A major new consortium led by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH)  and supported by ARC North West coast, has recently been awarded £6.8 million by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) to conduct the largest clinical study of long COVID over the next two years.

Developed with the help of patient organisations, STIMULATE-ICP (Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-COVID to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways) will test the efficacy of existing drugs to treat Long- COVID, and measure the different effects of three months’ treatment on patients with regards to their symptoms, mental health and other outcomes such as returning to work.

It will also assess the use of MRI scans to help diagnose potential organ damage in those recovering from the coronavirus, as well as enhanced rehabilitation – the provision of joined-up specialist care centred around an app for patients allowing them to track their symptoms.

The Clinical Trials Unit delivering the trial is within one of ARC NWC member Universities, the University of Central Lancashire. Professor Mark Gabbay, ARC NWC Director, will also lead one of the three work packages in STIMULATE-ICP, focusing on health inequalities and long-covid.

“We look forward to working with colleagues across the STIMULATE-ICP study on providing this experience and knowledge from within ARC NWC”, said Mark.