Hospitals & services

Long Covid and Persistent Physical Symptoms Service

We are changing the Long Covid Rehabilitation Hub into the Long Covid and Persistent Physical Symptom Service (LCaPPSS).  This means we can support people with Long Covid as well as those experiencing ongoing and persistent symptoms from other causes.   

If you previously accessed the Long Covid Rehabilitation Hub, you will continue to receive support as part of this new service. Please note that this website is under development.

Long Covid and Persistent Physical Symptom Service wins Move More Clinical Service of the Year!

Most illnesses, injuries and infections resolve within a few weeks. However, some people experience persistent physical symptoms that continue for several months or longer. These may develop following an injury, an illness such as COVID-19, or can sometimes occur without a clear medical cause or trigger. 

Your GP may refer you to this service if: 

  • Your symptoms have lasted (or are expected to last) 3–6 months or longer 
  • Investigations have been completed and no further medical treatment is required or advised 
  • Your symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life, work, or wellbeing 
  • You would like support to better understand and manage your symptoms 
  • Symptoms are often linked to a combination of physical, psychological, and social factors, and can improve with the right support. 

Common symptoms include: 

  • Fatigue 
  • Brain fog (difficulties with thinking, memory, concentration, planning) 
  • Pain (muscle, joint, or widespread) 
  • Breathlessness 
  • Dizziness 
  • Heart palpitations 
  • Sleep difficulties 
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, diarrhoea) 
  • Headaches 
  • Voice or swallowing difficulties 
  • Low mood, anxiety or stress 

Long Covid remains an important part of this service. If you have ongoing symptoms following COVID-19, you will continue to receive specialist support.

The Long Covid and Persistent Physical Symptom Service (LCaPPSS) supports adults who are living with ongoing physical symptoms that impact their daily functioning and quality of life. 

We are a multidisciplinary, therapy-led team including: 

  • Psychology 
  • Occupational Therapists 
  • Physiotherapists 
  • Speech and Language Therapist 
  • Therapy Support Workers 
  • Administration staff 
  • Rehab Consultant 

We work together to provide holistic, personalised care, helping you to understand your symptoms and build skills to manage them effectively. 

We will work with you to:  

  • Help you understand what is happening in your body 
  • Support you to develop effective self-management strategies 
  • Improve your ability to participate in meaningful activities 
  • Support your physical and emotional wellbeing 
  • Help you return to or remain in work, education, and daily life
  • You will attend a comprehensive assessment to decide if this is the right service for you 
  • If appropriate, together, we will develop a personalised management plan

You may be offered: 

  • Group-based self-management programmes 
  • Individual self management support sessions (online, in person, or home visit where appropriate) 
  • Ongoing support to implement strategies (up to 5 appointments) 
  • Referral or signposting to other services if needed 

We look at how your body, mind and daily life all work together, so we can support you in a holistic way.

We offer a range of programmes tailored to your needs:

Group programmes 

  • Fatigue management 
  • Pain management 
  • Breathlessness and breathing retraining 
  • Brain fog and cognitive strategies 
  • Stress and emotional regulation 
  • Rest and Reset  
  • Managing Recovery at Work peer support 
  • Supervised, supported exercise 

Individual support 

  • Psychological therapies  
  • Physiotherapy rehabilitation including supported exercise and breathing pattern retraining  
  • Occupational Therapy support including fatigue and pain management 
  • Speech and Language Therapy support 

Additional support 

  • Advice and letters for employers 
  • Help with return to work plans 
  • Self-management resources and digital tools 

Appointments may be: 

  • By Telephone 
  • Online  
  • Face-to-face at clinics 
  • Home visits where clinically indicated 
  • Adults aged 18+ 
  • Registered with a Sheffield GP 
  • Experiencing Long Covid and/or 2 or more persistent physical symptoms that are impacting on daily function 

Referrals must be made by a GP or consultant who will carry out any investigations relevant to your symptoms. 

If you have been previously accessed support from the service an you feel your rehabilitation needs have changed, you can contact us directly to discuss how we can further support you.

To contact the service please leave a voicemail message on 01143078553 and we will get back to you in 5 working days or email sth.lcappss@nhs.net 

“Every time I had contact with someone from the service I felt that they were up to date with my health and actively thinking of new ways to support me. The long term support and various treatment programmes not only improved my physical health; gave me back the ability to breath and talk after walking so I could stay in my job while looking at alternatives, but also supported me mentally so giving me the confidence to move on. Tools I acquired during different sessions are still used daily. This service is an example of how the NHS should be run with experienced professionals and a caring, problem solving approach. Although it may cost in the short term, long term it kept me in work and so still contributing to the economy. I can't thank the team too much and only wish this wrap around approach was available for all long term chronic conditions nationwide.” 

“The whole team have been fantastic. They are so friendly, helpful and supportive. I have really benefited from all the sessions I have had with the Long Covid Rehabilitation Hub and I would strongly recommend them to anyone who needs this service. Words cannot express how much I appreciate all their help, both from all the members of the Physio Team and the one to one support I have received from my Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist. Simply fabulous.” 

“Fantastic service with helpful, knowledgeable and supportive professionals. I could not have recovered without them!” 

We are a learning and evolving service, using the latest research to shape our care. We actively seek feedback to improve what we offer. 

We can provide: 

  • Flexible appointment formats 
  • Interpreters and accessibility support 
  • IT guidance for online sessions 

For concerns or further support, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): 

Phone: 0114 271 2400 

Email: sth.pals@nhs.net 

You can give us feedback by contacting the Patient Advice and Liaison Service via phone 0114 271 2400, email sth.pals@nhs.net or completing one of our patient experience surveys: Click here  

(This website is currently in development, resources will be updated soon) 

Topics: 

Fatigue

Pain

Mood and wellbeing

Sleep

Breathing and voice 

Dizziness 

Work and vocational support 

Exercise and activity 

Rest and reset

For referral information, please see: Long COVID and Persistent Physical Symptom Service – GP Referral Guidance

This service is available at the following Hospitals:

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