Many of us have been waiting MONTHS for this and have sent countless emails informing everyone we can think of that we were somehow left off the list for priority PCRs and COVID19 treatments. But yesterday finally many of us who have struggled and sweated finally got this email. If you STILL don’t have one do let us know, but also email england.spoc-c19therapeutics@nhs.net with your NHS number, date of birth and proof you have one of the qualifying conditions.

One thing I would say about this article is personally I won’t be waiting the 24 hours. If I get a positive lateral flow I will contact my clinical nurse specialist, GP, or 111 immediately and ask them to refer me to the closest Covid Medicine Delivery Unit as that extra day’s delay might reduce the efficacy of the antibodies or antivirals. I will also personally be asking for the antibodies but simultaneously volunteer for the antiviral trial so I can have a chance of getting BOTH treatments.

NHS EMAIL

Important information about new treatments for coronavirus

The NHS is offering new treatments for coronavirus. Your medical records currently show you might be suitable for these treatments if you have coronavirus.

This letter explains that:

Why are we sending you this letter?

Health experts have looked at the health conditions which put people at more risk from coronavirus. Those health conditions have been agreed by UK chief medical officers.

We are contacting you because your medical records currently show that you have one or more of these health conditions. This means that these new treatments might be suitable for you if a test confirms you have coronavirus.

These treatments need to be given quickly after you start to have symptoms. They can stop you from getting seriously ill.

1. You should keep PCR and lateral flow tests at home

You are being sent a priority PCR test kit to keep at home. You should only use it if you develop symptoms. If you haven’t received yours by 21 March, call 119 for advice.

You should also order lateral flow tests by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests, calling 119, or collecting them from a pharmacy. Please do not collect tests from a pharmacy if you have any coronavirus symptoms.

2. You should take a test if you have coronavirus symptoms

If you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you should take a test immediately, even if your symptoms are mild.

You should use the priority PCR test sent to you. Follow the instructions to register the test before you return it. You should take a lateral flow test while you are waiting for your result or if you don’t have a PCR test. Lateral flow tests provide quick results, but you must report your result at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result or by calling 119.

When registering your PCR test and reporting a lateral flow test result, it is important to enter your NHS number and postcode correctly so the NHS can contact you about treatment.

3. The NHS will contact you if you test positive

If either test shows that you have coronavirus, the NHS will contact you about treatments that may be available to you. If you are not contacted within 24 hours of your positive test result, please contact your GP or 111 (not 119) who can make an urgent referral.

You will be asked about medication you are taking, including vitamins. They will then advise which treatment, if any, is suitable, and make any necessary arrangements.

Yours sincerely

Professor James D Palmer
National Medical Director, Specialised Services
NHS England and NHS Improvement

More information on how the NHS has used your information: https://www.digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/treatments/transparency-notice

If you need this letter in easy read, braille or other languages, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/patient-letter