Qld long COVID clinic expands to general public

To meet the increasing demand for long COVID care, The Wesley Hospital Queensland is expanding its long COVID clinic to the general public.

The multidisciplinary clinic has been operational since July but was only open to patients who were treated for COVID-19 at The Wesley Hospital. Outpatient Rehabilitation Lead Matthew Green said the long COVID clinic aims to address the multifactorial effects the illness can have on a person’s long-term health.

Long COVID is said to impact 5% of those infected with COVID-19, with close to 90,000 Queenslanders currently living with the condition. “Our patients have access to a cohesive clinical team of physicians and allied health specialists who are able to tailor treatment and therapy plans to meet individual needs and goals,” Green said.

“We work with our patients to improve their exercise tolerance, return to daily activities, cognitive dysfunction, speech or swallowing difficulties, nutritional support and advice, provide mental health support plus address any other health issues a patient may be facing.”

Patient Helen McLennan, a triathlete, who contracted COVID-19 in February 2022, presented to hospital five weeks after her confirmed diagnosis with breathing difficulty.

“I was a very fit, active and healthy person; I never thought COVID-19 could impact me the way it did but I am still struggling with my health nearly a year on,” Helen said.

“The clinic has been fantastic. I felt not being able to exercise and compete took part of my identity away; the simple act of walking back into a gym was a huge boost for me. This has improved not only my physical health but my mental health as well.

“I feel there is stigma around long COVID as people don’t quite understand, I may look well but spending a short amount of time out and about means I am exhausted for the next two days.”

General Manager of The Wesley Hospital Sean Hubbard said The Wesley’s mission is to respond to needs within the community. “We are proud to be expanding the long COVID Clinic into the community for patients experiencing symptoms which impact their day-to-day function,” Hubbard said.

Image caption: Patient Helen McLennan with Physiotherapist Claire Gahagan. Image: Supplied.