Long Covid clinics 'not envisaged' in Scotland as guidelines published on condition

Long Covid clinics, which have been set up in almost 70 locations in England, are “not envisaged” for Scotland, National Clinical Director Jason Leitch has said.
Jason Leitch said he "does not envisage" long Covid clinics in Scotland.Jason Leitch said he "does not envisage" long Covid clinics in Scotland.
Jason Leitch said he "does not envisage" long Covid clinics in Scotland.

Speaking at the Coronavirus daily briefing on Friday, Professor Leitch said the response will be “much more holistic” in Scotland.

It comes after a report from Sign, Nice and the Royal College of General Practitioners which offered recommendations on the treatment of long Covid, including a joined-up approach across services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Up to 5,400 Scots are thought to be suffering from long Covid, which affects those whose symptoms have not cleared up after 12 weeks.

"I think we should think of it as long Covid services rather than specific wards with “long Covid” on the door,” said Professor Leitch, comparing treatment to that of conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes or asthma, in some cases delivered by GPs, community nurses and pharmacies.

“Many people will have longer symptomatic spells, and then it will go away again – that will be managed in primary care,” he said.

Read More
Over 5,000 Scots could be suffering from 'long Covid', as guidelines published o...

"And some will have long, stubborn, debilitating disease, which is what we're seeing in a very small number of people, and they will perhaps need a more specialist centre and that will be rehabilitation, it may be respiratory, it may be cardiac. It will depend on their particular symptoms.

"I don't envisage a new sign in the hospitals saying “long Covid clinics this way”.

"I think it will be much more holistic than that.”

Longer-term symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, and problems involving the heart, lungs, kidneys, nervous system and muscles and joints.

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.