Long Covid service leafletAcute Assessment Unit
About us
We are an NHS service for adults living in Richmond who have been adversely affected by Covid-19 for at least 4 weeks after an infection.
Long Covid-19 symptoms are wide-ranging and fluctuating, and may include severe fatigue, breathlessness, headaches, muscle aches, brain fog, and heart rate changes.
Therapy is delivered in the most appropriate place, either as an outpatient at Richmond Rehab Unit, as an online video call appointment, as a telephone consultation, or at home.
The team consists of an occupational therapist (OT) and a physiotherapist.
We have close links with GPs, Richmond Community and Kingston Hospital Respiratory Teams, and Richmond Talking Therapies.
- Post-viral fatigue - A guide to management - this guide provides information about how to manage fatigue / activity levels from the time of initial infection (or relapse) and beyond.
What we offer
A period of support and guidance to help manage symptoms and daily life, including:
- fatigue management
- cognitive strategies
- breathlessness management
- optimising rest and recovery
- advice on self-care, eg, sleep, diet, mood
- guidance about work, exercise, or other activities
Patients will receive an initial assessment and create a personalised health and wellbeing plan with the team 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. We offer up to 6 sessions. Past patients can self-refer for review if they require further support.
Resources
You may find some of these resources helpful in better understanding Long Covid and finding strategies to manage your symptoms.
We have created a series of Long Covid virtual support sessions with information and tips for recovery and staying well.
Approaches to Long COVID self-management and recovery
Long COVID fatigue management
Wellbeing and optimising rest
Breathlessness, pain management and exercise precautions
Referrals
We will contact your GP to confirm medical history and to request any other tests if needed, so that other possible causes of your symptoms are ruled out.
With the agreement of your GP, we will then contact you to arrange a face-to-face appointment.
Referrals should be sent to hounslowandrichmond.
Patients can also self-refer to the service. Please see below for more details.
Referral criteria
- Richmond GP
- Ongoing symptoms 4+ weeks after acute COVID-19 (or suspected infection)- other possible causes ruled out with relevant investigations
- Refer via SPA hounslowandrichmondspa
@nhs.net
Required information
- Dates of Covid-19 infection/suspected infection (if testing was not available)
- Co-morbidities
- Current medication
- Evidence of investigations relevant to presenting symptoms if clinically indicated e.g.:
- Full blood count, kidney and liver function tests, C‑reactive protein, ferritin, B‑type natriuretic peptide (BNP), HbA1c and thyroid function tests (NICE, 2021, p. 55)
- Chest X-Ray
- ECG
Discuss a referral or case
Roisin Hyde, Clinical Lead/ Occupational Therapist
Telephone: 020 8614 7380
Criteria
- Ongoing symptoms for 4 weeks or more post COVID-19 infection (or suspected COVID-19)
- For typical symptoms see Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Registered with a Richmond Borough GP
Process
Contact us by email or phone to request a self-referral for long Covid.
So that we can access your health records, please provide:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Home address
- NHS number
We will contact you by phone to discuss your symptoms and ask about:
- COVID infection date/ history
- Any medical investigations to date
- Medical history
- Current symptoms/ impact
We will contact your GP to confirm medical history and to request any other tests if needed.
With the agreement of your GP, we will then contact you to arrange a face-to-face appointment.