Private long covid clinic in London, same-day GP.
Long COVID describes symptoms continuing for more than twelve weeks after COVID-19 that are not explained by anything else. It is real, it is common, and the single most useful thing to understand early is that pushing through worsens it in a substantial proportion of people. Our private GP clinic in East London offers same-day long covid assessment with a private GP, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.
The condition
What is long covid?
Long COVID describes symptoms continuing for more than twelve weeks after COVID-19 that are not explained by anything else. It is real, it is common, and the single most useful thing to understand early is that pushing through worsens it in a substantial proportion of people.
- What long covid is
- Symptoms to look for
- Causes & risk factors
- Tests & diagnosis
- Treatment options
- When to see a specialist
Understanding long covid
Long COVID: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment
Seek urgent assessment if you have
- chest pain, severe breathlessness or fainting
- calf swelling and pain, or breathlessness with coughing blood
- new confusion, weakness or speech difficulty
- oxygen levels below 92% if you are monitoring at home
- severe worsening after a period of stability
- thoughts of harming yourself
Blood clots, heart inflammation and lung damage all occur after COVID and need excluding rather than assuming symptoms are 'just long COVID'. If you are struggling with your mood, Samaritans are free on 116 123 at any hour.
The common symptom clusters
- Fatigue — the most common, and unlike ordinary tiredness in that rest does not restore it
- Breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance
- Cognitive difficulty — brain fog, word-finding problems, poor memory and concentration
- Palpitations and dizziness on standing, sometimes from a condition called PoTS
- Pain — muscle, joint, chest, headache
- Sleep disturbance, altered taste or smell, gut symptoms, rashes
- Anxiety and low mood — consequences as much as contributors
Post-exertional malaise changes the advice
Many people with long COVID experience a delayed crash — a marked worsening of all symptoms 12 to 72 hours after physical, cognitive or emotional exertion, lasting days or longer. Where this is present, graded exercise programmes that push through symptoms are harmful and can cause lasting deterioration. This is a significant change from older rehabilitation advice. The approach is pacing: working within your energy limit rather than trying to expand it by force.
Pacing
- Find your baseline — the level of activity you can do on a bad day without triggering a crash. Start below it.
- Break activities into short blocks with planned rest between, and rest before you feel you need to.
- Count cognitive and emotional effort as activity, not just physical. Screens, conversation and stress all consume the same budget.
- Increase only when you have been stable for a fortnight, and only by a small amount.
- Plan for events — bank rest before, and after.
- Keep a simple diary of activity and symptoms to find your patterns.
What should be excluded
Long COVID is a diagnosis made after other explanations have been considered. Reasonable baseline investigation includes a full blood count, ferritin, B12, folate, thyroid function, kidney and liver function, glucose or HbA1c, calcium, CRP, coeliac screening and vitamin D. Heart, lung or clotting investigation is added where symptoms point that way. Finding treatable anaemia, thyroid disease or diabetes is common and worth doing.
What helps
Helps
- Pacing, consistently, before you feel you need to
- Treating orthostatic symptoms — fluids, salt, compression, slow position changes
- Sleep routine, even when sleep is poor
- Breathing retraining for dysfunctional breathing patterns
- Occupational health input and phased return to work
Unhelpful
- Pushing through, and 'boom and bust' cycles
- Graded exercise where post-exertional malaise is present
- Expensive unproven treatments and supplements
- Comparing yourself to your pre-COVID capacity daily
- Returning to full-time work before you are ready
Work and benefits
Long COVID may meet the definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010, which means reasonable adjustments can be requested — reduced or flexible hours, working from home, rest breaks, changed duties. A phased return is usually more successful than a full one. We can provide fit notes with specific recommendations rather than simply signing you off.
GP services we offer
Expert care under one roof
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Seen today, in three easy steps
Book in a minute
Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.
Seen quickly
A GMC-registered clinician assesses you, with tests and scans arranged in-house where possible.
Diagnosis & plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.
Private assessment
See a private GP for long covid in London
At our private GP clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private GP or long covid doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant GP will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about long covid.
Local, private, fast
A private GP clinic for East London & Canary Wharf
Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private long covid appointment with a GP, without the wait or the referral.
Why choose us
Why choose our East London private GP clinic
- Same-day, no referral — private GP and GP under one roof
- Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
- Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
- Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
- A named clinician who explains your results clearly
- Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on
Ready when you are
See a private GP for long covid — the same day.
Book a private long covid assessment in East London: same-day appointments, GP-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.
Common questions
Long COVID in London: your questions answered
Where can I find a private long covid specialist near me in East London?
Our private GP clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private GP or long covid doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.
Can I see a private GP for long covid the same day?
Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a GP or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.
How much does a private long covid appointment cost in London?
We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the long covid assessment and any tests before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a private GP for long covid?
No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a GP, we will guide you.
Which areas do you serve for private long covid care?
We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.
Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.