The Scottish Government's Minister for Public Health visited Crosshouse Hospital earlier this week to learn about local rehabilitation services for patients with long Covid.

Jenni Minto visited the hospital ahead of International Long Covid Awareness Day on Friday, March 15.

While most people are fully recovered four weeks after infection, some patients experience ongoing symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment and anxiety.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran has a long Covid multidisciplinary pathway, which provides a single point of access for assessment and coordinated support from services. 

Since May 2023, 192 long Covid patients have been referred in to the pathway for assessment and further treatment.

Ms Minto met with team members from the Covid Rehabilitation Service to hear more about their work and the benefits to Ayrshire patients living with long Covid.

She said: “We take long Covid very seriously and recognise the impact it can have on those most severely affected.

“Through our £10million long Covid upport Fund, we are making available £3million this financial year to support NHS boards to increase the capacity of existing services, and develop more clearly defined local pathways.

"This is in addition to what our healthcare system – supported by £19.5billion - is already delivering across our full range of NHS services.

“NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s service brings together an invaluable wealth of experience from a range of healthcare professionals and I would like to thank the team for all their hard work in supporting those living with long Covid."