Emma Tucker, the Trust’s Post COVID Rehabilitation Specialist / Service Lead, will be taking part in a Westminster Health Forum policy conference titled “Priorities for Long Covid services, care and research”.

The event, which will take place online in January, will bring together experts from across the country.

Emma will present as part pf a section on improving long COVID specialist services and assessing the NHS plan, including options for increasing capacity, addressing inequalities in provision, access to services and information, and applying latest developments from research.

Emma said: “As people’s attention generally shifts away from COVID to other concerns, such as the cost of living, it’s really important to keep talking about Long Covid and what can be done to treat patients and improve their lives.

“To be given the chance to speak as part of this Westminster event was something I was really keen to take up.

“I will be talking about how our approach to helping Long Covid sufferers was developed and also some of the barriers that can prevent some people from receiving treatment.”

Long-COVID is a complicated condition that can come and go, change over time and affect both physical and mental wellbeing.

Oxford Health run a joint service with Oxford University Hospitals to provide assessment and rehabilitation strategies.

They provide an individual and holistic assessment. Following this they provide treatment and rehabilitative support to develop ways to manage the patient’s symptoms. This is through a variety of methods such as advice on breathlessness and fatigue management, understanding and providing strategies to manage psychological reactions to symptoms.