I was chatting with a friend yesterday, and he mentioned that ever since he had COVID two years ago, his mind has felt foggy, he’s become very forgetful, and he’s constantly exhausted. We both thought it was just a general state of ‘sub-health’ that he’d have to manage on his own. But then he told me that when he recently visited his GP, the doctor referred him directly to a specialized department for these issues, called the ‘Unidad de COVID Persistente,’ which is a Long COVID Clinic.
This was quite the news! I had only heard about similar clinics in the UK; I didn’t realize Spain was now offering this too. My friend went to Gregorio Marañón Hospital and said the doctors there were incredibly patient, unlike other specialist appointments where you wait for two hours for a five-minute consultation. They conduct a very detailed questionnaire to understand all the different symptoms, like the brain fog he mentioned, shortness of breath, and joint pain, and then arrange a series of targeted tests. It’s great to see they’re treating it as a complex condition rather than just addressing isolated symptoms, which can be confusing when trying to navigate [Spanish hospital departments] or to [understand hospital departments in Spain].
I did some research online and found that it’s not just Gregorio Marañón; several other major hospitals in Madrid, like La Paz and 12 de Octubre, have also launched similar clinics. It seems the Spanish public health system is taking this issue more and more seriously. This is definitely great news for those of us living in Spain, especially for friends who have been struggling with all sorts of ‘vague’ and persistent post-COVID symptoms.
I’ve put together a simple information table based on what I found in news articles and on hospital websites, which might be helpful. For specific details, however, it’s always best to consult your GP first for their professional assessment and referral. This [guide to hospital departments in Spain] can also be a useful reference.
| Hospital Name | Opened? | Main Focus |
|---|
| Hospital Gregorio Marañón | Yes | Comprehensive symptoms, including neurological, respiratory, and cardiac |
| Hospital La Paz | Yes | Focus on neurological sequelae in children and adults |
| Hospital 12 de Octubre | Yes | Comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation |
| Hospital Ramón y Cajal | Consult GP | Information to be confirmed, but related research projects exist |
Has anyone on the forum been to one of these clinics? How was the experience? Was the appointment and referral process smooth? Please share your insights! It feels like this new specialty could help a lot of people. I hope everyone can soon overcome the effects of long COVID and get back to their best
!
