A new service has been launched to help people in Forth Valley affected by the long-term impact of Covid-19.

The Forth Valley Long Covid Service provides a range of advice and specialist support to help people affected manage their symptoms and improve their health and wellbeing.

It offers a range of one-to-one clinics and group sessions where people can access support from a wide range of healthcare professionals including a physiotherapist, a psychologist, dieticians, speech and language therapists. They can also refer people to other specialist services, if required, for further assessment or support, depending on their individual needs.

People can be referred by their local GP, practice nurse or other healthcare professionals involved in their care and the service will continue to work closely with a local Long Covid support group to develop and improve local services.

Jennifer Ritchie, NHS Forth Valley’s Long Covid Coordinator

Jennifer Ritchie, NHS Forth Valley’s Long Covid Coordinator, said: “We have been working hard to introduce this new service which has been designed to reflect the latest clinical guidance as well as feedback from local people affected by Long Covid.

“We know that living with symptoms of Long Covid can be extremely challenging and we want to ensure that local people across Forth Valley have access to services they require to support their ongoing recovery and improve the quality of their lives.

“I would like to thank colleagues across NHS Forth Valley, our two local Health and Care Social Partnerships and members of the Falkirk Long Covid Support Group for their assistance in developing this important new service.”

Suzanne Grant, a founding member of the Falkirk Long Covid Support Group, said: “We welcome the introduction of this new local service and look forward to continuing to work with local staff to share feedback and suggestions on its ongoing rollout and development.

“I would urge anyone who is living with Long Covid to access the support available and connect with others in a similar position as this can make a real difference.”

Further information on the Forth Valley Long Covid service is available on the NHS Forth Valley website www.nhsforthvalley.com/longcovid