NHS Forth Valley has hit back at criticism from a local MSP over its support of those suffering with the effects of long Covid.
The issue was raised by Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart who says a 16-year-old consituent had been unable to secure any support for the condition since last September and had been forced off school.
The teenager’s GP wrote to the health board enquiring about help, but was told they were unable to treat her as NHS Forth Valley “do not support long Covid”.
It led to Mr Stewart raising a question with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over the issue, while Health Secretary Humza Yousaf wrote a letter in response laying out some of the regional support in place.
An NHS Forth Valley spokesperson denies the claims and said local people suffering from the long-term impact of Covid-19 are able to secure a range of health services.
The spokesperson said: “We have a range of services, including our ReACH rehabilitation teams, which are able to provide advice, treatment and support to local people recovering from Covid-19. People can also access support from their GP practices who are able to refer to specialist health services, where appropriate.
“In addition, we are exploring how we can best develop services and support to meet the needs of local people experiencing long term effects of Covid-19, in line with recent national guidance.”
In his letter, Mr Yousaf also confirmed his team were working with NHS Forth Valley to highlight the details received in the case and said the Scottish Government had established a £10 million fund aimed at supporting local boards with Long Covid.
Mr Yousaf wrote: “NHS Forth Valley is currently working to agree a standard referral pathway into services based on the individual needs of people living with Long Covid”.
“National resources are being developed to support access to advice and supported self-management and Forth Valley will be working to develop local relevant resources in line with this activity.
“The board has begun to gather information in respect of the predicted needs of people with Long Covid and analysis of people’s current and future needs of services.
“NHS Forth Valley is planning activity with its communications services to advise referrers including GPs of this work and how to access services based on the presenting needs of their patients.
“In addition, board service planners will be undertaking a gap analysis to support augmentation of existing services to meet need eg. respiratory, fatigue and cognitive.”
