Support for People with Long COVID, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and persistent fatigue
With regret the funding for the Long COVID service in City & Hackney is ending on 31 March, 2025. You can read more about the decision on the North East London Integrated Care Board website along with resources and more information. This means that the WeLCoME Service, which works with patients referred for both Long COVID and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) will no longer exist in its current form beyond this time.
This is due to significant NHS financial challenges.
We recognise that this news will be significant for you. We have therefore designed this webpage as a way to keep you updated and communicate key information to help you navigate your individual circumstances and care. This webpage will be updated as the latest information and advice becomes available. It will include the below:
- resources for the management of your care
- advice for you and your GP around the best possible support and treatment options, as these become known or available
- a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to provide answers to common questions
- advice on the best contact routes for queries and concern.
Patient information leaflets for the management of your care
Self-guided support
Related to Long COVID and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Overall Management:
ME/CFS About - The ME Association
BACME-An-Introduction-to-Dysregulation-in-MECFS-1.pdf
COVID recovery - YouTube
Breathlessness
Physiotherapy for Breathing Pattern Disorders: Home - Physio for BPD
Managing cough: Managing your cough: COVID recovery
Taste and Smell Changes:
Smell and Taste Retraining: Home - Fifth Sense
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
POTS UK: Home - PoTS UK
POTS Lifestyle Changes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7mY4hMdtDg
Return to Physical Movement
John Hopkins Guide to Restoring Movement: https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/assets/uploads/sites/10/2020/07/Bouncing-back-from-COVID-guide-to-restoring-movement.pdf
Symptom and Activity tracking
Return to Work Advice
ACAS: https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments
Vocational Rehab Association: https://vrassociationuk.com/return-to-work-after-covid/
Advice for you and your GP around the best possible support and treatment options, as these become known or available.
Organisations and services (self or GP referral)
City & Hackney NHS Therapy Services:
ME/CFS Service: Locomotor ME/CFS service | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Persistent Pain Service: Locomotor Pain Service | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Locomotor Physiotherapy: Locomotor Service | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Adult Community Rehabilitation Team: Adult Community Rehabilitation Team | Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Adult Cardiorespiratory Enhanced and Responsive Service ( ACERS ) : ACERS Homerton
Psychological Support
Talking Therapies: Self referral form | City & Hackney | Patient Portal
Mind: Home - Mind CHWF
Crisis support : https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-crisis-support-city-hackney
Health and Wellbeing Coaches
Shoreditch Trust: Shoreditch Trust | Health and Wellbeing Coaching
Physical Movement
Nuffield Health: COVID-19 Rehabilitation Programme | Nuffield Health
Suzy Bolt 360 Mindy Body Soul: 360MindBodySoul and The Fern Programme
Workplace Support
Attend ABI: Long COVID Workplace Support if Experiencing Brain Fog: https://abi.attend.org.uk/long-covid/
Hackney Supported Employment : https://app.opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/support
ACAS Helpline : https://www.acas.org.uk/advice
Social and Financial Support
Engage Hackney : Engage Hackney - Riverside
Citizens’ Advice Bureau : Citizens Advice
Carers First Hackney : Online, Phone & In Person Support for Unpaid Carers - Hackney | Carers First
Peer support
Long COVID/ME/CFS One-to-one Peer Support Service in London for patients, family and carers: https://sites.google.com/view/longcovidsolidarity/home
Other
Directory of City & Hackney Community Organisations : Find Support Services