What Is the Long Covid Summit?
This Long Covid Summit is an in-depth conversation hosted by Suzy Bolt featuring three leading NHS clinicians:
- Dr. Melanie Dani (General Medicine & Syncope)
- Dr. Boon Lim (Cardiology & Autonomic Dysfunction)
- Dr. Deepak Ravindran (Long Covid & Pain Medicine)
Together, they explore how Long Covid is presenting in patients today, how NHS services are evolving, and what people can do right now to support recovery.
Key Themes from the Long Covid Summit
1. Symptoms Are Familiar — But Patients Are Smarter
The main Long Covid symptoms remain consistent:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Joint pain
- Shortness of breath
- Autonomic dysfunction (POTS)
However, more patients are arriving at clinics already informed and actively seeking solutions thanks to groups like Suzy Bolt’s and Long Covid webinars like this Summit.
2. The Patient Voice Sparked the NHS Long Covid Response
The creation of Long Covid clinics was fuelled by patient advocacy. Their voices pushed policymakers to fund research and establish services. This Long Covid Summit celebrates that continued advocacy and shows just how powerful patient communities can be.
3. There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Recovery isn’t about finding a single treatment or silver bullet. The experts agree that Long Covid is a complex set of syndromes, requiring:
- Rest and nervous system regulation
- Pacing and gentle movement
- Nutrition, sleep and stress management
- Mind-body approaches (e.g., mindfulness, breathwork)
4. The Problem With Specialism: Ologists and the Elephant
Doctors often only see part of the problem, not the whole picture. This “blind men and the elephant” analogy was a standout theme in the Long Covid Summit. Patients may be passed between cardiologists, neurologists, rheumatologists — with no joined-up care.
That’s why broader, integrated education is essential.
5. How to Make the Most of a GP Appointment
The Summit gave practical tips to help patients advocate for themselves:
- Use a “symptom compass” or diary
- Bring pulse and blood pressure readings
- Review info on POTSUK.org and LongCovid.org
- Ask clear questions and set expectations
6. Should You Worry About Microclotting?
The experts advise caution. Experimental treatments like HELP Apheresis are costly and not risk-free. Most people recover without them.
Instead, focus on what is in your control: reducing inflammation through rest, diet, pacing, and nervous system regulation.
7. Why Research Takes Time (and Why That’s Okay)
The Summit offered transparency around the timeline of scientific studies:
- Most trials take 1–3 years to complete
- Long Covid is still new in research terms
- There will likely be many subtypes of Long Covid
So: be patient. Stay hopeful. And don’t wait for a cure to start your healing.
Book Recommendations from the Long Covid Summit
- Cured by Dr Jeff Rediger
- How to Have a Healthy Heart by Dr Boon Lim
- The Pain-Free Mindset by Dr Deepak Ravindran
- Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence by Dr Gavin Francis
- Wintering by Katherine May
❤️ Final Thoughts from the Long Covid Summit
The most powerful message of this Summit? Your recovery starts when you stop waiting for external validation or cures, and begin supporting your body today with tools that work.
Whether it’s pacing, reducing your stress load, getting better sleep, or practising mindfulness, the experts agree: the path to recovery is gentle, personalised, and very much possible.
Ready to get the support you need to recover from Long Covid or Covid-related symptoms?
Join us in the Rest Repair Recover programme from just £5 per week