Hundreds referred to Dorset’s Long COVID clinic
A new clinic is helping people in Dorset who still have coronavirus symptoms months later
Last updated 16th Mar 2021
A clinic set up to help people experiencing ‘Long COVID’ in Dorset has had 172 referrals so far.
Long COVID doesn’t have a clinical definition yet, but affects people who still have a range of symptoms months after their initial coronavirus infection.
Those symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain, but a full list can be found here.
Estimates show 1 in 10 people may still experience coronavirus symptoms after 12 weeks.
The new long COVID assessment will allow patients access to support from Dorset HealthCare In the form of self-care, peer-to-peer help groups, virtual clinics or face-to-face appointments with experts.
Support may also come from patients being referred to existing local rehabilitation services or signposted to relevant voluntary sector groups.
Dr Forbes Watson is a GP in Lyme Regis and Chair of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group.
He said:
“Most patients will make a full recovery following their coronavirus within a few weeks of their illness.
However, unfortunately there will be some whose recovery will take longer which may be quite worrying.
We want to ensure that these people are given appropriate support depending on their individual problems and are confident that this service will ensure that will happen. With the support of this service, we expect people to be able to return back to their previous lifestyle including hobbies and interests”