Dr. Colm Henry:

We developed an interim model of care based on the evidence we had in 2021 and HIQA subsequently assessed that model of care and broadly what we have done. The understanding of long Covid is changing all the time. Initially there was a focus largely on fatigue, and cardiac and respiratory sequelae. There is now an increasing awareness of neurological and cerebral consequences from long Covid. For this reason, the model of care we developed in response to demand was the establishment of post-acute long Covid clinics as well as a neuropsychiatric unit in St. James's Hospital for tertiary referral. Those units are accepting patients from the other units. The numbers are very difficult to gauge. Population surveys will find high levels of reporting of any of the symptoms, which are not specific to long Covid but can also be found in other post viral conditions. The numbers tend to wane over time. In other words, there is a high element of self-resolution. However, without doubt the experience here and internationally points to high levels of complications in the aftermath and persisting for months afterwards.