The Merseyside NHS Long Covid service will close on the 1st of April due to the loss of dedicated national funding.
Support groups criticised the decision, saying that it would reduce support for those who are still suffering from the condition almost five years after the first pandemic lockdown began.
Dr Margaret O’Hara, Trustee & Co-founder of charity Long Covid Support, said:
“The NHS is under immense pressure, but closing Long Covid clinics is not the answer. These clinics have proven their value by improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare efficiency.
“Rather than closing them, effective treatment of Long Covid will allow thousands of affected individuals to take a more active role in the economy, in their communities, and in society.”
A representative for Mersey Care stated that the decision to cease funding for the Long Covid service was decided at a national level.
As of December 2024, there were around 1,000 people relying on these services across Merseyside and Cheshire, a reported 60% drop in numbers compared with 2022-2023.
The service launched in 2020 to support patients suffering from ongoing effects of Covid with the NHS listing symptoms such as:
- Respiratory (breathing) symptoms: breathlessness, cough
- Skin rash
- Brain fog and feeling sleepy
- Cardiovascular (heart) symptoms: disturbances, chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations
- Fatigue, high temperature, pain, hair loss
While specific Long Covid services are closing, patients will be referred to alternative services on a ‘case-by-case’ basis according to Cheshire and Merseyside NHS.
The closure shortly follows the 5th anniversary of the first Covid lockdown, and only weeks after a National Day of Reflection.
Earlier this month, Liverpool residents gathered at St, George’s Hall for a commemoration event featuring a paper lantern labyrinth developed by Jo Pocock from the Lantern Company.
Paul Challinor, Venue Manager at St George’s Hall described the installation as “a moment of quiet contemplation, the idea of going through a journey in the same way we all collectively went through a journey”.
Visitors were invited to add their own messages, with one local writing: “Remembering every person who lived, loved and lost in the pandemic. Liverpool Remembers.”
Mr Challinor added that the government “have encouraged local governments across the country to put on events in remembrance to give people a space to remember the people they have lost.
“Liverpool Council was at the forefront of various measures during Covid.”
Ms Pocock said: “The idea of visitors being able to leave personal messages on the globe at the centre was also important, as it allowed each person the chance to share as much or as little as they wanted of their experience of the pandemic as part of the artwork.
“We invited guest writer/poets Alison Down and Amina Atiq to support visitors in writing their messages as a ‘gift to the globe’.
“The lantern globe at the centre of the labyrinth was an in-house design, made by local artist Julian Taylor in partnership with our in-house team of artists, who installed the labyrinth on the morning of the event.
“It was an honour to create the installation as a space for reflection and healing and we shared some very profound memories and conversations with visitors of the course of the day.”
