Alliance Health Spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has said it is a huge concern that only a third of people referred with “Long COVID” have actually received an appointment, with funding for clinics due to run out in September.

The South Belfast MLA stated: “It is hugely concerning that the vast majority of those who have been referred with Long COVID have just been left on a waiting list. This causes immense difficulty going well beyond the symptoms of post-COVID syndrome itself.

“The fundamental question is whether referrals are functioning at all. If the service is meant to be delivered by multi-disciplinary teams, it is unclear why referrals are taking place at all. The entire service, from identification to treatment, should be provided straightaway as it requires a range of specialisms.

“The task here is not to signpost people but to treat them. Anything else is merely providing false hope to people in very difficult situations.”