Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, it became clear that Long-COVID was becoming a very real public health problem with no capacity in existing services to offer any assessment or intervention for patients with Long-COVID. Symptoms can continue beyond 12 months following the initial acute infection, and some patients are still experiencing significant, disabling symptoms more than two years post their COVID-19 onset.

Detailed data modelling estimates that there is around 13,320 (10,800 aged over 16) patients living in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) with Long-COVID which have persisted for more than 12 weeks. It was clear that significant health and socio-economic harms for the individual have been associated with Long-COVID, and a significant increase and substantial long-term burden on NHS services was anticipated and is now apparent.

BCUHB developed a Long-COVID Pathway and Multi-disciplinary Service aligned with the All-Wales Community Pathway. A working group was established, bringing together people with Lived Experience of Long-COVID and Health Professionals. This allowed insight to be gained first-hand into how Long-COVID was affecting people and to help the health board to consider what was needed to ensure that care could be developed which is as person-centred as possible. The group met regularly, and discussions took place around individual experiences of Long-COVID and how they were affected, considering physical symptoms and the psychological and social impact.

The BCUHB Long-COVID service opened to referrals in December 2021. In the first 6 months of being open, the service has received almost 1000 referrals. 80% of these were self-referrals, which has empowered patients, improved ease of access and allowed service demand to be scoped, without compromising on patient safety. It has also reduced the workload for GPs and other health care professionals.

Claire Jones

claire.jones34@wales.nhs.uk