Covid-19 access to treatment changes

People at the greatest risk of serious illness from Covid-19 will be able, if eligible, to continue to access treatments, to help manage Covid-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill, through a local Covid Medicine Delivery Unit service.

Access to this service is changing and people will no longer be automatically contacted by the NHS about treatments after reporting a positive Covid-19 test result. From 27 June 2023, people will be able to access the service locally through their GP practice in the first instance who will refer you to the closest Covid Medicine Delivery Unit service.

Outside of GP opening times, people can contact NHS 111 for referral.

If people are unable to reach their local GP, they can contact their hospital specialist, if they have one.

The NHS is writing to people in the highest risk groups to inform them of these changes.

 Who may be able to have a Covid-19 treatment?

 You may be eligible for Covid-19 treatments if all of the following apply:

• You are at highest risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
• You have symptoms of Covid-19 within the last five days and showing no signs of improvement.
• You have tested positive for Covid-19.

A healthcare professional will confirm if you are eligible for treatment.

More information about specific conditions is available on the NHS website.

 What are the treatments?

Treatments include neutralising monoclonal antibody (nMAB) or antiviral treatments.

Some treatments come as capsules or tablets that you swallow. Others are given to you through a drip in your arm (infusion), in a GP practice.

Detailed information can be found on the NHS website.

How to get Covid-19 treatment

From 27 June 2023, if you’re eligible for treatment, you will need to follow the process below:

1. You should keep lateral flow tests at home, but only use them if you get symptoms. If you do not have any tests, you can order them free of charge online or by calling 119. From 1 October 2023, the way you access tests may change. You will be able to check the NHS website for more information closer to the time. You can also now use tests purchased from a pharmacy or shop.
2. If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, you should take a test immediately, even if your symptoms are mild.
   1. If your test is negative but you continue to have symptoms, you should take another test on each of the next two days (three tests in total over three days). You should report your test result where possible online or by calling 119, using your NHS number and postcode. You will not be able to report the result of a test purchased from a pharmacy or shop but this will not affect your access to an assessment for treatment.
3. From 27 June, if you test positive, you should contact your GP practice as soon as possible so that they can consider referring you for an assessment for treatment. Outside of GP opening times, people can contact NHS 111 for referral. If people are unable to reach their local GP, they can contact their hospital specialist, if they have one.

 

More information is available on the NHS website.