{"id":27593,"date":"2023-06-12t10:45:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-12t09:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.aselpijama.com\/?page_id=27593"},"modified":"2023-07-10t16:21:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10t15:21:10","slug":"changes-to-the-covid-19-treatments-service-in-june-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"\/\/www.aselpijama.com\/changes-to-the-covid-19-treatments-service-in-june-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"changes to the covid-19 treatments service in june 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

in june 2023, changes were made to the commissioning of covid-19 treatments for people who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill, that impacts how patients access these treatments. below are answers to important questions about these changes and how they affect people. <\/p>

the following information has come directly from nhs england<\/strong> and was shared in june 2023. <\/strong><\/p>

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why is the service changing?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>

the covid-19 treatment services that ran from december 2021 to june 2023 were set up under interim arrangements as a response to the pandemic, using a common care pathway that applied nationally. these services were supported by funding from the department of health and social care.<\/p>

now that the national institute for health and care excellence (nice) has given its final recommendations<\/a> on some of the covid-19 treatments that should be offered by the nhs, these treatments are funded and arranged as part of routine nhs services.<\/p>

local nhs organisations, called integrated care boards (icbs), can now set up local covid-19 treatments services in a way that works for their areas. this is in line with other routinely provided services and should enable the planning of covid treatments services that are suited to local populations.<\/p>

why won\u2019t the nhs be contacting me after i report a positive test? why do i have to call a gp\/111\/hospital specialist?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>

between december 2021 and june 2023, a national digital system was in place that helped identify most highest risk patients who had reported a positive covid test. this enabled automatic referrals to covid medicine delivery units (cmdus) who would then contact patients to arrange an assessment for treatments.<\/p>

this system was set up under interim arrangements as a response to the pandemic and additional funding from the department of health and social care has since ended, with the system closing on 26 june 2023.<\/p>

the national institute for health and care excellence (nice) has given its final recommendations<\/a> on some of the covid-19 treatments that should be offered by the nhs. providing access to these treatments is the responsibility of local nhs organisations, called integrated care boards (icbs), who will be looking at alternative ways to support eligible patients and provide treatments if required.<\/p>

patients are being sent a letter\/email in june 2023 to update them about this change. this informs them that they will no longer be proactively contacted, and will instead need to contact their local nhs services if they test positive, which could include their gp practice, nhs 111 or hospital specialist.<\/p>

integrated care boards (icbs) may also be implementing additional ways for patients to access an assessment for covid treatments.<\/p>

how do i find out additional information about how i can access treatment in my area?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>

there may be other ways to access covid treatments in your local area. if you require information on how the nhs will be supporting patients to access covid treatments in your area, you can contact your local nhs organisation: find your local integrated care board (icb) – nhs (www.nhs.uk)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>

what health conditions make you eligible for covid treatments? <\/strong><\/h3>

a summary of the eligible health conditions is provided at www.nhs.uk\/coronavirustreatments<\/a>, with more detail provided in the government\u2019s updated independent advisory group report<\/a>.<\/p>

if you have one of these health conditions, or are receiving other eligible medicines, you may have received a letter or email from the nhs. this letter does not guarantee treatment as doctors will need to assess you to make sure the treatment is right for you.<\/p>

if you think you may be eligible for covid treatments, but haven\u2019t received a letter, you can contact your specialist clinician or gp to discuss whether you are in one of the highest risk groups.<\/p>

it doesn\u2019t look like i am in the highest risk patient group. is there another way i can access coronavirus treatments?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>

if you are not<\/strong> in the highest risk group, you may be eligible to join the panoramic study. the panoramic study is open to individuals living anywhere in the uk who meet the following criteria:<\/p>