Post-COVID Syndrome (Long Covid)

• How to manage your energy levels

Quick guides for occupational therapists: Occupational therapy and Long Covid (Post COVID-19 Syndrome/Condition) 

These quick guides outline the unique role of occupational therapists in supporting adults, children and young people to manage and recover from Long Covid. They have been written for occupational therapists working in specialist Long Covid services and in other acute, primary, secondary and community settings. 

The guides will also be useful for service managers and commissioners responsible for planning and delivering specialist Long Covid services, and for parents, carers and families of people affected by Long Covid. 

• Long Covid guide - adults (PDF, 778.08KB) 
• Long Covid guide - children and young people (PDF, 653.94KB) 

The Professional Advisory Service is available to support all RCOT members, including those experiencing difficulties arising from COVID-19. A range of assistance is also available from UNISON.

• RCOT Professional Advisory Service
• Unison There for You

• National Institute for Health Research – Researching Long Covid
• British Medical Journal – COVID-19 Hub
• Office for National Statistics – COVID-19 datasets

• NICE, SIGN and RCGP: COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
• NHS England and Improvement: Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID)
• HSC Northern Ireland: Long COVID recovery support
• NHS Inform: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Longer-term effects (long COVID)
• Welsh Government: Health and social care professionals - coronavirus

• FutureNHS Collaboration platform – Long COVID Network. Email england.clinicalpolicy@nhs.net to request access.
• NHS London AHP Long Covid Network. Email england.londonahpcovid@nhs.net to request access (open to AHPs UK-wide)
• Clinical Post COVID Society

• Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust: Return to work videos
• Faculty of Occupational Medicine: Guidance on return to work for people with Long Covid
• NHS Employers: Supporting recovery after Long Covid
• Queen Margaret University: Support after COVID-19 podcast series
• Society of Occupational Medicine: COVID-19 return to work guide: for managers
• Society of Occupational Medicine: COVID-19 return to work guide: for recovering workers
• Society of Occupational Medicine: Long Covid and return to work – what works? (PDF)

• Health Education England: Long Covid e-learning programme

There are several peer-support and advocacy networks run by and for people living with Long Covid. Some that have been developed with input from occupational therapists and other allied health professionals include: 

• Long Covid Kids 
• Long Covid OT 
• Long Covid Physio 
• Long Covid Support