Long-Covid service offered by private GPs
Private GPs are operating a new post-Covid service to assess and diagnose patients suffering long-term effects from coronavirus infection. The service has been launched by Parkside Private Hospital in Wimbledon.
Patients who have been suffering Covid symptoms for longer than four weeks will receive an extended appointment with a specialist private GP, undergo various scans and be referred for onward investigation if necessary.
The post-covid service, costing £650, is tailored to each patient’s specific symptoms, with appointments at the hospital.
Assessments include a comprehensive clinical history and examination that involves assessing physical, cognitive, psychological and psychiatric symptoms, as well as functional abilities.
The service is designed to provide a holistic assessment to rule out acute or life-threatening complications, help patients return to full health and better understand the long-term impact of Covid-19.
Hospital director Phil Bates said: ‘With Parkside also home to more than 300 consultants across a range of medical specialties, our hospital is fully equipped to assess, diagnose and then refer patients to high-quality services all under one roof.’
What happens at the post-Covid service?
The post-Covid service includes a range of tests to help patients get back to full health, including:
- A comprehensive pre-consultation review;
- Extended GP appointment with one a specialist private GP;
- Medical history review;
- Lifestyle and mental health review;
- Physical examination;
- Blood pressure and oxygen saturation check;
- ECG;
- A comprehensive panel of blood tests;
- Scans including chest X-ray, as necessary;
- Follow-up GP appointment (virtual).
Following the consultation, GPs provide a detailed report outlining the results from tests and their recommendations.
If further investigation or specialist care is needed, they will refer to the hospital’s physiotherapy team or consultants in specialties including respiratory medicine, psychiatry, and rheumatology.