Question reference: S5W-35846
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 9 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when long-COVID clinics and treatment services will be delivered.
Answer
We know from people living with Long COVID that the path to recovery can be unpredictable, with symptoms affecting different people in different ways that can have an impact on how they want to live their lives.
There are already a range of NHS services in place that are able to support people suffering with Long COVID.
This includes GPs and the wider Primary Care team as a key first point of contact, and community based rehabilitation services to support people’s recovery through a wide range of interventions from occupational therapy, physiotherapy to speech and language therapy.
A smaller proportion of people with severe effects may need more specialist investigation and advice that is being provided in acute hospital settings.
The Scottish Government has partnered with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland investing over £460,000 to develop its Long COVID Support Service. This has enabled Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s Nurses and Community Support Teams to provide information and advice to people living with Long COVID, thereby helping with their recovery.
As we understand more about Long COVID, we will continue to develop and enhancing services to provide the multidisciplinary and person-centred support that people require.