Post-COVID Assessment and Support Service (PCASS)

Although most people will recover following a COVID infection with time, some will continue to have symptoms lasting over 12 weeks, regardless of how unwell they were or whether they were hospitalised.

There is still uncertainty about the long-term effects of COVID infection, however we do know that Long COVID appears to be a disease which affects different parts of the body - sometimes after a relatively mild illness. Long COVID can present with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which can fluctuate and change over time and can affect any system in the body. It can have a significant effect on a person’s quality of life. In order to treat you well, assessment requires clinicians from different specialities to work together.

The PCASS team consists of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, a clinical psychologist and a GP who aim to provide a holistic virtual assessment, first-line advice, education on self-management strategies, and access to appropriate resources. We are also able to complete referrals to other specialist services as required.

We promote a personalised care approach, putting patients at the centre of their care through shared decision-making at every stage of the pathway.

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals with ongoing difficulties following confirmed or probable COVID-19 infection.
• Must be medically stable with no acute symptoms
• Must be able and willing to engage in the service
• Medical screening to rule out underlying pathology has been completed – please see referral form for details
• For individuals registered to a GP surgery within Sussex

Services we link into

• SCFT Community Services
• Sussex Chronic Fatigue Service
• Health in Mind Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service
• Other acute providers and also voluntary services

How to refer

• Please refer your patient to the Post-COVID Assessment and Support Service by completing a copy of this form and emailing it to one of the addresses highlighted at the bottom of the final page of the form. If additional investigations are required, please provide the email address of patient's registered GP.

Contact mailto:sc-tr.scftpostcovidassessment@nhs.net

My Long COVID Needs assessment tool

To help you understand your current Long COVID symptoms, your needs, what to do next and what help you can get, use the My Long COVID Needs assessment tool. It’s anonymous and takes approximately five to ten minutes to complete. 

My Long COVID Needs is designed to help you when explaining your Long COVID symptoms to your GP. You might want to print out your answers after you've finished your assessment and take them with you to your GP appointment. Your GP will be able to read your results and advise you on what to do next. It could be helpful to share your results with other healthcare professionals treating you, or your employer too, so they can see what needs you have.

Mental health and wellbeing resources

• Low Mood
• What is Anxiety?
• NHS Live Well
• NHS Mental Health - Here you will find help and support for dealing with common mental health problems (including stress, anxiety, and low mood) as well as links to therapy and young people's support services.
• Time to Talk - This service provides talking therapies across West Sussex for a wide range of general and diagnosed mental health concerns.
• Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service - This service provides talking therapies across Brighton and Hove for a wide range of general and diagnosed mental health concerns.
• Health in Mind - This service provides talking therapies across East Sussex for a wide range of general and diagnosed mental health concerns.
• Mind - Mind is a charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
• Sussex Mental Healthline - 0300 5000 101 - The Sussex Mental Healthline is a helpline run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Callers dialling 111 for the Sussex Mental Healthline need to ask to be put through to the Sussex Mental Healthline. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• PHE - Active at Home booklet - This booklet will be helpful to you if you need support, and can help you manage some of your concerns at home.
• Useful tips for standing and balance - Many people recovering from COVID-19 will be experiencing residual problems with weakness, mobility and balance. Some of these symptoms may also be experienced by people who have been indirectly affected by COVID-19 due to enforced isolation or inability to access non-essential healthcare support and rehabilitation services.
• CSP Get Up and Go leaflet - See information immediately above.
• Guidance on returning to sport after injury or illness - This section provides information to help with managing day-to-day activities, instilling routines and focusing on a balance of occupation.
• Guidance for dressing aids - If you, or someone you care for, are experiencing difficulties when getting dressed, you might feel that you need something to help you.
• Managing breathlessness
• Memory and cognitive difficulties
• Guidance for memory difficulties
• Top tips for communication
• Top tips for eating and drinking - This document and the one immediately below provide top tips for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and mouth care.
• Top tips for good mouth care
• Top tips for eating well
• Nutrition checklist
• Top tips for sleep
• RCOT - How to conserve your energy
• RCOT - Recovering at home, how to manage post-viral fatigue
• RCOT - Treated in hospital, how to manage post-viral fatigue  

Team

Emma Gentle, Team Lead

Ana Rodriguez,  Team Lead

Anjum Yazdani, Clinical Psychologist

Chania Carr, Occupational Therapist

Rachel Morgan, Occupational Therapist

Valerie Perkins, Nurse

Donna Layzell, Nurse

Denise Hall, Physiotherapist

Claire Jeffreys, Physiotherapist

Angela Murphy, Physiotherapist

Lisa Pilling, Physiotherapist

Ciaran Hydes – Medical Adviser

Rebecca Cooper, Therapy Assistant

Luke Doble, Therapy Assistant