicated support for the assessment and treatment of post-Covid-19 syndrome over the short and medium term.
“The proposed model will also strengthen core services for psychology and post-critical care recovery in the long-term including follow-up services for patients.''
It is anticipated that the services will be established by the end of October 2021.
In the meantime, patients displaying Long-Covid symptoms will continue to be treated via existing services in both primary and secondary care.
Elements of the new service will include a pulmonary rehabilitation/dysfunctional breathing service, follow up services for patients discharged from critical care and psychology support for all health trusts.
21st December 2021
Northern Ireland's largest vaccination centre at the TEC, Titanic Quarter Belfast, opens it s doors for booster walk-ins and appointments.
September 11th 2021
A pop-up clinic at the Limelight provided vaccinations and free gig tickets to those taking up the jab
September 8th 2021
The Health and Agriculture Ministers have jointly urged the farming and rural community to protect themselves from Covid-19 through vaccination. The appeal in the farming and rural community will provide walk-in vaccinations at September's Balmoral Show.
August 22nd 2021
Vaccination staff at the SSE Arena at the end of the Big Jab Weekend.
June 24th 2021
Northern Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination centres are now offering first dose appointments to everyone aged 18 and over
June 27th 2021
80% of the adult population have now a first jab and close to 60% are fully vaccinated with both doses. The two million mark has been reached, as the centre opens for walk-in vaccinations at the SSE Arena Belfast.
May 18th 2021
Over a million people in Northern Ireland have now received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose.
May 11th 2021
Department of Health confirmed half a million people have received both doses of the Coronavirus vaccine
April 2020
At the end of April 2020 Oxford University launched a trial testing a potential Covid-19 on human participants.
30th April 2021
Limited availability for those aged 30 to 34 to book a Covid-19 vaccine.
26th April 2021
Vaccination slots are open to those born between 01/04/81 and 30/04/86 across NI.
10th April 2021
One million doses of the Covid vaccine have now been administered in Northern Ireland.
19th April 2021
35-39 year olds are offered a limited opportunity to book a covid vaccine.
This is in advance of opening the programme to the entire 35-39 age group by the end of April.
8th April 2021
People aged 40-44 now able to book their vaccination appointments across Northern Ireland.
7th April 2021
Under 30s will be offered alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine due to 'small number' of blood clots.
READ MORE
31st March 2021
Health Minister Robin Swann received his first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine at Ballee Community Pharmacy, he urged others who are eligible to do the same.
30th March 2021
In an effort to bring the jab to local high streets and rural areas, hundreds of community pharmacies and chemists joined the vaccine rollout.
29th March 2021
The carpark at the SSE Arena in Belfast was a Covid-19 testing facility. Meanwhile the arena inside was transformed into a vaccination site to administer around 40,000 vaccines per week.
READ MORE
28th March 2021
50% of Northern Ireland's adult population receive a covid vaccine, with a total of 719,260 administered by March 28th.
READ MORE
27th March 2021
First Minister Arlene Foster was given an AstraZeneca jab at the Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.
14th March 2021
Vaccine roll-out continues across Northern Ireland despite temporary halt to AstraZeneca jab in the Republic. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the move following reports of serious blood clotting events in adults in Norway.
READ MORE
12th March 2021
The UK's Defence Secretary approved the deployment of 100 defence medics for vaccination support.
READ MORE:
17th February 2021
A major extension of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 vaccination programme was announced, with responsibilities divided between GP practices and the seven regional vaccination centres run by health trusts.
26th January 2021
The Department of Health revealed plans to scale up the Covid vaccination programme - everyone aged over 65 would be offered a jab within five weeks.
4th January 2021
The roll-out of a second covid-19 vaccination programme (Oxford/AstraZeneca) began across Northern Ireland.
READ MORE
8th December 2020
Belfast nurse Joanna Sloan became the first person in Northern Ireland, and indeed on the island of Ireland, to be vaccinated.
2nd December 2020
The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Read More:
Older people left anxious, worried and low after lockdown
A host of stalwarts honoured on the Queen's Birthday Honours from NI
DT Cool FM launch 'You're not alone' campaign ahead of loneliness week
How to listen to Downtown Country: