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"Long Covid Clinic"

About: Community Services / Perth and Kinross Long COVID service

(as the patient),

Perth and KInross long covid clinic contacted me shortly after my GP referred me. Being helped after years of trying to manage my condition myself has transformed my life. Gail is exceptionally sensitive, skilled, well-informed, intelligent and supportive in her approach. While making it clear that I am now far more ill than I had realised (and than I probably was up to about 10 months ago--I was diagnosed with post-viral fatigue syndrome over a decade ago) she has helped me to see connections that I had not made for myself, directed me towards great information resources, and contacted social services and related services on my behalf, all the while providing reassurance that I am mainly doing what I can on what will be a very long road to recovery. She's done all this with gentle humour, and great insight. She answers questions thoroughly in person and by email, and has always been there to support me when I've been confused about facts, or when it feels like nothing I do works. She sees the whole person, and their life, in context. I am so immensely grateful both that she is there for me, and that she is afforded the considerable time by the health service to give such personalised care. I could not have accepted and adapted to my new, very constrained lifestyle, without her practical and emotional support. And that is despite already doing quite a lot of what is needed. Thank you!

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Responses

Response from Gail Patel, Team lead physiotherapist, Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service, NHS Tayside 3 days ago
Gail Patel
Team lead physiotherapist, Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service,
NHS Tayside

I'm responsible for providing initial assessment for individuals accessing the Perth and Kinross Long COVID Service. This may include interventions or onward referral to other Allied Health Professionals or third sector organisations to support people to manage their symptoms and recovery.

Submitted on 24/07/2025 at 19:22
Published on Care Opinion on 25/07/2025 at 08:58


picture of Gail Patel

Dear Metta77,

Thank you so much for using your very precious energy to share your story and we appreciate you showing your gratitude for the care we have provided. I feel very privileged to have shared a small but positive part in your recovery journey. As a clinician working with people with complex conditions, delivering holistic care is important to me, so I am pleased you feel we have been able to do this for you, and that you feel you have received care that has been tailored to your needs.

Managing fatigue is never simple as it is almost always multi-faceted so it can often feel confusing as there isn't a single treatment "recipe" to follow and everyone responds differently. I hope that by understanding what drives an individual and what matters to them can help us work more collaboratively. This enables us to personalise care and empower people in the context of their individual situation to make the changes needed to manage symptoms and improve health where possible.

As you’ve already discovered, living with an energy-limiting condition tests your patience, resilience and resourcefulness to the limits so I’m glad you feel we have helped you to adapt to these challenges. Wishing you all the best on your continued journey to better health.

Gail Patel

Highly Specialist Physiotherapist

Perth and Kinross Long COVID Support.

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