Service overview
Our service, which is known as Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS) Rehab, delivers evidence-based support to help you manage and improve the symptoms of long COVID. We are a multidisciplinary team that includes advanced physiotherapy practitioners, specialist occupational therapists, and psychological therapists.
Long COVID, also known as post COVID-19 syndrome, is a condition where you experience symptoms more than 12 weeks after catching COVID-19.
Accessing our service
We see adults and children aged over 12 who are registered with a GP in Wokingham, Reading, or West Berkshire and who have been assessed by the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) BLIS Assessment Service.
Your GP can refer you to the assessment service. Before they do this, they may need to run a few tests, including blood tests and a chest x-ray, if you’re continuing to experience respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath.
Once we have received your referral from the RBH, we’ll contact you by telephone or letter to book your appointment.
If you’ve been seen by us before, your GP may refer you directly to us, but we may send you for further assessment at the RBH depending on the new information we receive about your condition.
Preparing for an assessment
Appointments may be offered by telephone, video call, or in person. Please carefully check your appointment type, location, and time.
Our long COVID group sessions are delivered online, usually via Microsoft Teams. We’ll give you full details of how to access this. The group programme is six weeks long, with weekly 90-minute sessions.
Individual appointments are around 45 minutes long, but we can change this, depending on your needs.
At your first appointment, we will talk with you about your symptoms and concerns, and how these affect your daily life.
Managing your health
What is Long Covid?
You can learn about Long Covid and how our service can you support you by visiting our Long Covid page.
Fatigue
We have created a video on how to manage fatigue caused by Long Covid created by our clinicians.
Pacing
Pacing is the balance between rest and activities. This video describes pacing, provides tips on how to pace when living with an energy-limiting condition, and identifies some of the common barriers people may encounter when trying to successfully pace.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has created a guide on how to manage energy levels when recovering from illness or managing long-term health conditions. Visit their website to read the guide.
Brain Fog
We have created a video on how to manage brain fog caused by Long Covid created by our clinicians.
Breathlessness
The University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has created video about breathlessness in Long covid and talks you through a breathing control exercise to support you.
Loss or change in smell/taste
Life kitchen is a cookbook to support those who are experiencing a change or loss of taste and smell
SmellTaste provides information and support for those experiencing a loss or change in smell.
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) have created a handbook with information and support for voice and throat changes, swallowing and speech difficulties and acid reflux. This was developed by speech and language therapists from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Sleep difficulties
NHS Every Mind Matters provides information on sleep and sleep difficulties.
Contextual consulting shares how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy which is an psychological therapy approach can help with improving sleep difficulties. Visit their website to learn more.
Sleep foundation have useful tips on how to create a new bedtime routine to help improve your sleep. Visit their website to learn more.
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS)
Some Long Covid patients may also experience Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS). If this is something you would like to learn more about or if this is something you are experiencing, visit the PoTS website.
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
Finchampstead Clinic
Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS)
Contact number: 0118 904 6141 (Available 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: BLISrehab@berkshire.nhs.uk
Post Address: RG40 3RG
Location details57-59 Bath Road, Reading
Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS)
Post Address: RG30 2BA
Location detailsWokingham Hospital
Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS)
Post Address: RG41 2RE
Location details3 Adlam Villas, Newbury
Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS)
Post Address: RG14 7HX
Location detailsErlegh House, Reading
Berkshire Long COVID Integrated Service (BLIS)
Post Address: RG6 6BZ
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
What treatments for Long Covid do BLIS-Rehab offer?
BLIS-Rehab provide evidence-based symptom management strategies to support people experiencing symptoms of Long Covid.
We offer individual physiotherapy, psychological therapy and occupational therapy appointments and a virtual group programme facilitated by our experienced and knowledgeable therapist.
We offer advice and guidance in a number of areas;
- Understanding the symptoms you are experiencing, including their impact on mood and feelings
- Guidance on return to work and communication with employers
- Fatigue management
- Advice on return to sporting activities and deconditioning
- Pain management strategies
- Advice on cognitive strategies
- Guidance of how to manage and improve breathlessness
- Online resources to work through independently
- Invitation to tailor made recordings aimed at address vocational and other issues
What should I expect during my 1st appointment?
Please carefully check your appointment type as appointments may be offered by telephone, video call, or in person. Appointments typically last around 45 minutes but this can be adjusted depending on your needs.
We will typically talk with your about your symptoms and concerns, and how these affect your daily life. Depending on your symptoms further assessment may include observation or examination such as your breathing. Any examination will be fully explained and adapted to ensure your comfort throughout and following the appointment. You may be requested to complete symptom specific questionnaires.
A treatment plan will be agreed based on latest research evidence and national guidelines which fully take into account your preferences and goals.
My appointment is with an Occupational Therapist.
Occupational therapists assess and support those living with any Long COVID symptoms which may be affecting their daily function, work or study.
Occupational therapy might be particularly helpful in advising and supporting you and your employers in your workplace, including consideration reasonable adjustments to allow you to remain in work/study or for a successful return to work/study
My appointment is with a BLIS Psychologist.
The BLIS Psychology team is here to support you to live well with Long Covid. We understand that living with symptoms of Long COVID can be challenging and affect our mental health and wellbeing. Following a full assessment the BLIS-Rehab psychology team can offer up to 6 treatment sessions focused on your needs and goals. We also offer some group programmes.
The sessions may offer support for any COVID-related grief, trauma or distress, or symptoms of depression or anxiety related to Long Covid. Sessions can be used to explore how to adapt to your current circumstances and explore your expectations for the future.
My appointment is with an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner (APP). What is this?
Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioners (APP) are state registered healthcare professionals highly experienced and skilled specialists with advanced qualifications in their specific area of practice.
They work as part of a wider healthcare team. IPASS APPs are trained to diagnose, investigate, and treat spinal and pain conditions. Their primary goal is to assess and manage complex clinical care and deliver high quality care to patients
What happens at the end of my treatment with BLIS-Rehab?
When you have completed your treatment plan with BLIS-Rehab you will receive a letter summarising the treatment received and any further management recommendations and advice. A copy of this letter is routinely sent to your GP.
I have previously been seen by BLIS-Rehab and discharged but my symptoms have returned or worsened. Can I be seen again?
Once you have been discharged by BLIS-Rehab we will require another referral from your GP Surgery. This is to ensure that we have the most up to date medical information to allow safe and effective care to be provided.
Your GP may refer you directly to BLIS-Rehab Service rather than via the BLIS-Assessment Service as per your initial referral.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member/carer or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available to you from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support whenever you visit or contact us.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- telephone interpreting
- video remote interpreting (VRI)
- face‑to‑face interpreting
- written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to receive information in a format that meets their needs. Under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS)—a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers—we must ensure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand the information we provide and communicate effectively with us.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- large print
- braille
- audio
- easy Read
- text message
- face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes. You are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
Treating our team with respect.
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This includes contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
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Long Covid Physio
For information and videos explaining Long COVID symptoms and self-management strategies. Resources are available in different languages.
Long Covid Support
Long Covid Support offer a range of online groups. This includes groups to share information about managing Long COVID, an online Long COVID choir, and a group to share information about getting involved in Long COVID research.
Long Covid Kids
For information and advice for supporting children and young people with Long COVID.
NHS - Every Mind Matters
For general advice and recommendations about how to look after your mental wellbeing, and how to recognise and manage mental health difficulties.
Frantic World
For Information about what mindfulness is and how it can be helpful. They also provide free audio mindfulness exercises.
Act Mindfully
For free audio mindfulness exercises and worksheets.
Breathworks
For mindfulness exercises and a free mindfulness course for Long COVID. Founded by Vidyamala Burch based on her own experiencing of living with chronic pain and partial paraplegia.
The Reality Slap (book/audiobook) by Russ Harris
For an introduction to a psychological therapy approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how it can help when life throws unexpected challenges our way. (You can also find the first two chapters free online when searching for the book on Google.)