Services A to Z

Service overview

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises:  

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work  
   

Eligibility for service/referral criteria 

 Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who:  

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the East Renfrewshire area  
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years)  

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer  

 The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

Who to contact

• Address: East Renfrewshire Integrated Learning Disability Team, Barrhead Health Centre,  213 Main St,  Barrhead,  G78 1SW  
• Contact telephone: 0141 800 7814 

Service Overview  

We are based within East Renfrewshire HSCP and have two teams which cover across Eastwood and Barrhead localities. Speech and Language Therapists working in other areas of Greater Glasgow and Clyde provide services for adults in East Renfrewshire requiring input. 

Eligibility for service / referral criteria  

We see adults over the age of 16 who are:  

• At risk of emergency admission due to a decline in mobility and function  
• Experiencing issues with mobility, falls, and activities of daily living  
• Requiring advice and support to manage the effects of a long term/ progressive condition and require rehabilitation to maximise their independence  
• Recently discharged from hospital with ongoing rehabilitation and reablement goals  
• Who are temporarily or longer term housebound. 

How to refer  

The Community Rehabilitation Service operates an open referral system. This facilitates self/carer referral and referral from GPs, hospital staff, health care professionals, Social Work Services, housing, other community organisations, with the agreement of the individual.  

For those living in Barrhead, Neilston or Uplawmoor, referrals can be directed to Renfrewshire Rehabilitation and Enablement Service (RES) via ASeRT: 0300 300 1380.  

How to contact  

For any further information, contact can be made with the Initial Contact Team on 0141 800 7850 which is the single point of access for any health, wellbeing and/ or social work queries in East Renfrewshire.  

Service overview

We are a small, specialist team of Speech and Language Therapists who provide communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing input for those within non-NHS nursing, residential and hospice facilities in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire (Clydebank area only).   

Eligibility for service/referral criteria   

Anyone residing within these facilities can access the Care Home and Hospice SLT service – there is no age restriction.

How to refer  

We accept referrals from care staff, family, health professionals or via self-referral. Please complete the referral form below and submit this in a word or PDF format attachment to:  

ggc.sltcarehome.referrals@nhs.scot

Please note, AHPs and GPs can access our service via SCI Gateway.

Referrals are only accepted via email, however if you would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us on 0141 232 9222.

Who to contact  

We are a city wide service but are based in Partick.

Care Home and Hospice Team  
Speech and Language Therapy Department  
Community Centre for Health  
547 Dumbarton Road  
Partick   
G116HU  

0141 232 9222

Service overview

A key part of Inverclyde’s Neuro-Rehabilitation Service. We offer a seamless service to Adults with complex needs mainly related to neurological conditions. We work closely with Acute, HSCP colleagues and third sector agencies. NHSGGC’s Neuro-Rehabilitation Service provides specialist Neurological care to individuals with a diverse range of Neurological conditions.

This service is delivered across two units providing inpatient care at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow and a seamless care model from hospital to community at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock.

Speech and language therapy cover the inpatient unit whilst also delivering care to individuals with a Neurological diagnosis living in the Inverclyde HSCP in a range of community settings. A strong focus is placed on rehabilitation, enablement and long term self-management following individuals’ seamless journey through episodes of care.  

 Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

People who:

• have a neurological condition and their carers 
• are living within the Inverclyde HSCP.  
• are aged between 16 to 64 years old.   
• are registered with a GP 

We mainly support individuals with neurological conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, Motor Neuron Disease etc, but this is not exclusive. We support people who have complex needs and who may require input from two or more members of the team e.g physiotherapy, dietetics, and speech and language therapy. This service also provides in-patient rehabilitation in a 4 bedded rehabilitation ward in Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock.   

How to refer:   

• Self-referral by phone by calling  01475 505001  
• Relative/carer by telephone 01475 505001 with the person’s permission  
• For professional staff: Via a Single Point of Access referral form (insert link) i.e. GP. Consultant. Social worker. Clinical Nurse Specialists, 3^rd Sector agencies., other Health or Social Care Professionals   
• Referrers can phone to discuss referrals with the team lead prior to referral  

Referrals are processed through: Inverclyde Single Point of Access Form. 

This should be completed and submitted electronically to icrs@incerclyde.gov.uk or sent via post to :  

SPOA
10-16 Gibshill Road   
Greenock   
PA152UP   

Contact Telephone: 01745 714350  

 How to contact us

• Address: Speech and Language Therapy, Inverclyde Neuro-Rehabilitation Service, Larkfield Unit, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Larkfield Road, Greenock, PA16 0XN   
• Telephone: 01475 505001  
• Email:  icrs@incerclyde.gov.uk  

Service overview  

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises:    

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work  

Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who:

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the Inverclyde area  
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years)  

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer  

The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

Who to contact  

• Contact Telephone: 01475 715295  
• Email: CLDT@inverclyde.gov.uk

Service Overview   

The speech and language therapy service works within the community rehabilitation and enablement team, based at Inverclyde Centre for Independent Living. We work with adults in their own homes and care homes.   

Eligibility for service/referral criteria   

We accept referrals for adults over the age of 65 years who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties and who are housebound or in a local care home.   

How to refer   

The team can be contacted to discuss a referral. Please see the “who to contact” tab for contact information.    

Who to contact   

Rehabilitation and Enablement Team, Inverclyde Centre for Independent Living, Greenock  

Contact telephone: 01475 714350  

icrs@inverclyde.gov.uk  

Service Overview 

This service works across all the Mental Health wards on the Inverclyde Royal Hospital Site-  

The Langhill Unit – ICPU and AAU  

Larkfield Unit – Ward 4  

Orchard View – Oak Ward and Willow Ward  

Routine referrals are generally seen within 10 working days.  

We aim to see urgent referrals within 2 working days.  

On receipt of the referral an SLT will contact the ward by telephone to gather further information and offer initial advice. Where direct input is felt to be appropriate an indication of timing for assessment will be provided.  

How to refer 

For Patients : please speak to a member of the ward team to discuss referral to SLT should you have any concerns regarding your communication or swallowing.  

For hospital staff: all SLT referrals should be completed using the SBAR referral form. Scroll along to the SLT tab, complete the form and follow the instructions on the bottom of the form.  

Who to contact 

You can contact SLT at Inverclyde Royal Hospital by phone on 01475 505023 

Service Overview  

The Speech and Language Therapy service works within the community rehabilitation teams across Glasgow City. We work with adults in their own homes. In addition, we work with adults in ‘discharge to assess’ beds in care homes across the city.

Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

We accept referrals for adults under the age of 65 years who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties, and who require multidisciplinary input from two or more specialisms within the team, e.g. Speech and Language Therapy, Dietetics, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy. We also accept referrals for people of all ages with Motor Neurone Disease.   

How to refer  

The team can be contacted to discuss a referral. Please see the “who to contact” tab for contact information.   

Who to contact  

South East and South West Rehabilitation Service   

• Contact Telephone: 0141 232 7174   

• Email Address: ggc.south.rehabilitationteam@nhs.scot
   

North West Glasgow Rehabilitation Team

• Contact Telephone: 0141 451 2684   
• Email Address: ggc.northwest.rehabilitationteam@nhs.scot

North East Glasgow Rehabilitation Service  

• Contact Telephone: 0141 201 5950  
• Email Address: ggc.northeast.rehabservice@nhs.scot

Service overview  

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises:  

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work  

Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who:  

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the Glasgow City area  
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years)  

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer 

The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

Who to contact

North East Learning Disability Services

• Address: North East Learning Disability Services, Petershill Park Business Centre, 30 Adamswell Street, Springburn  , Glasgow  
  G21 4DD
• Contact Telephone: 0141 201 4109    

North West Learning Disability Team  

• Address: North West Learning Disability Team, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, The Glenkirk Centre, 129 Drumchapel Road , Glasgow, G15 6PX  
• Contact Telephone: 0141 232 1340  

South Adult Learning Disabilities Team  

• Address: South Adult Learning Disabilities Team , Castlemilk Social Work Office, 10 Ardencraig Place, Castlemilk, Glasgow, G45 9US  
• Contact Telephone: 0141 276 4900  

Service overview

We are a small, specialist team of Speech and Language Therapists who provide communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing input for those within non-NHS nursing, residential and hospice facilities in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire (Clydebank area only).   

Eligibility for service/referral criteria   

Anyone residing within these facilities can access the Care Home and Hospice SLT service – there is no age restriction.  

How to refer  

We accept referrals from care staff, family, health professionals or via self-referral. Please complete the referral form below and submit this in a word or PDF format attachment to:  

ggc.sltcarehome.referrals@nhs.scot

Please note, AHPs and GPs can access our service via SCI Gateway.

Referrals are only accepted via email, however if you would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us on 0141 232 9222.

Who to contact   

We are a city wide service but are based in Partick.

Care Home and Hospice Team  
Speech and Language Therapy Department  
Community Centre for Health  
547 Dumbarton Road  
Partick   
G116HU  

0141 232 9222

Service overview

This service works across Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Stobhill Hospital and Leverndale Hospital. Routine referrals are generally seen within 10 working days. Should the referral be urgent please indicate or if a discharge date is pending, please indicate on the referral and we will aim to see within 2 working days.   

On receipt of a referral SLT will either attend ward or contact. Where direct input is felt to be appropriate an indication of timing for assessment will be provided.   

How to refer

• For patients:  please speak to a member of the ward team to discuss referral to SLT should you have any concerns regarding your communication or swallowing.  
• For hospital staff: all SLT referrals should be completed on EMIS using the SBAR referral form. Scroll along to the SLT tab, complete the form and follow the instructions on the bottom of the form.  

For staff with no access to EMIS: please send an email to the address below with referral details. 

Who to contact 

• Contact our team by emailing ggc.slt.mentalhealth@nhs.scot
• Contact Telephone: 07940741747

Service Overview

This service works with in-patients in Forensic Mental Health and Forensic Learning Disability wards within Rowanbank clinic (medium security) and Leverndale Hospital (low security). Referrals are accepted via EMIS by staff working in the Forensic Directorate.    

How to contact  

• Contact Telephone: 0141 211 1385 or  0141 232 6400

Service Overview 

 The speech and language therapy service works within the community rehabilitation and enablement teams across greater Glasgow and Clyde including Glasgow city, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire (Clydebank area only) We work with adults in their own homes. In addition, we work with adults in Intermediate Care and in Discharge to Assess facilities in Glasgow City.  

Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

We accept referrals for adults under the age of 65 years who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties and who require multidisciplinary support / support from two or more specialisms within the multidisciplinary team e.g. Speech and Language Therapy, Dietetics, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy 

How to refer  

The team can be contacted to discuss a referral. Please see the “who to contact” tab for contact information.   

Who to contact  

• Contact Telephone: 01389 811760  
• Email Address: wdadult@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Service overview  

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises: 

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work  

Eligibility for service/referral criteria 

Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who: 

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the East Dunbartonshire area  
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years)  

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer  

The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

Who to contact  

• Contact Telephone: 0141 3014 7450
• Email Address: ggc.eastdunbartonshire.learningdisabilitycaseconf@nhs.scot 

Service overview  

We are a small, specialist team of Speech and Language Therapists who provide communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing input for those within non-NHS nursing, residential and hospice facilities in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire (Clydebank area only).   

Eligibility for service/referral criteria   

Anyone residing within these facilities can access the Care Home and Hospice SLT service – there is no age restriction.  

How to refer  

We accept referrals from care staff, family, health professionals or via self-referral. Please complete the referral form below and submit this in a word or PDF format attachment to:  

ggc.sltcarehome.referrals@nhs.scot

Please note, AHPs and GPs can access our service via SCI Gateway.

Referrals are only accepted via email, however if you would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us on 0141 232 9222.

Who to contact   

We are a city wide service but are based in Partick.

Care Home and Hospice Team  
Speech and Language Therapy Department  
Community Centre for Health  
547 Dumbarton Road  
Partick   
G116HU  

0141 232 9222

Service Overview 

The RES team includes Speech and Language Therapists (SLT), who can support patients experiencing communication or swallowing difficulties. These may arise as a result of certain health conditions, such as dementia, MS or stroke.  

Assessment of communication difficulties can be followed by therapy to improve or maintain skills, or support to access Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices.   

Assessment of swallowing difficulties can result in recommendations being made to reduce the risk of food or fluid going down the wrong way. 

Eligibility for service/referral criteria

  To be eligible for the Renfrewshire RES SLT service, individuals must  

• Be aged 16 or over  
• Live in Renfrewshire or have a G78 postcode in East Renfrewshire
• Be housebound, unable to attend outpatient appointments, or reside in a nursing or care home  

How to refer

Anyone can refer a patient – with their consent – to RES SLT; referrals may come from your GP, a family member or carer, another professional who knows you, or you can refer yourself. GPs can refer via SCI Gateway system. All other referrals should be made via the ASeRT service: 0300 300 1380. 

Nursing home and care home staff should utilise the Swallowing Matters resource in the first instance for any concerns regarding eating: 

Who to contact

All referrals must be made via ASeRT/SCI Gateway system, however if you wish to speak to someone about a general enquiry or regarding a patient already open to Speech and Language Therapy, please contact on 0141 2077466.

Service overview  

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises:   

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work

Eligibility for service/referral criteria

Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who:  

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the Renfrewshire area  
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years) 

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer  

The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

How to contact

• Address: Renfrewshire Community Health and Social Work Team, Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre, 10 Ferry Road, Renfrew , PA4 8RU 
• Contact Telephone: 0141 207 7800 

Service Overview 

This service works across Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Stobhill Hospital and Leverndale Hospital. Routine referrals are generally seen within 10 working days. Should the referral be urgent please or if a discharge date is pending, please indicate on the referral form and we will aim to see within 2 working days.    

On receipt of referral a member an SLT will generally contact the ward by telephone to gather further information and may offer initial advice via the telephone. Where direct input is felt to be appropriate an indication of timing for assessment will be provided.    

How to Refer 

• For patients: please speak to a member of the ward team to discuss referral to SLT should you have any concerns regarding your communication or swallowing.   
• For hospital staff: all SLT referrals should be completed on EMIS using the SBAR referral form. Scroll along to the SLT tab, complete the form and follow the instructions on the bottom of the form.   
• For staff with no access to EMIS: please send an email to the address below with referral details.   

 How to contact 

• Contact our team by emailing SLTcarehomementalhealth.referrals@ggc.scot.nhs.uk   
• Contact Telephone: 0141 232 9222  

Service overview  

We are a small, specialist team of Speech and Language Therapists who provide communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing input for those within non-NHS nursing, residential and hospice facilities in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire (Clydebank area only).   

 Eligibility for service/referral criteria   

Anyone residing within these facilities can access the Care Home and Hospice SLT service – there is no age restriction.  

How to refer  

We accept referrals from care staff, family, health professionals or via self-referral. Please complete the referral form below and submit this in a word or PDF format attachment to:  

ggc.sltcarehome.referrals@nhs.scot

Please note, AHPs and GPs can access our service via SCI Gateway.

Referrals are only accepted via email, however if you would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us on 0141 232 9222.

Who to contact

We are a city wide service but are based in Partick.

Care Home and Hospice Team  
Speech and Language Therapy Department  
Community Centre for Health  
547 Dumbarton Road  
Partick   
G116HU  

0141 232 9222

Service overview  

The Learning Disability service aims to provide specialist health and social care, advice and treatment to adults with a learning disability through locally based integrated health and social work teams. This also includes advice and support for families / carers.  

The service supports other health and social care agencies to provide mainstream services to people with learning disabilities that will enable health improvement and reduce barriers when accessing services.  

The service strives to improve both the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities by providing efficient and effective health care based on individual needs.  

The health team comprises:    

• Nursing  
• Occupational Therapy  
• Physiotherapy  
• Psychology  
• Psychiatry  
• Speech and Language Therapy  
• Healthcare support workers  
• Social work  

Eligibility for service/referral criteria  

Learning Disability services may offer a service to individuals who:

• are aged 16 years and over and no longer in full time education  
• live within the West Dunbartonshire 
• are registered with a GP  
• Have diagnosis/evidence of a learning disability ** and   
• have evidence of the onset of impairment within the developmental period (up to the age of 18 years)  

Please note, not all individuals with a learning disability will require a specialist learning disability heath service. Please refer to the guidance document to help you decide whether the individual would benefit from access to a specialist adult learning disability service.

How to refer  

The learning disability services operate an open referral system therefore referrals are considered from all sources. Individuals with a learning disability, their carers, social workers, care staff, day service staff and health care colleagues can make a referral to the service. To discuss a referral, please contact your local learning disability services for advice. Referrals also come via other NHS services such as GP practices and secondary care services.   

How to contact     

• Contact Telephone: 0141 232 2190 

Getting out of breath is normal. It is a natural response when your body needs more oxygen and energy after doing something physical. Some people get out of breath even when they are not being active. They suddenly find it difficult or uncomfortable to breathe and may feel they cannot control their breathing. Breathlessness can be a symptom of many different long-term conditions. In most cases the first point of contact for breathlessness is your GP to assess and investigate the cause and consider a medical approach.

NHS Inform can be helpful if you are unsure if you should contact your GP if you have a cough Cough | NHS Inform or are breathless Shortness of Breath | NHS Inform.

In many cases there is no medical explanation for breathlessness, and all tests are considered normal – this can sometimes be due to a breathing pattern disorder, anxiety, deconditioning or many other explanations.

The following sites offer advice and self-guided exercises to help manage the symptoms of breathlessness.

• Physiotherapy for Breathing Pattern Disorders
• Breathing Easier – NHSGGC
• Breathing Physio
• Scottish Opera Breath Cycle II (Long COVID)
• Calm App

Fatigue can be a debilitating symptom that impacts all aspects of life. Fatigue is more than just being tired after a hard day and is often not relieved by rest. You may struggle with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, housework, cooking or work/education. There are many reasons why you may experience fatigue, such as stress/anxiety, illness, poor nutrition/vitamin deficiencies, poor quality sleep, hormonal changes and in some cases, medication.

Tiredness and fatigue – NHS

The following strategies can help manage your energy and can be personalised to meet your needs.

• Managing Energy – Lift Up Your Everyday – Royal College of Occupational Therapy
• The Scottish Ballet Long COVID programme helps posture, alignment and body confidence and its creative elements address your whole being
• NHS Sitting exercises
• NHS Pilates – a series of introductory Pilates exercises
• Suzy Bolt Long COVID Yoga – videos of meditations, educational sessions and Yoga based gentle exercise

Brain fog is the term coined for those with memory and attention impairments. The following pages can give some helpful tips on how to manage these problems and ways to improve your memory and attention gradually.

• NHS inform
• Long COVID Physio – Cognitive Dysfunction
• Mindfulness Breathing exercise
• Core practices | Right Decisions

Those with long-term Conditions often struggle to stay in or return to work, study or unpaid work. The following webpages offer support and advice about how to plan your return to work, what to do if you have not been treated fairly by your employer and where to turn if you are exiting work or seeking new employment.

• ACAS – free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice
• Access to Work – Government based agency offering support to those with a disability
• Jobcentre – Support and advice on benefits and employability
• Action for ME – The rights of people with ME at work – useful leaflet explaining the rights of people with ME at work.
• Action for ME – Support at work for people with ME – useful leaflet with guidance on support available for people with ME at work.
• The Advocacy Project – human rights-based organisation that supports people to have their voices heard and be empowered to be involved in decisions that affect their lives
• The Federation of Small Businesses – for those self-employed or running smaller businesses – advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government
• Govan Law Centre – a free legal resource – a charity challenging poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. They specialise in housing, landlord and tenant, homelessness, welfare rights, money advice, social services, consumer and debt
• Wellness Action Plan (MIND) – an example of a plan which can be useful for maintaining or returning to work.

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. When living with a long-term condition, it is understandable that many people feel a decline in their mental health.

It is important to address these issues to prevent worsening, and there are many ways to self-manage milder symptoms.

If your symptoms are worsening or you no longer feel that you can keep yourself or others safe, please contact your GP or call NHS24 on 111 or 999 depending on the severity.

The ‘My Health – Living Well With Long-Term Conditions’ service is not a 24-hour service. Communication (email and telephone) is not monitored out of working hours.

• NHS – 5 steps to mental wellbeing
• Every Mind Matters – website with resources for managing your mental health including relaxation, meditation and strategies
• Stress Management Society
• Wellbeing services – South Glasgow – web links and virtual groups for various aspects of mental health for those with GPs in the South of Glasgow
• Wellbeing Scotland
• Meditation and Sleep Made Simple – Headspace
• Breathing Space Scotland – a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
• Lifelink – can offer support to anyone who is struggling to cope with everyday stress or is feeling anxious or depressed. 1:1 counselling available and a Glasgow based service.
• Samaritans – for anyone struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. This is for if you are in crisis or to prevent a crisis.
• Daylight – clinically proven digital treatment that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to help people gain control over their anxiety.

The following pages will signpost you to templates you may use for managing your long-term condition.

• WRAP – wellness action plan, an example of a plan which can be useful for managing your condition
• Work WRAP – Longer version of the above WRAP with sections more relevant to work

For reduced or loss of sense of smell there are charities which support and sell packs to rehabilitate the sense of smell

• Abscent
• Smell Taste
• For people with noise sensitivity after COVID, many have found that noise reducing earplugs are helpful.
• Visual decline – please refer to your local opticians.
• Visual sensitivity – some have found wearing coloured glasses lenses relieving or wearing a cap is helpful to shade the light from above.

These pages have adapted fatigue strategies for those who are neurodivergent (e.g. – Autism or ADHD).

• The Neurodivergent Spoon Theory is a helpful tool which has adapted the Spoon Theory for those who are neurodivergent.
• How to Use Pacing Systems — Insights of a Neurodivergent Clinician (neurodivergentinsights.com)

Your ability to achieve daily activities can be impacted by your long-term condition. Below are some resources to help identify aids that may help.

• Ask Sara – Impartial advice about equipment to help make daily living easier.
• Kitchen Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing kitchen tasks.
• Household Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing kitchen tasks.
• Personal Care Aids – A list of small aids that can support you when completing personal care tasks.

Certain medical conditions need to be declared to DVLA. Some symptoms may impact on your ability to concentrate or safely manoeuvre a vehicle. If you do not declare a new or worsening health condition or disability, it may result in a fine or prosecution. Please see the DVLA website for further information and an A to Z list of conditions.

People living with long-term conditions often need to reduce their working hours or stop working to manage their condition. This may inevitably have an impact on their finances. The following pages may be able to help and guide you to money management or signpost you to grant or benefits to help.

• Support and Information Services (NHSGGC) – a service within the NHSGGC who can advise on financial, social, educational, lifestyle issues and support groups and guiding through the complaints process.
• Citizens Advice Scotland – help for benefits, debt and money, housing, work, family, law and courts and immigration for those living in Scotland.
• Advice Direct Scotland – support for those with Long Term Conditions – e.g. – advice for applying for Adult Disability Payment / ADP (previously known as Personal Independence Payment / PIP)
• Money Matters – a Welfare Rights Service, financial capability service based in Glasgow.

Some people experience palpitations – a sensation of fast or inconsistent heart beats in their chests or dizziness. In some cases, this is cardiac related, but many have been medically assessed and the symptom is not due to any damage to the heart.

If you have this symptom and cardiac cause has been ruled out, then this may be classed as dysautonomia. This is a condition which many people have and can be managed with the right advice and treatment.

• Dysautononomia Support
• PoTS-UK
• Standing Up To PoTS
• NHS Page for PoTS
• Stop Fainting

Sleep is important for replenishing energy levels and repairing the body. Many people with long-term conditions feel that their ability to sleep and their sleep quality have got worse. The following pages help with advice and support to improve your sleep.

• Sleepio
• The Sleep Charity
• Sleep Foundation
• BetterSleep
• Wellbeing HUB – sleep

Information for Referrers and General Practitioners (GPs)

Direct referrals will be accepted from GPs via SCI-gateway. If another member of the MDT feels input would be helpful, please discuss with the GP. 

Inclusion criteria 

• 18 years old and above 
• Live within NHSGGC geographical area.  
• 12 weeks history of a long-term condition.  
• Cluster of symptoms which impacts day-to-day living. 

Exclusion criteria 

• Patients living outside NHSGGC boundary 
• Symptoms lasting less than 12 weeks. 
• Other medical conditions that may present with similar symptoms. 
• Patients with co-existent active cancer that would be best managed by the cancer pathway.  
• Patients who are in mental health crisis. 
• Ongoing medical investigations for other conditions. 
• Patient needs are being met elsewhere (e.g. community respiratory team).