To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the estimated number of people with long COVID; and (ii) the support available to them.

Recent analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 1.27m people in private households in the UK reported experiencing long COVID of any duration. This relates to self-reported long COVID, rather than clinically diagnosed ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome. Of those people 29,000 were from in Northern Ireland.

Establishing dedicated services for the assessment and treatment of Post-Covid-19 syndrome patients has been a priority for me. I was therefore pleased to announce the launch the first dedicated assessment and treatment services for patients with post Covid-19 syndrome in Northern Ireland.

From 1st November 2021, one-stop-shop multidisciplinary assessment clinics have been accepting referrals for post-Covid-19 syndrome. These clinics will offer services across multiple disciplines including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing. The clinics will allow people to have a comprehensive assessment of their condition and will help them access the services and expert advice they need to support them in their recovery.

The assessment clinic is one element of the suite of services that are being established for post-Covid-19 patients. Other elements include:

Bespoke pulmonary rehabilitation / dysfunctional breathing service for patients with significant respiratory symptoms post COVID-19;

Additional support for patients discharged from critical care (both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19);

Strengthening psychology support to all Trusts; and,

Signposting and access to self-management resources.