People asked for views on long COVID services

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is asking for people’s views as part of a review of long COVID support.

Hub-based services for those experiencing longer-lasting effects from COVID-19 were put in place during 2020, with access via GPs, but the number of people using them has fallen significantly over the last 12 months. Hub arrangements will now end, as the NHS looks at the best way to provide this care in the future. 

Dr Fiona Lemmens, a local GP and Deputy Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: 

“For most people, COVID-19 symptoms will last a few days or weeks, but we know that some will experience them for longer than this, and might need additional support. 

“Long COVID hubs were set up early on in the pandemic, and it’s right that we review this care, to make sure that we’re supporting people in the most appropriate way, and using NHS resources as effectively as possible. Long COVID covers a range of different symptoms, and one of the things we need to explore is whether there are opportunities to integrate this care with existing services for people with similar conditions. 

“To help us do this review, we’re engaging with patients and the public to understand more about people’s experiences, and the support they require. We’ll use this feedback to help develop plans for how we might arrange services in the future. It’s important to stress that anyone who needs help with their long COVID symptoms – whether on an ongoing basis or as a new patient – will continue to be able to access care.”  

People can find out more, and fill out a questionnaire, here: 

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website.

The questionnaire will be open until Sunday 16 March 2025. Anyone who would like help completing it, those who would prefer a paper copy, or those who require information in an alternative language or format, can get in touch by calling:

0151 295 3052

...or emailing: 

engagement@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk.

Local community groups supporting people with long COVID are also encouraged to get in touch, for further details of how to take part in the engagement. 

Everyone currently receiving care from a long COVID hub will receive information direct, letting them know what happens next. Those who need ongoing support will be referred to alternative health services, depending on their specific needs, as will new patients who report to their GP with long COVID symptoms.

From 2020, dedicated national funding was allocated to run long COVID services.

In Cheshire and Merseyside, these services are accessed through a GP referral, and provided through a number of hubs, run by the following NHS trusts:  

• Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  
• Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  
• East Cheshire NHS Trust  
• Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust  
• Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust  
• Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust  

During the 2022-23 financial year, 2,910 people in Cheshire and Merseyside were referred to these services, however based on recent figures, this has fallen by around 60%. At the end of December 2024, there were approximately 1,000 people on the case load across the six services. 

Due to the significant drop in referrals, and as national funding is no longer ring-fenced for these services from 1 April 2025, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is in the process of reviewing how long COVID support is provided in the future, and the hubs listed above have closed to referrals.

While the wider review is underway, GPs will refer new patients to alternative services, depending on their clinical needs. All patients who are currently under the care of a long COVID service will be contacted direct by the trust providing their care, to let them know what will happen next. Again, where people require ongoing support, they will be given a referral to an alternative service, such as respiratory or pain management services.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is one of the largest integrated care boards (ICBs) in the country and is responsible for planning NHS services in the region, which includes the care people receive at their GP practice, local pharmacy, NHS dentist, NHS opticians, or at hospital.

We serve a population of over 2.7m people across Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral.

Please visit our website for more information.