In AHPAs submission to the House of Representatives Committee inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections we argued that providers of allied health care are important for the delivery of the multi-disciplinary care identified as best practice for managing the impacts of Long COVID on people’s lives.
Allied health care can result in improved individual wellbeing as well as improved community productivity by addressing the needs of Australians affected by the symptoms of Post-Acute COVID Syndromes. We also identified that poor management of long COVID in the Australian population could cost the economy up to $47 billion per year.
Our submission also argued that access to adequate multi-disciplinary care requires addressing structural impediments in our health system that currently hinder access to co-ordinated, multidisciplinary primary care. Without better integration of care services, there remain real risks that Australians will not be able to access the services needed to manage Long COVID.
Our submission also reported the experience of allied health services providers supporting patients with Long COVID and we thank allied health professional who contributed their time to provide insight into their experiences.