Cornwall to get new 'long Covid' centres says Nadine Dorries

Health minister Nadine Dorries made the announcement in parliament yesterday, saying Cornwall was one of four places in the UK where 12 new sites were earmarked for opening in 2021.

Also due to get centres will be the East Midlands, Lancashire and the Isle of Wight.

They will be in addition to the 69 centres already operating in England, which diagnose and support people suffering from extended symptoms after catching Covid-19.

Ms Dorries said: "There are now 69 centres operating across England where hundreds of patients are already receiving treatment. These centres are assessing and diagnosing people experiencing long-term health effects as a result of Covid-19 infection.

“A further 12 sites are earmarked to launch in 2021, and they will in the East Midlands, Lancashire, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight."

The Packet has contacted NHS Kernow for further information.

What is long Covid?

The NHS has given more details about the long-term effects of coronavirus, known as post-Covid-19 syndrome or, more commonly, 'long Covid'.

It states that for some people, Covid-19 can cause symptoms that last weeks or months after the infection has gone.

While many people feel better in a few days or weeks after contracting the virus, with most making a full recovery within 12 weeks, for some people symptoms can last longer.

The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill you are when you first get coronavirus, and people who had mild symptoms at first can still have long-term problems.

What are the symptoms?

Common long Covid symptoms include:

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• shortness of breath

• chest pain or tightness
• problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• pins and needles
• joint pain
• depression and anxiety
• tinnitus, earaches
• feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
• a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
• rashes

Source: NHS.uk

What has been said about it?

Ms Dorries was speaking in reply to Labour MP Andrew Gwynne, who told the Commons that he continued to experience brain fog some ten months after displaying Covid-19 symptoms.

He added that his short-term memory was “shot to pieces” and that although his actual illness lasted for around 12 days, back in March 2020, he is still feeling the effects today.

MP Andrew Gwynne has spoken of the effects of long Covid. Picture: PA Images

MP Andrew Gwynne has spoken of the effects of long Covid. Picture: PA Images

The PA News Agency reported the MP for Denton and Reddish telling the House: “My condition is not as severe as it was even just a few months back, there have been real improvements, but it’s been a hard slog to get here.

"For the first seven months or so the exhaustion came back frequently and to the point where doing just simple tasks around the house brought me out in massive sweats like I’d run the London Marathon

“I had lots of dizzy spells, I’ve never had vertigo before this, and oh the brain fog – in a job where you have to be razor sharp, my short-term memory is shot to pieces. I’ve had to learn to pace myself, trying to push my limits would set me back. I still have to remind myself not to overdo it.

“Now the lasting symptom is still brain fog. When it’s bad, taking in information and processing it is so difficult and physically and mentally tiring, often triggering headaches, dizziness and vertigo.”

Mr Gwynne argued the Department for Work and Pensions needs to do more to recognise long Covid when carrying out work capability assessments and other interviews.

He was among several MPs to press the Government to acknowledge that children can also suffer from the condition, with an awareness campaign required and access to treatment.