14 March 2024
Reminder: A community-based Covid-19 treatment is accessible for NEL patients, provided by the NEL local COVID-19 Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU) at WF GP Federation
The primary referral pathway has changed from automated identification after a positive LFT or PCR test result to mostly self-referral. NHSE has written to eligible patient cohorts to let them know to contact their GPs, hospital consultants or NHS111 to find out how to self-refer.
NHS NEL ICB is working on a communications strategy to support patient self-referral without having to contact GPs first.
GPs are asked to either refer, or direct the patient to self-refer, to Waltham Forest GP FedNet. This part of the process is the same for paediatric (12 – 17 year olds) and adult patients.
Contact details of the new provider:
Waltham Forest GP FedNet
Telephone – 0203 196 3239
E-mail – NEL.CMDUreferral@nhs.net
Opening times
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
Sunday and on Bank Holidays 10am-2pm
As before, the provider will contact patients directly to confirm eligibility, discuss, and if appropriate, arrange treatment.
GPs are 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. GPs or patients will not need to interface with them as this will be done via the FedNet. More information for patients can be found on the ICB website