Susanne Hunter, 54, feels that there is little help or guidance for medical professionals dealing with long covid patients after being continually told by her GP that they are still in the learning stage.

The former care worker first contracted covid in September 2020 and sought help from her doctor in February 2021 after struggling with breathing problems, heart palpations and weight loss.

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She said: “I got referred for breathing tests and referred to a dietician and I am still waiting nearly a year on. The GP just tells you that we’re still learning about this virus, but it’s been two years and I have had 15 months of this.

“My GP has done her best for me, but it feels like there is so little information and help out there for people with long covid. It seems like it is never talked about, and the health boards should be doing more to transfer information and guidance to GP practices.”

Susanne Hunter

She feels that spending 15 months stuck in her home with long covid has not only been physically debilitating but has taken a toll on her mental health.

She said: “I suffer from panic attacks and sometimes can’t get out of bed without gasping for air, and I become dizzy and overwhelmed and have fallen a few times.

“I am petrified to leave the house. I am so scared of catching it again, the only people who have been in my home since September 2020 is my GP and a nurse. Since then, my life has been completely non-existent.”

Susanne referred herself to counselling and is now taking medication for depression and anxiety but is more concerned about how she will ever manage her covid symptoms after such a long period of time.

She said: “I have joined a long covid Facebook group and there are a lot of other people in the same boat as me, which has been helpful to feel less alone.

“But everyone in the group shares the same feelings - where do we go from here? What are we supposed to do? What help is out there?

“I have suffered physically, mentally and financially because of this. I don’t want others to experience this too.”

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A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: “We apologise to any patient who feels they are waiting too long for Long-COVID. Long-COVID remains a developing area of practice and we’re working hard across NHSGGC with GP practices to ensure they are aware of and have access to the most up-to-date information and guidance for patients with this illness.

“We are also currently managing waiting lists in our rehab services which are a result of COVID-19 and the need to remain socially distanced within clinics.

“Given the range of severity and breadth of side-effects caused by the illness, patients are supported through the National Framework for Long-COVID which helps identify their individual care needs and appropriate treatments.

“This could include intensive specialised rehabilitation as an inpatient, or more commonly, care should be provided through existing specialist clinics at our hospitals or through primary care GPs and community led rehabilitation alongside self-care.

“Within NHSGGC we are focusing on strengthening the services already established to ensure a sustainable community delivery.

“This is in line with current national approach and guidance. We are also leading the way with a number of clinical trials will help understand the impact of long-COVID as well as the best treatments to prevent or reduce complications and symptoms after COVID-19. This includes the PHOSP-COVID and HEAL- COVID studies which will shape future treatment across the UK.”