The outstanding work of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s (CDDFT) Post-Covid Assessment Service has gained national recognition, showcasing its innovative and patient-centred approach to post-COVID care.
National Spotlight
Dr Caroline Gibson, Clinical Lead GP for the service, and Assistant Psychologist presented their findings at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine conference in September.
Out of nearly 90 applications, the team was one of just six selected to present, highlighting the effectiveness of their integrative approach.
Their work has since been published in the Wiley Lifestyle Medicine Journal, a prestigious publication, as an example of best practice in post-COVID care.
A Collaborative and Holistic Approach
The Post-Covid Assessment Service exemplifies the power of collaboration across health and care organisations in the County Durham Care Partnership.
The multidisciplinary team includes:
- Primary and secondary care clinicians
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychiatrists and psychologists
- Community practitioners
This diverse expertise enables the team to create personalised care plans tailored to each patient’s needs, using a shared decision-making approach to deliver holistic and person-centred care.
National Impact
Post-COVID syndrome affects over 2 million people in the UK, with three-quarters experiencing significant impacts on their daily lives.
Since its inception, the service has made a remarkable difference:
- 2,821 referrals to the service over the last three years
- 1,524 initial medical assessments and 1,668 therapy assessments completed
- A total of 10,027 follow-up appointments delivered across the multidisciplinary team
Dr Gibson expressed her pride in the service’s achievements: “I am delighted that the work of the service has had this recognition at a national level. It was really well received, and the people I spoke to were enthusiastic and positive about our integrative, person-centred, holistic approach to care.”
Leading the Way in Post-COVID Care
The national recognition underscores the vital role of CDDFT’s Post-Covid Assessment Service in supporting patients to manage and recover from the long-term effects of COVID-19.
This achievement highlights the Trust’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and improving patient outcomes.
