EMHS Post COVID-19 Clinic

Our Post Covid-19 Clinic operates from Bentley Health Service to treat people who are experiencing non-urgent significant symptoms.

You will be seen by an Advanced Scope Physiotherapist.

GPs can refer for patients meeting the referral criteria below to the EMHS Post-COVID Clinic via the Central Referral Service (CRS).

Suitable patients referred to subspeciality clinics following earlier advice are being diverted to the Post-COVID Clinic, so these do not need to be re-referred.

Referral Criteria

To be eligible for review by the Clinic, patients referred will need to be:

  • aged over 16
  • residing within the EMHS metropolitan catchment
  • Kimberley, Pilbara and Wheatbelt patients unable to be managed locally (according to WACHS Link pathways)
  • still having symptoms at least 12 weeks from the date of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (confirmed by positive RAT or PCR)
  • in the absence of a positive test, referrals will be accepted for patients with ongoing symptoms following an illness consistent with COVID-19 and for which other causes have been excluded  
  • be experiencing ongoing non-urgent significant symptoms and objective physical findings without other obvious cause on the GP screen below, or cognitive/psychological concerns that are failing to resolve with primary care and that the GP feels warrant further review, and,
  • where the GP screen does not detect conditions more suitable for direct referral for sub-specialty medical review or community rehabilitation.

Patients presenting to their GP with post-COVID-19 concerns should be screened, as appropriate, with:

1. Routine clinical assessment that considers physical, psychological and social domains

2. Blood tests (FBC, CRP, ESR, ferritin, D-dimer, thyroid, kidney and liver function tests, Vitamin B12, IgM + IgG, HbA1c, immunoglobulins), beta HCG if appropriate. In the absence of a positive RAT or PCR test, EBV and CMV results are preferred.

3. Mental health screening including specific screening for suicidal ideation:

  • if mental health issues are identified (new or pre-existing), the GP may consider a Mental Health Care Plan and/or referral to a Mental Health Service, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
  • if assessed by a mental health professional, their report and plan to be included in the referral

4. If significant shortness of breath and/or decreased exercise tolerance without other known cause, include the results of:

  • oximetry (at rest and on exertion) and spirometry
  • Chest x-ray (PA and lateral); and recent investigations (transthoracic echocardiogram and CT thorax) to rule out cardiac failure or pulmonary disease
  • if assessed by a respiratory physician, their report and plan

5. If significant concerns of chest pain, palpitations and/or syncope, include the results of:

    cardiac investigations such as Holter monitor, ECG, stress test, coronary angiogram, echocardiogram, troponin (if done), BNP (if done)
  • if assessed by a Cardiologist, their report and plan

6. For patients with suspected Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), the following investigations should be considered prior to referral:

  • Blood tests (FBP, renal and kidney function, CRP, vitamin B12, folate, ferritin, thyroid function, glucose, calcium, and morning cortisol)
  • Chest x ray and ECG
  • 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring

7. If significant cognitive symptoms including “brain fog” or neurological signs and symptoms without other known cause, the referral should include the results of:

  • Cognitive screen (MMSE or AMTS) if presenting with confusion or cognitive concerns

  • Recent clinically appropriate investigations (e.g., CT Brain, MRI)

  • iReport and plan from a neurologist or geriatrician, if available

8. If patients are already connected with medical or mental health services in the community prior to referral, the outcome of specialist review and related investigations should be included.

 

If any of these tests are indicated, but not able to be completed (e.g., rural/regional patients) the reasons should be specified in the referral.

The Post COVID-19 Clinic offers further assessment, triage and management/advice for patients with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms beyond 12 weeks without evidence of organ-specific pathology as identified above.

Referral by the GP via Central Referral Service for sub-specialty medical review or to community rehabilitation can occur as clinically appropriate and according to current pathways.


 

Exclusion Criteria

  1. All patients with ‘red flag’ symptoms:
    • severe, new onset, or worsening breathlessness or hypoxia
    • syncope
    • unexplained chest pain, palpitations or arrhythmias
    • new delirium, or focal neurological signs or symptoms

      These patients will require urgent assessment to exclude a serious complication of COVID-19, or an alternative diagnosis.

      These patients should self-refer to ED, or GP refers for urgent assessment, usually via the Emergency Department, or a site based urgent access pathway, to exclude a serious complication of COVID-19, or alternative diagnosis.

  2. Patients whose symptoms are found or suspected on history, examination and/or investigation to have another cause requiring sub-specialty medical review.
  3. Patients residing outside of EMHS metropolitan or rural catchment.
  4. Rural patients who are able to be managed locally, (according to current WACHS Link pathways).
  5. Patients aged 16 years or younger.

The uses a model of care led by an Advanced Scope Physiotherapist for initial assessment and triage of patients, preferencing virtual assessment and follow-up consultation where possible.

Assessment outcomes and management plans will be communicated to the patient’s GP.

Where indicated, patients will be referred on to the community or other EMHS services.

Telephone support for GP queries will also be available.

Phone number:  0481 483 611.

GPs wishing to discuss Post COVID referrals, investigations or management can contact the Advanced Scope Physiotherapist on this number.

As this clinic operates part-time, please leave a voicemail.

The Physiotherapist will return GP calls as soon as possible.

Useful resources for GPs include:

 

 

Last Updated: 30/04/2026