Long COVID Clinic

Long COVID is defined by the World Health Organisation as an illness that occurs in people who have had COVID-19 and extends beyond three months of confirmed infection.

There is no test for Long COVID. Diagnosing it means doctors have to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Many people have ongoing symptoms for a few weeks after having COVID-19, such as cough or fatigue. It is estimated only 5 per cent of people will develop Long COVID.

Long COVID symptoms include:

• fatigue
• shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• memory, concentration or sleep problems
• a persistent cough
• chest pain
• difficulty speaking
• muscle aches
• loss of smell or taste
• depression or anxiety
• fever.

Long COVID symptoms can be mild or severe, and people may experience one or more symptoms.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between long COVID and similar conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, heart or neurological problems. It is important that you speak with your doctor if you experience symptoms you are concerned about.

The clinic aims to provide multidisciplinary care to address the multifactorial effects of COVID-19 on a patient’s long-term health. It is being run by our experienced Outpatient Rehabilitation team, with patients supported by a multidisciplinary team, including:

• Rehabilitation Physicians
• Occupational therapists
• Exercise physiologists
• Speech pathologists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Dietitians

Our clinicians will work with you to understand your illness and tailor treatment and therapy plans to meet individual needs and goals.

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.

While Long COVID is a new and unexpected by-product of COVID-19 our clinicians are using best practice evidence-based techniques to treat patients with upper respiratory issues. Our clinicians are highly trained medical specialists working with the most up to date information to help you.

Results from the clinic are varied, this depends on the severity of your illness, your personal level of fitness and mobility plus any other illnesses or health conditions you may have. You can talk more with your clinician about goal setting and results at your appointments.

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.

Patients will be triaged by our clinicians who will assess each person individually and customise a care plan to meet their personal needs.

The clinic will begin taking new patients from January 2023.

We understand there is a large demand for these services in the community so we do anticipate a wait list. We appreciate your patience as we work through our lists to get everyone seen.

Over 18 only.

For patients with Private Health Insurance you should receive a rebate from the clinic based on your level of coverage.

Before starting in the clinic, you will be triaged, where your clinician will be able to inform you of costs associated and you can discuss what options will work best for you.

There may be options to have a Medicare rebate for some patients, this will need to be done through your GP.

The clinic is now accepting referrals.

All referrals to the Wesley Long COVID clinic must include patient contact details, a health summary and medication list. The following pathology is required to be included in the referral:

• FBE
• ELFT
• Coagulation profile
• CK
• Troponin
• CRP
• ESR
• Iron study
• Vitamin B12 & folate
• Vitamin D Levels
• TFT

^ For patients with respiratory symptoms, they should have CXR and spirometry.
^ For patients with cardiac symptoms, they should have CXR and ECG.

A patient will require a GP referral to be assessed for program suitability. Please use the linked referral form and email to Wesley-dayrehab@uchealth.com.au