Stockport Long COVID Assessment Service (LCAS)
If you present to your GP with symptoms that could be long COVID your GP will aim to make a diagnosis by ruling out other causes of your symptoms. This may include having blood tests, X—rays or other investigations.
It's important to exclude other conditions, as they may need medical interventions not available at the Long COVID Assessment Service (LCAS). Once a diagnosis is made you can be referred to the LCAS.
LCAS is based at Romiley Health Centre, where the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meet on Wednesdays. Once your referral to LCAS has been processed you'll be offered an initial telephone assessment.
Your telephone assessment will take around 30 minutes. You'll be asked standard questions and given time to discuss your symptoms. You may be offered some advice or sign-posting. Depending on your symptoms and concerns you'll be offered a face-to-face appointment, or alternative if preferred, with the most appropriate specialist clinician.
Your clinic, consultation and therapy
If you continue to experience a variety of symptoms following an episode of COVID or viral illness, you will first have a full assessment with a health professional in the LCAS multidisciplinary team.
If therapy is identified as a suitable management option for you, LCAS offer rehabilitation and symptom management interventions. They work collaboratively with the ME/CFS team and Pennine Care Psychological Service.
Depending on your needs, therapy options could include:
- physiotherapy
- group exercise
- occupational therapy
- working with a dietitian
- psychological wellbeing
Once your therapy is complete you will be discharged, and may be referred or signposted to other services to assist with your recovery.
This could include referral to Life Leisure, to support you through an appropriate exercise programme, or Talking Therapies to assist with ongoing psychological wellbeing.
LCAS also recommend various apps that can support you with self-management, while recognising that this approach is not for everyone.
They also offer alternative methods of rehabilitation. For example, the virtual singing programme provided by English National Opera (ENO), which has been very beneficial for some individuals struggling with breathlessness.