Primary care is at the forefront of long Covid care and this announcement will provide confidence that we will have the infrastructure, shared knowledge and data for GPs and their teams across Wales to respond to patients’ needs.

£5 million has been pledged to tackle long Covid by the Health Minister as she says people suffering from the condition must be taken seriously.

The money will be used to fund a new programme called 'Adferiad' or 'Recover' to expand the provision of diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and care for those suffering from the long-term effects of Covid-19.

The Adferiad programme, which will be launched later this week to coincide with new
guidelines on the treatment of the long-term effects, will be reviewed every six months.

The Welsh Government says it and NHS Wales recognise long Covid as a serious and potentially debilitating condition.

Eluned Morgan MS has visited the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of
Wales to meet clinicians delivering Covid Rehabilitation and
Recovery services, to learn about the challenges they have faced dealing with the long-term effect.

The Health Minister said: “In Wales we are committed to personalised treatment and rehabilitation pathways to meet people’s needs, as we believe this is the most effective way to care for those experiencing the effects of long Covid.

“By investing in the staff, infrastructure, training and tools to deliver these services, we are showing our commitment to improving the diagnosis, treatment and care of those with long COVID.”

The aim of the programme is to minimise the number of referral points for
people, and to give people access to specialised services where necessary
following a consultation with their GP.

Professor Peter Saul, Joint Chair of Royal College of General Practitioners Cymru Wales said: “The condition has required us all to learn and adapt quickly to support our patients.

“Primary care is at the forefront of long Covid care and this announcement will
provide confidence that we will have the infrastructure, shared knowledge and data
for GPs and their teams across Wales to respond to patients’ needs.”

People do not need to have had a positive test or have been confirmed to have had
COVID-19 in order to be diagnosed with long Covid.

If people are not already under the care of a health professional they can access
long Covid, and Covid rehabilitation services via their GP or primary care
professional.

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