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#longcovid

Posted By hope1966

"#longcovid"

About: Community Services / Perth and Kinross Long COVID service Physiotherapy Services / Respiratory Outpatients Physiotherapy

(as the patient),

I caught Covid in January 2020.   

I was diagnosed with Long Covid in February 2020 and referred to the NHS Tayside Cares Team.     

Throughout this time I was unsupported in my recovery due to the nature and lack of research about the effects of long covid. I did see my GP regularly for sick lines and did many diagnostic tests and recommended waiting on the Cares Team.       

I had to leave work in January 2021, when my employer was unwilling to amend my working hours or duties to accommodate my symptom management.       

I was fortunate to have 3 video consultations with SALT which I found very helpful. I did most of the research myself in an attempt to self manage my health and the effect this has had on myself and family.       

After approximately 2 years on the waiting list I am currently having video consultations with Gail a specialist Physiotherapist who worked for the Cares Team in the past.   

I believe that she is the only person who is supporting people in NHS Tayside region with long covid diagnosis. I have had 3 consultations and she has made such a positive difference to my life. She has so much knowledge and understanding of the numerous effects of long covid on the body and targets me individually with person centred tips and advice. 

I feel very lucky to have this input, but I feel I have lost two years bumbling about on my own, possibly causing more harm due to my understanding of long covid.     

I feel that Gail's advice has be valuable in my recovery and mental well being.   I feel hope for the future.

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Responses

Response from Gail Patel, Team lead physiotherapist, Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service, NHS Tayside 12 months ago
We have made a change
Gail Patel
Team lead physiotherapist, Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service,
NHS Tayside

I'm responsible for providing initial assessment for individuals accessing the Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service. This may include interventions or onward referral to other Allied Health Professionals or third sector organisations to support people to manage their symptoms and recovery.

Submitted on 18/04/2023 at 17:23
Published on Care Opinion on 19/04/2023 at 08:28

picture of Gail Patel

Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to give us such helpful feedback.

I'm sorry to hear that you had to wait so long to access support with your long COVID symptoms and understand how distressing this has been for yourself, and many others who have also had to wait to access specialist care.

Since you were initially referred, the referral pathway has moved from a Tayside-wide service to one where services are embedded within existing community services within your own health and social care partnership. This change should allow people to access the services they need in a more timely manner.

I'm delighted to have had the privilege of being part of your recovery journey and that the intervention has had a positive impact for you moving forward, in spite of your lengthy wait to access care. As we continue to learn about long COVID, I feel passionate about sharing this learning to improve awareness so that more people like yourself can be supported at an earlier stage in their journey to ensure the best outcome possible. And so that those living with long COVID can be supported to manage symptoms as well as possible.. Delivering person-centred care is so important to me as a healthcare professional so I'm also pleased to hear that you feel your support has been tailored to you as an individual.

Once again, thank you for choosing to use your limited energy reserves to share your experience, and help us to continue our learning. I sincerely wish you all the best for your continued recovery journey.

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