Long-Covid clinics sought for Cavan
Independent Councillor Brendan Fay tabled the motion at the January monthly meeting.
The council is to write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the HSE CEO asking for the retention and expansion of long-Covid clinics - to include Cavan - to treat the thousands suffering from “adverse effects” post infection.
It has been asked that the issue also be raised with the regional health board and local hospital, and that the motion be circulated to other councils around the country asking that they too give their backing for the measure.
Independent Councillor Brendan Fay tabled the motion at the January monthly meeting of elected members where he said there are some 200 conditions associated with long Covid. Common symptoms include profound fatigue, shortness of breath and post exertional malaise.
The symptoms can appear following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode, or persisting from the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection.
It is estimated there are likely to be 336,451 adults in Ireland suffering from or have suffered from medical conditions associated with long Covid, based on an extrapolation of Netherlands-based research published in The Lancet in August 2022.
Five post-acute Covid clinics have been established at University Hospital Galway, the Mater University Hospital and Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. These post-acute clinics are managing patients between four and 12 weeks after the initial onset of infection.
Five new long Covid clinics have also been established at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and University Hospital Galway.
Both Tallaght University Hospital and St James’s Hospital are operating combined post-acute and long Covid clinics, while a dedicated long Covid clinic and a post-acute Covid clinic are due to be opened shortly in Cork University Hospital.
The HSE is continuing to work with Letterkenny University Hospital and Limerick University Hospital to progress the opening of clinics there.
“Now is the time to help these people,” stated Cllr Fay, suggesting that one such centre be established at Cavan General.
His motion was supported by fellow independent councillor Shane P. O’Reilly.