AQW 25792/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 15/11/2021
Answered On Date: 27/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether the dedicated assessment and treatment service for patients with long COVID will include provision for supported self-management, including referral to a social prescriber or a health and wellbeing coach.

Answer:

The service specification for Post-COVID services has been designed in line with NICE guideline NG188 on managing the long term effects of COVID-19, which covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Whilst services are designed to be delivered in secondary care, there is a key role for primary care both in referral to the service, and long-term support for patients with Post-COVID syndrome. A GP can also refer patients to other clinical specialities, social care support services or the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector through existing processes, if appropriate.

Provision of self-management resources is a key element of the services being established across Trusts to support patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms.

In addition, my Department has provided funding to NI Chest, Heart and Stroke to enhance their existing services, enabling them to accept additional referrals for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome and to facilitate as many people as possible getting the help and support they need.

My Department will continue to review services on an ongoing basis to ensure the best possible help and advice is available to those suffering from post COVID-19 symptoms.