After the first three post-COVID centers of expertise were launched last year in Maastricht UMC+, Amsterdam UMC and Erasmus MC, the other four UMCs will also open a post-COVID center of expertise for adults in the short term. The intended start dates are June 1 for the LUMC, July 1 for the UMCG and from September 1 the Radboudumc and UMC Utrecht will follow. Since February 2025, care for children with post-COVID has been available in Amsterdam UMC, Maastricht UMC+ and UMC Utrecht.
Registration is only possible via your own GP. Based on established criteria, it is assessed whether a patient is eligible.
Criteria for adults:
· The complaints are the result of a corona infection.
· There have been complaints consistent with post-COVID for at least a year.
· There is a reduction in functioning of at least 25% (in the GP's registration system this corresponds to a score of 60 or lower on the Bell CFIDS disability scale).
· The post-COVID complaints must have arisen from a corona infection and not be complaints of an illness that already existed before the corona infection.
· A treatment program (physiotherapy or occupational therapy) has already been completed, or this was not possible due to the severity of the complaints.
Criteria for children:
· The complaints are the result of a corona infection.
· There have been complaints consistent with post-COVID for at least six months.
· There is a decrease in functioning.
· The post-COVID complaints must have arisen from a corona infection and not be complaints of an illness that already existed before the corona infection.
· A treatment program (physiotherapy or occupational therapy) has already been completed, or this was not possible due to the severity of the complaints.
Referral letter required
After registration, the patient is placed on a central registration list, from which a weighted random selection is made. If a patient is selected to come to an expertise centre, the expertise centre from the nearest region sends a message to the GP (via Zorgdomein). This message asks for the referral letter with medical content information. Not all requests for a referral letter are processed immediately. As a result, expertise centres now often contact the GP practice by telephone to actively request the referral letter. However, this is very labour-intensive, and not all practices are reached, with the result that not all selected patients can actually be invited to the expertise centre. Solutions are being sought to improve this process.
Helpdesk
The centers of expertise have set up a joint helpdesk for patients and professionals. On the website of the NFU and the UMCs you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the post-COVID centers of expertise. Do you have any questions after that? Please contact us via: helpdesk@postcovidexpertisecentra.nl
Letter for healthcare professionals
The post-COVID centers of expertise have prepared an information letter containing important information about post-COVID for healthcare professionals. The letter aims to inform healthcare providers about post-COVID, the centers of expertise, the most common complaints, and the treatments currently being used. The letter is being shared with professionals through various channels and can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. Patients can also take the letter with them to their healthcare provider.
C-support hopes that as many patients as possible with post-COVID can be helped in the short term and continues to provide advice and support to patients in the areas of biomedical, psychosocial and work and income, regardless of the duration of their illness and the severity of their complaints.
