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BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3392 (Published 03 September 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m3392

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COVID-19 Community Rehabilitation Needs Audit

Dear Editor

COVID-19 Community Rehabilitation Needs Audit

Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust provides services across eleven out of thirty two London boroughs and the county of Hertfordshire. The Trust has been caring and enabling people to live with post-acute or long covid.

A recent internal audit entitled “COVID-19 Community Rehabilitation Needs Audit” highlighted the impact of therapy provided by multidisciplinary team on people with persistent post Covid symptoms (so called “long haulers”). Patients' symptoms included breathlessness, fatigue, muscle weakness, pain, psychological/mood disorders, cognitive impairment, unplanned weight loss, swallowing difficulties and changes to voice. These were assessed initially and then on discharge. Their social care needs were addressed too.

Post Covid patients’ symptoms improved in all respect after period of community rehabilitation. This reahabilitation programme to improve patients’ functional abilities and wellbeing and data compilation were lauded as “excellent” by patient and their families. Relieving people from burden of ill health, disabilities and social care needs, boosted staff morale and satisfaction.

Competing interests: Pleased and proud to be a CLCH employee

14 September 2020
Shah M Tauzeeh
Associate Specialist Physician
Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) NHS Trust
North Central London Barnet Division Edgware Community Hospital Burnt Oak Broadway HA8 0AD