Author: Iolanthe Fowler

Date Published: October 2022

Date to Review: December 2023

Document is a replacement of GP comms published in Dec 2021. It details a clearer breakdown of the pathway for referrals through primary care and information on diagnosing Long Covid, including links to other resources to support both GPs and Patients.

Description:

The Sheffield Long Covid Rehabilitation Hub (LCRH) is one of a network of nationwide assessment centres providing help for patients suffering longer lasting health issues because of having had Covid.

These prolonged effects, estimated to affect 5-10% of patients who have had a Covid infection, irrespective of whether they have been treated in hospital, may persist continually, or relapse and recur for months. Some people report a severe detrimental impact on their quality of life.

The Sheffield LCRH was developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with primary care, mental health services, patients, and researchers.

GPs and doctors referring patients to the Hub should exclude any other medical reasons for symptoms before assuming long covid and referring into the Hub. Part of this process should include Primary Care clinicians requesting appropriate tests using the ‘Post Covid ICE test bundle’.

Referrals can be made by completing the ‘Post Covid referral’ available in SystmOne or EMIS. These should be sent to Single Point of Access (SPA) via the normal referral route.

Given that symptoms after Covid infection may take several weeks to subside, we anticipate that referrals to the hub will not usually be made before 12 weeks after Covid infection. If referrals are thought to be clinically appropriate before 12 weeks, they can be made and will be reviewed by the hub team.

Documents in this section:

• Referral form

• GP Information and Pathway flowchart

The Hub aims to:

• Provide specialist support to those with ‘Long Covid’ or ‘Post Covid Syndrome’.

• Provide a holistic approach to the management of patients with Post Covid symptoms, taking into account any physical, psychological or social problems.

• Assess patients’ needs and ensure they are referred or signposted to services able to meet their needs.

• Liaise with services that may already have input into the patient’s care

The Hub may offer patients:

• Advice and guidance to continue to manage their symptoms

• A rehabilitation programme from one of our community-based teams

• A Covid Rehabilitation Specialist Therapist review

• Support for psychological well being

• A medical review with a rehabilitation specialist consultant if appropriate

• Referral into other specialist services i.e., Dietetics, SALT, IAPT, Chronic Fatigue services

• Advice regarding returning to work

• Referral to the volunteering organisations