By: Shazia Nazir The Milton Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative
This week, Halton Healthcare launched a new outpatient clinic to assist individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 infection but continue to suffer from ongoing symptoms of the virus.
The new Post COVID-19 Syndrome Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic is located at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). It’s based on a multidisciplinary approach to care that utilizes Neuro Rehabilitation trained Physiotherapists (PT), Occupational Therapists (OT) and Speech Language Pathologists (SLP).
“Recent international data shows approximately 10% of COVID-19 patients experience debilitating symptoms, which may last for many months,” according to Dr. Greg Thomson, Medical Director Rehab, Geriatrics, Transitions & Integrated Care at Halton Healthcare.
Thomson highlighted that these chronic symptoms fall under the definition of Post COVID-19 Syndrome. “We felt that there was an urgent need for the identification and treatment of these individuals to reduce the risk of permanent deficit,” he added.
The program’s criteria include:
- Being 18 years of age or older
- At the recovering phase of their illness,
- Patients must be able to tolerate treatment and
- Have had a COVID-19 diagnosis within the past year.
For more information on the program, visit their website
