The COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) is a seven-day service that supports non-hospitalised patients who are at a high risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19, despite being vaccinated.
Patients who test positive for COVID-19 can now refer themselves to the CMDU by calling 0300 44 35919, instead of logging their positive result on the government website as they would have previously.
Who can be treated by the CMDU?
Patients within the following high-risk cohorts may be eligible for treatment:
- Solid organ cancer
- Haematological disease or stem cell recipients
- Solid organ transplant recipients
- Renal disease
- Liver disease
- Down’s syndrome or other chromosomal disorders known to affect immune competence
- Immune deficiencies
- HIV/AIDS
- Neurological Disorders
- Respiratory Conditions.
In addition to the above high risk cohorts of patients, from 11 June 2024 the following cohort of patients may be eligible for Paxlovid treatment, if they test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic:
- people aged 85 years and over
- people with end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device
- people on the organ transplant waiting list
- people aged 70 years and over – who are a resident in a care home or who are already hospitalised
- People who have a BMI 35 kg/m2 or more – who are a resident in a care home or who are already hospitalised
- People who are diabetic – who are a resident in a care home or who are already hospitalised
- People with heart failure – who are a resident in a care home or who are already hospitalised.
Obtaining oral antiviral medication
From Monday August 12, 2024, the way in which the public obtain COVID oral antiviral medication will be changing.
If you are deemed eligible for oral antiviral medication by Mid and South Essex COVID Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU), the oral medication will be prescribed by CMDU Clinical Nurse Specialists, and the prescription sent electronically to be dispensed by a community pharmacy.
Many community pharmacies in mid and south Essex are now holding stock of COVID oral antiviral medication or are able to order it in quickly – so try your usual community pharmacy first.
On Bank Holidays and at weekends not all community pharmacies are open and opening times may vary. Use Find a pharmacy to check if a pharmacy is open or to find open pharmacies in your area. You are advised to telephone your chosen community pharmacy to check availability of the prescribed medicine before travelling, particularly if this is a long distance. The patient, relative or carer will need to collect the medication from the community pharmacy.
If you are unable to obtain your oral antiviral medication from a community pharmacy within a 24-hour window of the prescription being issued please call the CMDU team on 0300 4435919 Monday to Friday 09:00-16:00, weekends and bank holidays 09:00-13:00. If after these times please leave a voicemail or email on [email protected] with your full name, DOB and telephone number and the CMDU team will contact you back the following day.
Free lateral flow tests
The NHS offers COVID-19 treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at risk of becoming seriously ill.
You can get free COVID 19 rapid lateral flow tests from a community pharmacy if you are potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatment. To access treatment, eligible patients first need to be able to test themselves by using a lateral flow device test if they develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. It is therefore important that they have lateral flow device tests at their home in advance of developing symptoms, so they can promptly undertake a test.
Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests