The Wesley Hospital will be expanding Queensland’s first Long COVID Clinic to the general public to meet the increased need for these specialised healthcare services.

The multi-disciplinary clinic has been operational since July but was only open to patients who were treated for COVID-19 at The Wesley Hospital.

Due to the increased demand for Long COVID health care services the clinic has expanded and will be opening up to referrals from the community from January 2023.

Outpatient Rehabilitation Lead Matthew Green said the Long COVID Clinic aims to address the multifactorial effects the illness can have on a person’s long-term health.

“Our patients have access to a cohesive clinical team of physicians and allied health specialists who are able to tailor treatment and therapy plans to meet individual needs and goals,” Mr Green said.

“We work with our patients to improve their exercise tolerance, return to daily activities, cognitive dysfunction, speech or swallowing difficulties, nutritional support and advice provide mental health support plus address any other health issues a patient may be facing.”

General Manager of The Wesley Hospital Sean Hubbard said The Wesley’s mission is to respond to needs within the community.

“We are proud to be expanding the Long COVID Clinic into the community for patients experiencing symptoms which impact their day-to-day function,” Mr Hubbard said.

“It is estimated that 5 per cent of people who have had COVID-19 will develop long COVID, as Queensland has recently passed 1.7 million infections and continues to rise we believe the clinic will be an asset to the state.”

For more information

A GP referral is required to access the Long COVID Clinic, referral forms can be found on our website, once the referral is received clinicians will be contacting patients to book them in for appointments. There is no need to call to book in. The clinic will begin taking new patients from January 2023.