Covid-19 treatments toolkit updates
The NHS offers treatment to people with Covid-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has recently updated its guidance to expand the cohorts of patients eligible for treatment with nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid) if they test positive for Covid-19. Guidance is available here Overview | Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, sotrovimab and tocilizumab for treating COVID-19 | Guidance | NICE. The introduction of these new cohorts will be phased, to manage pressures on current patient pathways.
The first phase, in addition to the current high-risk cohorts will be implemented from June 2024-June 2025 and includes the following groups:
- people aged 85 years and over
- people with end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device
- people on the organ transplant waiting list
- people aged 70 years and over, or who have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more, diabetes or heart failure, and:
- are resident in a care home, or
- are already hospitalised.
After June 2025 the full recommendation would provide access for people who are aged 70 years and over, or who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m2 or more, diabetes or heart failure.
Patient pathway
A community-based Covid-19 treatment is accessible for North East London patients, provided by the NEL local COVID-19 Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU) at Waltham Forest GP Federation.
The primary referral pathway has changed from automated identification after a positive Lateral flow test or PCR test result to self-referral. Healthcare providers are asked to either refer, or direct the patient to self-refer, to Waltham Forest GP FedNet. This referral process is the same for paediatric (12–17 year olds) and adult patients.
Contact details of the provider:
Waltham Forest GP FedNet
Telephone – 020 3196 3239
E-mail – NEL.CMDUreferral@nhs.net
- Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
- Saturday 9am-1pm
- Sunday and on Bank Holidays 10am-2pm
The provider will contact patients directly to confirm eligibility, discuss, and if appropriate, arrange treatment. GPs are currently not required to prescribe any COVID-19 therapeutics. Four community pharmacies have been contracted to dispense and if needed, deliver the oral therapeutics to patients’ homes. More information for patients can be found on the ICB website Covid-19 treatments – NHS North East London (icb.nhs.uk)
Patients can find out more by visiting: https://northeastlondon.icb.nhs.uk/health-advice/covid-19/covid-19-treatments/
More information on Covid-19 is available on our new information hub.
You can also find a full communications toolkit and materials including GP screen and a poster for your practice here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1k5jSAW3feVRRYOvV3Ang0ijKdm-SwdRf?usp=sharing
Please find screen graphic for you to use in your practice.
