A long Covid path is being developed for patients in Cheshire and Merseyside, including an assessment center in Liverpool.
The development was announced on Thursday (April 15th) in the governing body of the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
“This pathway is designed to support patients with symptoms of Covid-19 that last longer than 12 weeks and is based on guidelines from the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Care,” read a report prior to the meeting.
It added that “one percent of patients with Covid-19 are estimated to have symptoms after 12 weeks of developing the disease”.
However, CCG board member and GP Lesley Appleton criticized the location of the center, claiming it was too far for residents of eastern Cheshire to travel.
She also said she believed the “one percent” figure on the report should be closer to “one in ten”.
In response, Tracey Cole, CCG’s Executive Director of Strategy and Partnership, said, “Our patients have the option to have virtual access to clinics. We set up this commission.
“I think it’s early days to evaluate this, but the principles are key to making sure we know it will be successful.”
A more detailed report will be presented to the CCG governing body at the next meeting in May 2021.