LINGERING WORRY: Local GP calls for more Long COVID support

THE operator of Geelong’s first primary care Long COVID clinic says thousands of local residents are likely suffering in silence with the condition as governments and healthcare networks come to terms with its implications.

Geelong Long COVID clinic began at Newcomb earlier this year to fill a shortfall identified by local GPs in patients being able to receive diagnosis, testing and treatment for the condition.

Local researchers believe more than 10,000 people in greater Geelong are likely experiencing extended symptoms from the respiratory illness more than 12 weeks since their initial infection.

But just a fraction of that cohort is seeking treatment or even aware of their condition – a fact Geelong General Practitioner Dr Bernard Shiu wants to change.

The Banksia Medical Centre director led the establishment of the new clinic that he said was seeing four to six patients each week, with about 150 coming through the doors since it opened in June.

The service involves preliminary testing and assessments to confirm the presence of Long COVID against other respiratory conditions.

Ongoing treatment plans including changes to medication and referrals to other health specialists such as physiotherapists and dieticians.

Dr Shiu said issues around awareness of Long COVID issues and “rudimentary” reporting of COVID-19 infections at patient level was creating holes in the healthcare system.

“I think there are a lot of patients suffering quietly because they don’t know this condition exists and that there is help at hand.

“The message we need to get out is: if you are still suffering symptoms that can’t be explained by any other means 12 weeks after your COVID-positive result, then you need to talk to your GP.

“At the professional level, we need the patients need to tell us if they’ve had a positive RAT or PCR result, sometimes we’re not informed until they came for a cholesterol check or diabetes check and say, ‘oh yeah, back in January I had COVID’.”

Dr Shiu has also been part of a state-wide research project that is helping provide advice to health authorities on how to tackle the ongoing illness.

The Victorian Post-Acute COVID-19 sequelae (VPACS) research group says Australian studies indicate at least 10 per cent of people who have had COVID-19 later suffer from Long COVID.

Dr Shiu said the “staggering numbers” posed a genuine threat to existing healthcare systems and highlighted the urgency to create response frameworks.

“Even at just one per cent, you’re looking at 26,000 people that need care [across Victoria]. The hospital system will collapse if 26,000 people suddenly show up.

“There patients will most likely be seeing their GPs. They’ll most likely access care in their community.

“We really need to support our GPs to do our job right; ascertain each patient, where they’re at, what sort of help they need, have we done enough that can be done in the community so they don’t have to go to hospital.”

The VPACS research formed part of its submission to an ongoing federal Parliament inquiry into Long COVID and repeated COVID-19 infections, which started in September.

It recommended that federal and state health authorities worked on a long-term plan for “an increased disease, social and economic burden due to post COVID-19 conditions”, including financial support for GPs, funded Long COVID clinics and ongoing research.