Recovery service launched for Coronavirus survivors

The Covid-19 Recovery Service, which has been set up by NI Chest Heart & Stroke, will help survivors deal with the physical and psychological problems caused by the illness and will assist them in building up their lung and general health on the long road to recuperation.

Linzi Davidson, the charity’s respiratory co-ordinator in the Western Trust area, said there needs to be a focus on the long term effects for those who have survived Covid-19.

“People are suffering the physical effects as well as the mental fallout of having been through such a trauma. A lot of the public focus has been on the virus itself, but there now needs to be a focus on the recovery and long-term effects for those who have survived the illness.

“Despite a massive drop in public donations, NICHS is pushing ahead with providing this important service because we feel passionately about supporting and saving local lives.”

NI Chest Heart and Stroke will initially provide the service by phone, video call and internet. Once Covid-19 restrictions are sufficiently relaxed, and guidance safely permits, they will deliver face-to-face interactions.

“Since the start of this pandemic, we have been providing all our services remotely,” Linzi added.

“We have made more than 17,000 calls to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions across Northern Ireland. That equates to more than 279,000 minutes of advice and reassurance. Remote working is not ideal, but we have introduced a variety of resources, including exercise and breathing videos, to help people build up their lung capacity and heart health.”

The calls have helped people continue to manage their health during the pandemic.

Covid-19 survivors can be referred to the recovery service by a medical professional or can self-refer by emailing [email protected].