Service information
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 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 an occupational therapy assistant.
We have close links with GPs, Community Respiratory Care, Richmond Wellbeing Services, Kingston Post Covid Assessment Service, and West Middlesex University Hospital.
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 self-management 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.
Useful information
Breathlessness
Has great leaflets and videos on how to re-train your breathing pattern which is sometimes altered post Covid. This has been very useful for many patients.
ENO Breathe | English National Opera
Richmond Long Covid Service is affiliated with ENO Breath programme (referral criteria apply, please discuss with your clinician)
6-week course of singing based exercises held virtually and can help with ongoing breathlessness and altered breathing pattern that lasts more than 12 weeks after Covid-19, as well as some low-level anxiety.
Fatigue
How to conserve your energy - RCOT
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.
Mood
Psychological therapies including a specific Long Covid Group. Self-refer by phone/ website.
Peer Support
COVID-19 Survivors Group UK - Self Help UK
Self Help UK is a chance to talk to others who have survived COVID-19 and had similar experiences
Smell/ Taste retraining
Smell training techniques to do at home
General information about Long Covid
You may find some of these resources helpful in better understanding Long Covid and finding strategies to manage your symptoms. We will be adding more resources as they become available.
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Autonomic nervous system and rest | 1,119.93 KB |
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Fatigue management | 2,319.77 KB |
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Long Covid principles of recovery | 1,225.67 KB |
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Optimising Sleep | 1,542.05 KB |
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Self care and mental health.pdf | 4,630.72 KB |
Virtual support sessions
We have created a series of Long Covid virtual support sessions with information and tips for recovery and staying well. You can watch the sessions below or download the presentation slides.
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01 Introduction to Long Covid | 3,922.13 KB |
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02 Long Covid self management and recovery | 2,198.84 KB |
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03 Fatigue and Long Covid | 1,730.67 KB |
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04 Breathing pain and exercises in Long Covid | 6,256.04 KB |
Introduction to Long Covid
Approaches to self-management and recovery
Fatigue management
Wellbeing and optimising rest
Breathlessness, pain management and exercise precautions
Referrals
People with a Richmond GP 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.
Referrals should be sent to hounslowandrichmond.spa@nhs.net
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 houndslowandrichmondspa@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
Email hrch.richmondlongcovidservice@nhs.net
Website:
www.hrch.nhs.uk/services/search-services/richmond-long-covid-service
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.