Long COVID service

There are many helpful resources available:

• Your COVID Recovery | Supporting your recovery after COVID-19
• Information for the public | COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 | Guidance | NICE
• Long COVID rehabilitiation booklet
• Managing fatigue: The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has put together some useful pacing advice to help you slowly build up your activity level

• Managing breathlessness: The British Lung Foundation has created useful resources to explain breathlessness and suggest ways to manage it

• A breathing guide to help you recover from COVID-19: Physiotherapy for Breathing Pattern Disorders

Having Long COVID is very distressing and can often impact your mood, making you feel sad or low or more anxious than usual. There is support available, you can find the support local to you by following the links:

• A talking therapies or online mood management course offered as one to one or group depending on your needs.

• Self-help booklets for common issues such as stress, sleep, depression, anxiety. There is also a Sleep Management guide by the ME Association.

• Psychology Tool has produced a couple of free booklets on Post traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety linked to COVID: Critical Illness Intensive Care And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Psychology Tools

• Many people talk to us about the worry of getting COVID again. This booklet tackles this issue: Living With Worry And Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty – Psychology Tools

• This booklet helps you to work through how to do what matters in times of stress: Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (who.int)

• A short video on managing anxiety linked to COVID: FACE COVID – How To Respond Effectively To The Corona Crisis – YouTube

• Managing vertigo: A link to a booklet you can download with information about vertigo and how to manage it

• Managing tinnitus (ringing in your ears): The British Tinnitus Association explains what tinnitus is and some ways to manage it - COVID-19 guidance for people with tinnitus

• Managing loss of taste or smell: The NHS has provided some information and ideas for how to help your recovery aimed at people who have lost or have a changed sense of taste or smell

• Building up exercise: The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has put together some advice on building up strength, managing breathlessness and pacing up activity

• Dizziness after a COVID infection

If you need information on sick leave please visit the following websites:

• Taking Sick Leave (GOV UK)

• Sickness and absence because of long COVID: Long COVID – advice for employers and employees – Acas

More information when planning return to work:

• Returning To Work | Your COVID Recovery
• Returning to work after absence: Absence from work – Acas

Other charities or services that you may find helpful offering emotional support and information to those experiencing mental health difficulties, their families and carers:

• Samaritans call free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
• SANE Mental Health helpline: 0845 767 8000

Call NHS 111 (free from a landline or mobile) when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. Available 24 hours per day.

Mersey Care also provides phone support for people experiencing a mental health crisis via the freephone numbers below:

• If you live in Liverpool and Sefton and are aged 16 and over, call our 24/7 freephone helpline: 0800 145 6570
• If you live in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington and are any age, call our 24/7 freephone crisis line on: 0800 051 1508
• If you live outside of the above areas find your local mental health crisis line on the NHS website.