Your local NHS wants to hear from people suffering from Long Covid to help improve the support and care on offer.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with hospitals, GPs and other professionals providing support and care to people with Long Covid to further develop services.
As an integral part of this process, the CCG would like to hear the views of people experiencing the long-term health effects of a Covid-19 infection.
Dr Neil Banik is the GP leading the development of NHS services to support people with Long Covid in Kent and Medway.
Dr Banik said: “To make sure services meet the needs of patients we want to hear from people who are suffering from Long Covid.
"If you have experienced long-term symptoms like cough, fevers, muscle aches, and excessive tiredness, or other symptoms you attribute to Covid-19, we would really value your input.
“This is particularly important as this is a new condition and we need to focus on what matters to patients and their families and carers so the service meets their needs. We would also value the views of families and carers as we know the impact Long Covid has on them too.”
To capture feedback, the CCG has launched a survey and will be holding virtual patient experience workshops on either in the evening of Thursday 8 April 2021 or the morning of Wednesday 28 April 2021.
Ana Paula Nacif, an independent voice for patients in the Canterbury area, is still suffering symptoms long after testing positive for Covid.
She said: “My recovery from Covid has been difficult and three months later I still have horrible headaches and some days I feel exhausted.
"I know I am not alone and the local NHS acknowledges it can do more to support those with Long Covid. I have already completed the survey and will be signing up for the events.
"I think it’s really important that the health and care provided to help recovery from Covid is informed by patient experience, so please join me.”
If people feel they have had Covid-19 and it took longer than expected to recover, the NHS would like to hear from them. Even if they have now completely recovered, sharing their views and experiences will help others.
To take part, people don’t have to have been to hospital or even had a positive diagnosis of Covid-19. Families and carers are also being asked to give their views on what support would help them.
Find out more about how you can give your views.
The NHS has set up the yourcovidrecovery website to provide information to patients to help them recover from Covid. If anyone is worried about continuing symptoms they should not hesitate to contact their GP or the team who looked after them while in hospital. You can also get support and advice for Long Covid in Kent and Medway.