Community Post Covid and Post Infection Conditions (CPIC)
The Community Post Covid and Post Infection Conditions (CPIC) Service is a specialist community-based service located at Whittington NHS Hospital, providing supported self-management for adults aged 18 and above residing in Haringey or Islington and living with Long Covid or other Post Infection Conditions such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
The service is made up of a multi-disciplinary team, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapy, Clinical Health Psychology, and Nurse Specialists who help individuals to learn more about their symptoms, develop skills and strategies to manage persisting symptoms, and assist their recovery to reduce the impact of living with ongoing symptoms that affect day to day function.
What are Long Covid and Post Infections Conditions?
Long Covid, ME/CFS and other Post Infection Conditions are multi-systemic long-term illnesses that usually begin after someone does not recover to full health following an infection.
These conditions have a broad range of symptoms which can fluctuate and change over time, affecting physical and psychological wellbeing, and daily functioning. Symptoms can prevent recovery to pre-infection health, be disabling, and impact return to previous roles, including return to work.
Common symptoms of Long Covid and Post Infection Conditions
- Fatigue or a feeling of significant and extreme physical and mental tiredness/exhaustion.
- Post exertional malaise (PEM), also known as post exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE).
- Reduced exercise/activity tolerance.
- Breathlessness and breathing pattern disorder (BPD).
- Widespread muscle and joint pain and/or aches.
- Difficulty with concentration and memory (brain fog).
- Sleep disturbance/unrefreshing sleep.
- Dizziness/headaches.
- Dysautonomia - lifestyle strategies.
- Digestive problems (gut dysbiosis).
- Generally feeling unwell (flu like symptoms).
- More sensitive to light, sounds and smells.
- Sore throat and tender lymph glands.
There are many other symptoms that have been identified that are not listed above and it is important to contact your GP to properly explore these to ensure that you get the correct diagnosis.
Your GP will discuss identified symptoms with you in more detail and check your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels. You may also be asked to have a blood test and other investigations at UCLH before being referred to the Community Post Covid and Post Infection Conditions Service (CPIC).
What to expect from our service
Our service provides support for people to self-manage their day-to-day and long-term symptoms. By supported self-management we mean that we work with people to develop strategies to best manage their health condition and re-engage in meaningful activity. Symptoms can often improve by changing the way you do things and developing ways to stay as well as possible.
- Introductory webinar – meet the team, learn some basic self-management strategies with signposting to online resources such as Supporting Long Covid Care and benefits support
- Online group programmes and workshops, including support for breathlessness, fatigue management, and sleep hygiene
- Individualised assessment and treatment with Specialist Nurses, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy.
- Supported use of digital platform Living With App
- Onward referral to the ENO Breathe Programme and Long-Term Conditions Programme | Nuffield Health
- Support with phased return to work including referral to external partners such as Work Well programme | West and North London ICB
- Strategies for improving mental health and wellbeing, and introducing mindfulness
- Physiotherapy for Breathing Pattern Disorder - Physio for BPD and practice good breathing technique whilst lying and sitting
- Peer support groups for you to share your experiences and receive support from other group members.
Treatment may include a combination of the above and first contact from our team will be by phone following an assessment at UCLH, Post Infection Conditions clinic, ensuring all investigations and medical management has been completed.
What service users say
“This feels like the first step towards recovery, helping me to change my mindset. I thought it was my age, but people younger than me are experiencing worse. This came at the exact right time for me, thank you."
“I love the group, this is first time in four years that I don't feel on my own anymore. Every word resonated with me, and all that shame, guilt and blame is now gone. All symptoms that I have previously dismissed - all the challenges people are experiencing.”
“Just wanted to say the content of the group sessions was excellent. It felt wonderful to meet other people and sharing experiences. I think I really needed that.”
Referrals to the Community Post Covid and Post Infection Conditions Service
We accept referrals from Islington and Haringey GPs via Single Point of Access at UCLH Hospital.
Referral queries (for GPs only): uclh.postcovidenquiries@nhs.net
How to contact us
Community Post Covid and Post Infection Conditions Service
Crouch End Health Centre, 45 Middle Lane, London, N8 8PH
Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Telephone: 020 3074 2426
Email: whh-tr.postcovidservice@nhs.net