What assessment has the Minister made of the Academy of Medical Science’s recommendations on long COVID?
We recognise the impact that the number of people experiencing long COVID will have on the Health and Social Care services in Wales through winter and beyond and our response aligns to the areas highlighted in the report from the Academy of Medical Sciences. Long COVID alongside other impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have been the focus of our planning and response.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Programme has work underway to prepare for increased demand and our Discharge to Recover and Assess (D2RA) pathways of the hospital discharge guidance will maximise the recovery and discharge of people who have needed services. The Strategic Primary Care programme is also working to secure greater integrated provision of Allied Healthcare Professional (AHP) services in primary and community care. Where patients require referral to secondary care and there is a waiting list, these lists are reviewed and managed according to clinical priority.
As part of the Adferiad programme all health boards are working to develop services that meet the needs of patients and I have seen for myself how patient input is being utilised. In the review the programme every six months each health Board will be asked to demonstrate how they have engaged with patients. Patients were also involved in the development of our COVID Recovery App and we continue to utilise their feedback to inform development.