Long Covid

What is Long Covid?

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Healthwatch England has shared some useful information about Long Covid including the common symptoms and when to get support.

After contracting COVID-19 it can take up to 12 weeks for your symptoms to disappear and for you to make a full recovery from the virus. For some people, COVID-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone. Symptoms that go on longer than 12 weeks are known as ‘Long Covid’.

The chances of having long-term symptoms are not linked to how ill you were when you first got COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of Long Covid?

There are wide-ranging symptoms making it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Everyone’s condition and symptoms are slightly different.

The main symptoms are the same as COVID-19:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Changes to the sense of taste or smell
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle ache
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Memory Loss
  • High temperature
  • Sore throat

Additional symptoms fall into one of three main categories:

Physical symptoms

  • Joint pain
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Breathlessness
  • Heart palpitations
  • Dizziness
  • Pins and needles
  • Tinnitus or earache
  • Feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches or loss of appetite

Cognitive issues

  • Memory problems
  • Concentration problems (‘brain fog’)
  • Depression and anxiety

Fatigue

  • Extreme tiredness
  • Low energy
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Needing a lot more sleep than normal

When should I contact my doctor?

Advice from the NHS suggests you contact your doctor if you are worried about continuing symptoms more than four weeks after having COVID-19.

To contact your GP surgery, you can:

  • Visit their website
  • Call them
  • Use the NHS app

Your doctor will need to rule out other causes for your symptoms and may wish to conduct some tests before reaching their diagnosis. These tests can include blood tests or an x-ray.

How will I know if I have Long Covid?

Unfortunately, there is currently no standard test for Long Covid. People suspected of having Long Covid are diagnosed by ruling out the more common causes of their symptoms.

What causes Long Covid?

Long Covid is a relatively new condition, so we don’t know very much about its causes yet. Several different things are likely to cause such a wide range of symptoms in people.

Who is most likely to get Long Covid?

We have only recently started tracking Long Covid. However, over 1.8 million people in the UK have symptoms for more than four weeks.

The condition is most common in:

  • 35 to 49-year-olds
  • Women
  • People with underlying health conditions which limit their normal activity levels
  • People working in health, social care or education
  • People who are living in poorer areas across the country.

Treatment and support

Find out what treatment options are available on the NHS and what support you can get to help you manage your symptoms.

Read about your options

 

Visit our Covid-19 Information Page

 

Diabetes UK online event

Online Event – Diabetes UK

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Join us in the run up to Diabetes Week 2022 to hear from Colin Renshaw from Diabetes UK on Friday 10 June, 1pm-2pm.

In this free, online public event Colin will provide information about the different types of diabetes and how to manage and live well with the condition. We will also hear about national and local support available from Diabetes UK. There will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: 

If you would like to tell us about your recent experience of diabetes services please get in touch.

Zoom

Online Event – National Autistic Society

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Come along to our free, online public event to hear from Nellie Allsop from the National Autistic Society who will provide a brief overview of autism and the support available in Northumberland.

Nellie will share an overview of what autism is, drawing on her personal and professional experiences. She will also provide information on how autistic people and their families can access support, both locally within Northumberland and nationally.

There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event:

Two men playing chess in a care home

Care homes forum 9 May 2022

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Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 9 May, 10.30am-11.30am.

At our previous forums we have heard how visiting restrictions in care homes have affected people living there and their relatives, more recent experiences of visiting as an ‘essential care giver’ and discussed things ‘we wish we had known’ when our loved ones moved into care homes to help us produce some future guidance to support others.

At our next forum we will be joined by Alan Curry, Senior Manager – Commissioning Northumberland County Council who will try to answer any questions on Northumberland care home visiting alongside the current national guidance.

To register for a space please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care home forums

Out of hours healthcare

Where can I go to get help for my health out of hours?

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Health issues unfortunately don’t leave us alone at the weekend and people are often in need of medical assistance out of hours. Using NHS guidelines, we have provided some advice and information on where you can go for help when your GP is closed.

Where you can go to get help out of hours

The NHS pledges to provide services at a time that’s convenient for you. They have produced guidance on how best to access services out of hours that can be found in full online – NHS out-of-hours services.

  • Phone NHS 111
    This service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a service that provides medical advice as well as the details of the services closest to you that help you deal with your need following a medical assessment.
  • Visit your local pharmacy
    Your pharmacist will be able to help you with a number of issues. How your pharmacy can help
  • Visit your nearest NHS walk in centre
    If you need treatment for minor injuries or illnesses such as cuts, bruises and rashes you can visit your nearest NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre or minor injuries unit. These are not suitable for treating long term conditions. To be seen at one of these services you do not need an appointment, or to be registered. You may be referred to one of these services by NHS 111, or you can just walk in.

When to visit an urgent care centre

Take a look at the NHS guidance on when to visit an urgent care centre (walk in centre) to find out if this is the right service for your health needs.

Find out more

Should I go to A&E?

Accident and Emergency departments are for serious or life-threatening emergencies and should not be used as an alternative to a GP appointment. You should go to your nearest A&E if you require urgent medical attention.

For example if you’re experiencing:

  • loss of consciousness
  • chest pain
  • breathing difficulties
  • fits that are not stopping
  • severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
  • severe allergic reactions
  • severe burns or scalds
  • stroke
  • major trauma

Not all hospitals have an A&E department. Use the A&E service search to find your nearest A&E department or read the guidance in full from the NHS to find out more about when to go to A&E.

Out-of-hours medicines

Running out of your medication during the holidays or over the weekend can be a big worry. If you run out the medication you need outside of your GP practice’s normal opening hours and need some urgently, there are a few steps you can take to get an emergency supply.

Where you can get medication from will depend on whether you already have a prescription or whether a prescription is needed. Take a look at the guidance from the NHS to find out more.

Find out more

Prudhoe Healthy Living Week

Prudhoe Healthy Living Week

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We are taking part in Prudhoe Community Partnership’s ‘Prudhoe Healthy Living Week’, which runs from Monday 25 April until lunchtime on Saturday 30 April at Prudhoe Community Hub (61 Front Street).

Local organisations will be offering activities and information about physical and mental health support throughout the week, and we will be there on Tuesday 26 April from 10am until 3pm.

Come along and see us – we’ll have information and freebies to give away. We’d also like to hear about how you use your local pharmacy services. Hope to see you there!

Healthy lifestyle

Northumberland Integrated Wellbeing Service

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As part of our information and signposting service, we’re shining a spotlight on organisations offering all kinds of support to people in Northumberland.

The Integrated Wellbeing Service focuses on providing specialist health improvement support and training to local organisations and individuals with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of those living and working within Northumberland.

The team provides specialist health improvement training and offers support to people who wish to make healthy lifestyle changes. This includes advice and support relating to healthy eating, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and increasing physical activity. Bespoke training packages can also be provided.

Support on offer includes:

  • Starting Well for Life – a programme for children in Reception and Year 6 living in Northumberland and their families.
  • You’re Welcome Quality Criteria – a set of quality criteria for young people friendly community and health services.
  • Ageing Well – Ageing Well plans and works with local people, valuing and respecting their rich knowledge, skills, experience and energy to ensure Northumberland is a good place to grow older.
  • Specialist Health Improvement Support – the Integrated Wellbeing Service provides specialist health improvement support and training to local organisations and individuals with the aim of reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of those living and working within Northumberland.
  • Specialist Stop Smoking Service – offers specialist support to give up smoking. With specialist support you are three times more likely to succeed.
  • Health Trainer Service – the Health Trainer Service can help you make realistic lifestyle changes that are tailored to your needs.
  • Better Health at Work Award – the Integrated Wellbeing Service supports the North East Better Health at Work award, a regional award scheme which recognises and endorses workplaces that motivate employees in developing a sustainable culture of health and wellbeing.
  • Public Health Campaigns – learn more about Public Health Campaigns related to integrated wellbeing.
  • Community Health Champions – the Integrated Wellbeing Service delivers a Community Health Champions rolling programme.

Find out more at the website

Get in touch with the Integrated Wellbeing Service by email: integratedwellbeing@northumberland.gov.uk or call: 01670 623 097.

 

Dentistry

Dentistry in Northumberland since March 2020

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The COVID-19 crisis has affected many areas of the NHS both locally and nationally. One significant issue that people have raised nationally is about access to dental care.

Data from the Department of Health highlights that almost 1,000 dentists working in 2,500 roles across England and Wales left the NHS last year. This is having an adverse effect on members of the public being able to see a local dentist for both regular check-ups and when emergency treatment is needed. Not only has this been frustrating, but many people have been left in pain or discomfort as a result. Some individuals have been offered the option of having private treatment, but this is not affordable for many.

Without improved access to NHS dental care, not only do people risk facing greater dental problems in the future, pressure will increase on overstretched hospitals and GPs. Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, infection and the exacerbation of other health conditions such as heart and lung disease and stroke. This national picture is echoed in Northumberland, and throughout the second half of 2021 we received feedback from the public that accessing NHS dental services was very difficult, whether registering with an NHS dentist or getting treatment.

With the need to now have lull time in the consulting room between patients, due to COVID-safe guidelines, there is no longer the capacity within NHS dental services to meet their targets, let alone deal with the backlog of appointments that didn’t go ahead due to the lockdown.

Following an initial meeting between Healthwatch Northumberland, Healthwatch North Tyneside, Healthwatch Newcastle, Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch South Tees, the opportunity to work collaboratively with local Healthwatch partners across the North East was offered to all local Healthwatch. Collectively we agreed that there is a need for better access, to NHS dental services, but that this needed surveying and reporting both locally and on a regional basis.

Three other local Healthwatch joined the group: Healthwatch Hartlepool, Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees and Healthwatch Darlington. These eight teams from the North East and North Cumbria Healthwatch Network agreed to undertake a joint project to understand the concerns of their respective local communities.

The aim of the study was to determine whether accessing NHS dental services is being raised by a small number of people having a problem or whether it is a more widespread issue. If it is a widespread issue, then to use our findings to:

  • Influence the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (NE&NC ICS), local service providers, and NHS England to improve access to NHS dentistry.
  • Inform the national picture through sharing our findings with Healthwatch England who are calling for reform of the NHS dental contract alongside the British Dental Association (BDA).
  • Support improved information for patients regarding NHS dentistry.

Read our findings and recommendations below:

Experiences with dentistry in Northumberland since March 2020

NHS Galleri Trial

NHS trials new cancer test

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Northumberland and South Tyneside have been selected within the North East and North Cumbria to take part in the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.

People aged 50 to 77 are being asked to look out over the coming days for a letter from the NHS inviting them to take part in the trial.

Participants must not have had a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the last three years and have no concerning symptoms. They will have a small blood sample taken at mobile clinics that will visit Northumberland at the end of April and throughout May as well as South Tyneside in May. Participants will be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples.

The potentially lifesaving Galleri™ test checks for the signs of cancer in the blood and the NHS-Galleri trial, the first of its kind, aims to recruit 140,000 volunteers nationally, including thousands in South Tyneside and Northumberland, to see how well the test works in the NHS. The trial team are inviting people from a wide range of backgrounds and ethnicities to ensure results are relevant for as many different people as possible.

Dr Hassan Tahir, primary care lead on the GRAIL project for the Northern Cancer Alliance, said most people were now aware of the benefits of finding cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.

“By taking part in this trial, people in South Tyneside and Northumberland will be at the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world,” he said.

“Registering for the trial is easy – just look out for the letter which will show you how to book an appointment online or over the phone. If you receive a letter do please consider being part of the trial. The test is a simple blood test that has the potential for identifying cancers at an early stage, this includes head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers.”

Dr Robin Hudson, medical director at NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), added: “At Northumberland CCG, we are very excited about this ground-breaking study into early cancer detection. We would encourage everyone who is eligible to take part as we believe it could make a huge difference to our population by preventing lives being cut short by this awful disease.”

The Northern Cancer Alliance is helping to ensure participants who test positive in this region get the necessary follow-up appointments.

The NHS-Galleri trial is being run by The Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit in partnership with NHS England and healthcare company, GRAIL, which has developed the Galleri test. All participants will be advised to continue with their standard NHS screening appointments and still to contact their GP if they notice any new or unusual symptoms.

Sir Harpal Kumar, President of GRAIL Europe, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the NHS to support the NHS Long Term Plan for earlier cancer diagnosis, and we are eager to bring our technology to people in the UK as quickly as we can. The Galleri test can not only detect a wide range of cancer types but also predict where the cancer is in the body.”

Patients whose condition is diagnosed at ‘stage one’ typically have between five and 10 times the chance of surviving compared with those found at ‘stage four’.

Initial results of the study are expected by 2023 and, if successful, NHS England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025. The trial is the latest initiative launched by the NHS to meet its Long-Term Plan commitment of finding three-quarters of cancers at an early stage by 2028.

Read more about the Galleri trial

Have you used cancer services in the last 12 months?

Tell us about your experiences of and views on services so that those who provide them know what they are doing well, and what could be improved. Your feedback can help make services better for everyone.

Dementia activities

Free online event – Alzheimer’s Society

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Join us on Friday 8 April for this free, online public event to hear from Helen Mayne who will provide a brief overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Dementia is a progressive neurological condition and the UK’s biggest killer. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity who campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia.

Helen Mayne, Alzheimer’s Society’s local services manager, will join us to give an overview of what dementia is, how it can affect people and what support Alzheimer’s Society can provide for people in Northumberland who are living with the condition.

This will include an outline of their recent expansion to services and what it means for people who receive a diagnosis.

There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Register now at the link below and we will send you a link to join closer to the event.