Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, pictured, wrote to NHS Dumfries and Galloway urging it to consider establishing such a facility in the region.
Now senior officials at the local health board have confirmed that it is considering such a move in the near future as the number of cases around Scotland continue to rise.
The news has been warmly welcomed by the Scottish Conservative MSP, who praised the forward thinking of the health board bosses in attempting to tackle the problem.
He said: “The idea is to bring together multi-disciplinary teams including specialists in pulmonary rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychology and chronic fatigue working alongside doctors, pharmacists and nurses.
“The impact that ‘Long Covid’ can have on people can be quite devastating and everything possible must be done to help them receive the best of treatment as quickly as possible.
“I am absolutely delighted that the local health board is thinking along the same lines and I am sure it will be of enormous benefit to the people in Dumfries and Galloway.”
In its response, the health board revealed it had already considered the impact of long-term Covid-19 and has developed a team of AHPs – occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pulmonary rehab – with input from a psychologist that sits in the community.
A spokesperson said: “There is also advice on the website. At present this is not a ‘clinic’ as such, but we are having ongoing discussions about how to develop this service. It is likely that it will evolve over time.”
