Bringing together NHS services for patients with Long Covid and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) could potentially improve care, according to a new report. It found that streamlining referral processes could increase capacity by 18%.
The evaluation was carried out by Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley for the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).
Paul Swan, Long Term Conditions (Oxfordshire) Lead, BOB ICB, said: “The Long Covid and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome integrated care model design and evaluation provide key insights and recommendations to progress service integration which has the potential to reduce disparities and improve patient care, workforce sustainability and system efficiency.
“We value the comprehensive coordination, analysis and evaluation that Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley provided as our system partners.”
Long Covid and ME/CFS are post-viral conditions with similarities in symptoms and management. However, patient experience varies significantly between these pathways. Long Covid services, based on new care models and enabled through ring-fenced NHS funding, were rapidly introduced in 2020. By contrast, established ME/CFS pathways are characterised by long waiting times, multiple referrals and fragmented care.
The evaluation included detailed analysis and feedback from patients and staff. It found that bringing the services together could lead to better patient experience, as well as improvements in workforce capacity, resilience and experience. Predictive modelling also identified system-wide cost-saving and productivity benefits as a result of streamlining referral processes and reducing service duplication.
Initial steps to integrate these services have yielded positive outcomes. Long-term success relies on continued evaluation, strategic planning, sustainable investment and commitment to these recommendations:
- Establish a single point of referral
- Enhance access to MDT and medical support
- Align assessment and treatment timelines
- Ensure sustainable workforce and funding plans
- Expand and standardise workforce training
- Improve GP education and referral awareness
- Address health inequalities
- Enhance patient communication and service clarity
- Standardise data collection and monitoring
Read more about our evaluation of an integrated model for Long Covid and ME/CFS services