To ask the Minister of Health to outline his proposals to develop Long Covid clinics in Northern Ireland, similar to the 40 clinics beginning to operate in the rest of the UK.

I have approved proposals for the assessment and treatment of people who continue to experience long-term health effects as a result of COVID-19 infection.

The proposals build on the NICE guidance on managing the long-term effects of COVID-19, as well as experience from across the UK, to provide a service that meets the needs of people in Northern Ireland.

The service offering encompasses 5 separate strands:

Post COVID-19 Syndrome patients referred by primary or secondary care to a one-stop-shop MDT assessment service;

Bespoke pulmonary rehabilitation / dysfunctional breathing service for patients with significant respiratory symptoms post COVID-19;

Additional support for Patients discharged from critical care (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19);

Strengthening psychology support to all Trusts; and,

Signposting and access to self-management resources.

These 5 strands represent a comprehensive service for patients experiencing long term effects of COVID-19, offering a mix of dedicated services for the assessment and treatment of post-Covid19 syndrome over the short and medium term, whilst strengthening core services for psychology and post-critical care recovery which will help to stabilise those services in the long term.

It is anticipated that the services will be established by end of October 2021. In the meantime patients displaying long COVID symptoms will continue to be treated via existing services in both primary and secondary care.