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On 6 June 2022 the Premier announced that the Government will invest $400,000 to establish a state-wide navigation and referral service specialising in Post COVID-19 Syndrome.
The Department of Health is pleased to announce that the Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service launched on 19 September 2022.
Post COVID-19 Syndrome
Most people who have COVID-19 will experience mild illness and symptoms and will recover within a few weeks. However, some people may experience persistent symptoms for weeks or months after their acute infection.
Post COVID-19 is a syndrome that may cause a wide variety of symptoms that continue for 12 weeks or longer in a patient who has a history of confirmed or probable COVID-19. The World Health Organisation provides a clinical case definition of Post COVID-19 Syndrome.
Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service
The Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service has been established to assist patients to self-manage their symptoms through providing resources and tools, with referral into Allied Health if appropriate.
The service will act as a central point of contact for Tasmanian health care providers to refer people diagnosed with Post COVID-19 Syndrome to enable comprehensive and coordinated patient care. It will enable equitable access to all eligible individuals across Tasmania.
All patients will be assessed by their GP or Health Professional in the first instance who may then refer them to the Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service.
It is important that patients see their GP or Health Professional in the first instance for two reasons: it is critical that other illnesses are excluded; and GPs can determine if their patients require or would benefit from referral to the service.
GPs will continue to be the primary (or central) provider and manage referrals or new symptoms.
For more information about Post COVID-19 Syndrome including assessment, visit Tasmania HealthPathways.
To refer patients into the service, complete the referral form available on Tasmania HealthPathways and send to [email protected] or via fax: 03 6173 0842
Inclusion Criteria:
- Tasmanian 16 years or older
- Patient with confirmed diagnosis of Post COVID-19 Syndrome (three months from onset of COVID-19 with symptoms for at least two months)
- Patient is willing to participate in assessment and offered program support
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient who is COVID-19 positive with acute symptoms
- Patient with acute symptoms indicating need for emergency assessment
- Referral for other pre-existing chronic conditions not related to COVID-19
Other information:
- Referrals are only accepted from Health Professionals.
- Referrals will be assessed and the patient contacted within one week.
- The Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service will provide a consult letter to GPs via HCS after their initial appointment with each patient to advise assessment and plan.
- The Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service operates Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pm. Health Professionals can contact the Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigator on 1800 973 363.
- All other specialist medical referrals are to continue to be managed via GPs or usual Health Professional
- The Post COVID-19 Syndrome Navigation Service is not an emergency or urgent care service. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call Triple Zero (000) or go to the emergency department immediately.
More information
- More information about Post COVID-19 Navigation Service
- Information on Post COVID-19 Syndrome on Tasmania HealthPathways
- RACGP Caring for patients with Post COVID-19 Syndrome
- WHO Definition of Post COVID-19 Syndrome
If you have any questions about this alert, please contact the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at [email protected] or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Dale Webster
Deputy Secretary
Commander, COVID 19 Emergency Coordination Centre