Somerset Post COVID Assessment Service

Your referral

If your doctor/clinician thinks you may have post-COVID-19 syndrome, they will suggest a referral to the Somerset Post COVID Assessment Service.

What tests do I need?

The Somerset Post COVID Assessment Service relies on the doctor completing a number of tests. This is because post-COVID-19 syndrome can only be confirmed when no other illness is found to be the cause of ongoing symptoms. The tests include standard blood tests of:

  • full blood count – amongst other things this checks infection cells and anaemia
  • ferritin – a specific test for iron stores
  • liver tests
  • kidney tests
  • HBA1c – this is a test which can check your blood sugar control for the last three months; it’s particularly to check for diabetes
  • thyroid levels – this can affect weight and energy levels
  • coeliac blood tests – coeliac disease affects the bowels
  • calcium
  • C-reactive protein – this checks for body inflammation
  • a heart trace (ECG)

If you have shortness of breath we also need:

  • A chest x-ray result

If the correct tests aren’t done when you get referred we have to send the referral back to the doctor. This can sometimes slow down referrals but we don’t you want you to end up in the wrong clinic.

What happens next?

The diagram above looks a little complicated. Once you’re referred in, our specialist doctors check that your referral has everything we need. If your referral has everything in it you are then offered a video group clinic or a 1 to 1 assessment.

  • video group clinic (VGC) – We recognise the importance of shared, lived experience with post-COVID-19 syndrome. We find that bringing people together with similar symptoms, sharing experiences is a real help to everyone. Often the group come up with very practical solutions together. Each group has up to an hour with one of our specialist doctors, to ask questions which matter to them. VGCs are facilitated by one of our care co-ordinators. Occasionally, we also offer a one to one with a doctor if some symptoms discussed in the VGC need more time to discuss than a VGC may allow.
  • one to one assessment – If you did not have a positive COVID test originally or there are complicating medical conditions we may offer you a one to one assessment with one of our doctors. The waiting time to speak with one of our doctors one to one is longer than waiting for a VGC.

What is a Health Navigator?

Our Health Navigators (previously called care co-ordinators) become your guide and point of contact for the Somerset Post COVID Assessment Service.

The Health Navigator will be allocated soon after your referral has been accepted.

Your Health Navigator will make contact with you, and become your point of contact through your journey with our service. Once our doctors have completed their assessment you may be referred onto a specialist therapist team. Our  Health Navigators will aim to contact you while you are waiting for specialist therapy to ensure that you have been signposted to all of the necessary support.

You may also be invited to attend one of our peer support groups https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/somersetlongcovid/somerset-post-covid-assessment-service/group-support/ . The groups are facilitated by members of our team and exist to allow you to:

  • meet others who have similar symptoms/experience of post-COVID-19 syndrome
  • gain support from others with that shared, lived experience
  • share knowledge and information that helped you to manage your condition