Long COVID Service

Mersey Care has been appointed lead provider for Cheshire and Merseyside Tier 3 Long COVID Assessment and Treatment Service. From 1 December 2021, referrals, which can only be accepted from GPs, will be made into the Mersey Care service rather than into Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT).

Who can be referred?

The service is suitable for patients who were treated for COVID-19 either in hospital or in the community and have signs and symptoms that developed during or after an infection that have continued for more than 12 weeks after initial infection (or as early as four weeks in patients with a high symptom burden or significant, unmet rehabilitation needs, and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis). Timing is based on individual need and is at the discretion of the assessing clinician.

If predominantly organ specific problems have been identified, patients should be referred via existing routes to local specialists, rather than the Long COVID service. If patients have an underlying long-term respiratory condition and are experiencing an increase in breathlessness, once treatment has been optimised, they can be referred to the Long COVID Service for further support and referral to appropriate services.

How to refer

Referral instructions have been distributed to all GP practices in Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton.   

Assessment model

All relevant national and local evidence continues to be used to meet the needs of adults (18 years and over) with long COVID-19 symptoms. Multidisciplinary teams process the referrals, carry out in-depth, holistic assessments with patients and provide onward referral for treatment depending on the results. All referrals must have had relevant tests and information captured to assist assessment hubs with next steps. All results except CXR should be available prior to referral into the service.

Where is the service provided?

During the first phase of implementation clinical hubs are being provided in various sites in Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens and Sefton as follows:

Tiers 1, 2 and 4

Other tiers continue as follows:

• Tier 1 self-management support (with information and available tools)
• Tier 2 primary care assessment with pre-referral diagnostics undertaken
• Tier 4 services continue to be provided by LUHFT.

Further information

If you’d like further information about the Long COVID Service, including presentation of the new model, please contact operational manager: Pat.McGuinness@merseycare.nhs.uk or visit our website for more information www.merseycare.nhs.uk