The NHS offers treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill.
A summary of the eligible health conditions is provided on the NHS website.
More details have been provided in the Government’s updated Independent Advisory Group Report
If you have one of these health conditions (or are eligible due to the medicines you are taking) you may have received a letter or email from the NHS. This letter does not guarantee treatment as you will need to be clinically assessed to make sure the treatment is right for you.
If you think you may be eligible for COVID treatments but haven’t received a letter you can contact your specialist clinician or GP to discuss whether you are in one of the highest risk groups.
From Tuesday 27 June 2023 and if you have one of the health conditions which might make you eligible:
- You will no longer be automatically contacted by the NHS about treatments after reporting a positive COVID test result.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 you should contact our Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) directly by telephoning: 0300 4435919 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Saturday/Sunday/Bank Holidays 9am-1pm). Voicemail available outside working hours- messages will be picked up from 9am the following morning. If you have not been contacted within 24 hours of contacting the CMDU call your GP surgery or NHS 111.
1. Rapid lateral flow tests
COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people.
You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you:
- have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment
- work in healthcare settings or in a hospice
Pharmacies offering free lateral flow tests (xlsx, 602kb)
2. You should take a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms
If you have COVID symptoms you should take a test immediately, even if your symptoms are mild.
If your test is negative but you continue to have symptoms, you should take another test on each of the next two days (three tests in total over three days).
If your test is positive please contact CMDU as above or your GP or NHS 111.
You should report your test result where possible at gov.uk or by calling 119, using your NHS number and postcode (at the top of this letter). This will ensure your test result is visible to the NHS, to support referral and assessment. You will not be able to report the result of a test purchased from a pharmacy or shop but this will not affect your access to an assessment for treatment.
Visit the NHS.uk website for more information on COVID treatments