First Cheltenham Know Your Patch coming up!

The first Cheltenham Know Your Patch Network of 2021 will be on Thursday 28 January from 11am – 12.30pm via Zoom. We hope that you’ll be able to join us on the call.

Our main agenda item will be about Long Covid and how to support people in the community. Claire Kennedy from the Post-Covid Syndrome clinic at the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group will be joining us. Here’s some more information from Claire

My name is Claire Kennedy and I am working with the team to develop a service to support those that may be struggling or suffering from ongoing symptoms of Covid after 3 months or more. The most common symptoms people struggle with are breathlessness, fatigue and inability to do daily activities without being exhausted afterwards as well as difficulty concentrating or remembering things. There are other symptoms too, and these symptoms often get better and then get worse again. Many people who are experiencing ‘Long Covid or Post-Covid Syndrome’ and are struggling to get medical support and recognition of their experience which impacts their ability to get better.

We would like to put together an education session to help people understand what Long Covid is, how to recognise it, how to support people to manage their symptoms and when to get medical support. According to the NHS guidance, the services will only be able to support patients after 3 months, and thus it is important that as many people know basic advice and guidance to prevent people struggling without any support.

I would value your time to talk through the important aspects that the community feel need to be addressed, the knowledge that needs to be shared and gain some insight into what you feel you need more help and education on to help people in your community who may have had Covid and still experiencing symptoms.

Of course we’ll also have time to share news and information from your organisation. If there are any other agenda items then please let me know asap so that I can plan the time accordingly.

Please book your place in advance by emailing angelag@grcc.org.uk . Zoom links will be sent out the day before the meeting.