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  • Post-COVID Syndrome (Long Covid)

Post-COVID Syndrome (Long Covid)

A range of resources for occupational therapy practitioners supporting people to manage Post-COVID syndrome, and those who are experiencing Long Covid themselves.
Guidance and evidence regarding the most effective ways to manage Long Covid are continuing to emerge. Always refer to government and national health guidance for up to date information.

RCOT resources

Recovering from COVID-19: Post viral-fatigue and conserving energy

 
Working together to combat Long COVID: CSP and RCOT joint event with Leeds Long COVID service – webinar recording 22/07/21

Download the webinar slides

 

Quick guides for occupational therapists: Occupational therapy and Long Covid (Post COVID-19 Syndrome/Condition)

These quick guides outline the unique role of occupational therapists in supporting adults, children and young people to manage and recover from Long Covid. They have been written for occupational therapists working in specialist Long Covid services and in other acute, primary, secondary and community settings.

The guides will also be useful for service managers and commissioners responsible for planning and delivering specialist Long Covid services, and for parents, carers and families of people affected by Long Covid.

  • Long Covid guide - adults (PDF, 778.08KB)
  • Long Covid guide - children and young people (PDF, 653.94KB)
  • Occupational therapists in occupational health job description (RCOT Specialist Section for Work) (DOCX, 84.82KB)
  • Occupational therapists in occupational health scope of practice (RCOT Specialist Section for Work) (DOCX, 311.49KB)

Support for RCOT members

The Professional Practice Enquiries Service is available to support all RCOT members, including those experiencing difficulties arising from COVID-19. A range of assistance is also available from UNISON, including financial and welfare support, as well as support to manage your return to work following COVID-19.

The COVID-19 support fund is available to members who require further support following an application to UNISON’s ‘There for You’ funding, and for self-employed members ineligible for UNISON funding.

  • RCOT Professional Practice Enquiries Service
  • Unison There for You
  • COVID 19 Support fund

RCOT and CSP Long Covid network

RCOT has a Long Covid email network for occupational therapists who would like to receive updates about Long Covid from RCOT and relevant sources. As part of this network you will receive email updates and invites to virtual drop-in sessions.  You will also be invited to join a shared Slack workspace, managed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, to collaborate and share resources with other occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Please read the Terms of Reference below for more information and complete this form to register.  You’ll need your RCOT membership number and agree to the terms to join

  • Long Covid network terms of reference.pdf (PDF, 57.26KB)

Evidence

  •  RCOT information skills resources
  • National Institute for Health Research – Researching Long Covid
  • Cochrane Rehabilitation – REH-COVER
  • British Medical Journal – COVID-19 Hub
  • Office for National Statistics – COVID-19 datasets
  • Public Health England – COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes

National guidance

  • NICE, SIGN and RCGP: COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
  • NHS England and Improvement: Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID)
  • Northern Ireland Department of Health
  • NHS Inform: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Longer-term effects (long COVID)
  • Welsh Government: Health and social care professionals - coronavirus

External networking sites

  • FutureNHS Collaboration platform – Long COVID Network. Email england.clinicalpolicy@nhs.net to request access.
  • NHS London AHP Long Covid Network: Email england.londonahpcovid@nhs.net to request access (open to AHPs UK-wide)

Rehabilitation resources

  • Asthma and Lung UK: Long COVID health advice
  • Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: COVID-19 Rehabilitation Standards
  • Health and Social Care Northern Ireland: Digital Supports for Long Covid
  • Social Care Institute for Excellence: COVID-19 guide for social workers and occupational therapists supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults
  • University of Plymouth: Nutrition and COVID-19 recovery knowledge hub
  • World Health Organization: Rehabilitation and COVID-19

OTNews articles

  • ‘Developing our role’ (April 2022, p.24-27)
  • ‘Occupational therapists with Long Covid launch support group’ (April 2022 p.54)
  • 'Sowing the seeds of recovery' (November 2021, p.36-38)
  • ‘Derby team create videos to support return to work after COVID-19’ (April 2021 p.10)
  • ‘The green shoots of recovery’ (April 2021 p.28)
  • ‘Members help colleagues manage Long COVID and return to work’ (March 2021 p.6-7)
  • ‘The challenge of fatigue’ (March 2021, p.38-39)
  • One of the first teams offering post-COVID support hailed a success’ (January 2021, p.7)
  • ‘Occupational therapist joins research team looking at post-COVID clinics’ (January 2021, p.8)
  • ‘COVID-19: providing valuable continuity of care into the community’ (January 2021, p.24-26)
  • ‘COVID-19: not always a brief or mild disease’ (November 2020, p.16-19)

Long Covid and employment resources

  • Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust: Return to work videos
  • Faculty of Occupational Medicine: Guidance on return to work for people with Long Covid
  • NHS Employers: Supporting recovery after Long Covid
  • Occupational Therapy for Long Covid: Long Covid and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Queen Margaret University: Support after COVID-19 podcast series
  • Society of Occupational Medicine: COVID-19 return to work guide: for managers
  • Society of Occupational Medicine: COVID-19 return to work guide: for recovering workers
  • Society of Occupational Medicine: Long Covid and return to work – what works? (PDF)

Learning resources

  • Health Education England: Long Covid e-learning programme
  • World Health Organization: Rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19

Peer-support networks

There are several peer-support and advocacy networks run by and for people living with Long Covid. Some that have been developed with input from occupational therapists and other allied health professionals include:

  • Long Covid Kids
  • Long Covid OT
  • Long Covid Physio
  • Long Covid Support

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