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Eligibility Criteria

HERITAGE Eligibility Criteria  

Who can take part in the HERITAGE study? 

You may be able to take part if you are: 

  • Aged 18 or over 
  • Living in the UK 
  • Have a diagnosis of Long Covid (LC) and/or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or have been referred to a clinician for assessment and diagnosis of either LC or ME/CFS 
  • Currently receiving specialist NHS care from at participating site (Leeds Community Health Care NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust). You will be recruited through that site and make up part of the ‘Clinical Cohort.’ 
  • Not under any specialist services currently, or in the last 3 years. You will sign up independently to the study through the Autonom-e app and make up part of the ‘Non-Clinic Cohort.’ 
  • Able to give informed consent 

Carers, family members, and supporters 

  • Aged 18 or over 
  • Providing care or support to someone with LC or ME/CFS and participating in HERITAGE 
  • Willing to share your experiences in an interview 

Healthcare professionals and staff 

  • Aged 18 or over 
  • Working in NHS or private or community services supporting people with LC or ME/CFS 
  • Involved in care, service delivery, commissioning, or support roles related to LC or ME/CFS 

What do we mean by “clinical” and “non‑clinical” cohorts? 

To understand everyone’s experience of health services for these conditions, HERITAGE includes people from different backgrounds and care pathways. 

Clinical cohort - This includes people who: 

  • Are currently receiving care from an NHS Long Covid or ME/CFS specialist service from a participating HERITAGE site: 
  • Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust 
  • University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 
  • Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Or in the last 3 years, have received specialist services from a participating HERITAGE site  

Non‑clinical cohort - This includes people who: 

  • Have a diagnosis or LC and/or ME/CFS or waiting to be seen for a diagnosis 
  • Are not currently receiving care or not received care from a specialist NHS clinic in the last 3 years 
  • Might be getting some support from you GPs, community services, charities, peer support groups or might be self‑managing your condition 

Both groups are equally important to the study.