Fears for vulnerable patients as NHSE changes covid treatment rules

Some of the most vulnerable patients could risk missing out on covid treatment because new rules will place the onus on them to access antiviral medication themselves instead of the NHS contacting them directly, senior figures have warned.

The warnings follow NHS England’s national medical director Sir Stephen Powis writing to local leaders last week advising them the national commissioner will no longer identify patients who are eligible for covid treatment.

This means eligible patients will need to contact local services themselves, rather than being approached proactively by a covid medicines delivery unit.

Patients Association chief executive Rachel Power said: “Expecting patients ill with covid to know they’re eligible for these treatments and ask for them is unreasonable. How will they know they’re eligible or who to contact?”

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Source: HSJ, 6 April 2023