NHS letter re Covid drugs

[Digger0]

Good morning all. I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis in April 2020 just after the lists for "clinically vulnerable" were decided, so missed out on the classification. However, I have just had an email which says

" 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:

You should keep PCR and lateral flow test kits at home

You should take a test if you have coronavirus symptoms. Important: you must register your PCR test and report your lateral flow test result

The NHS will contact you if you test positive

For more information visit: nhs.uk/CoronavirusTreatments

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 gov.uk/order-coronavirus-ra..., 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 symptom.

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 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"

At last, my mind is put at rest (a bit) as I had 10 days in hospital with Covid when originally diagnosed. Has anyone else in England had one of these?

[May7]

Yes. I, and many people on the Vasculitis forum that have posted on this, hace had the letter, followed by the PCR kit. That's because those of us who were diagnosed with our conditions before Covid reared its ugly head were classed as CEV. As you weren't diagnosed with Bronchiectasis until after this all kicked off, you have quite rightly concluded that your letter and kit are a bit late. So sorry to read that you had to suffer before, but this kit and the promise of new anti viral drugs does help put the mind at ease that there is some backup for us.

[Digger0 in reply to May7]

Thank you May7. I always felt I was left with nothing

[Micoud57]

I was diagnosed in 2019. I did not receive a letter like this but did receive a letter recognising that i am a vulnerable adult.

[papageno in reply to Micoud57]

I was diagnosed in 1999 and have not received such a letter. This may be because GP records often fail to record Bronchiectasis, ILD, NTM or any respiratory disease which is not COPD or Asthma. If NHS centrally only uses GP data sets, the data are erroneous. Which is why many people were not included in the Shielding List sent out at the beginning of the pandemic. It is important to campaign for hospital originated diagnoses to be transcribed into GP records.

[Digger0 in reply to Micoud57]

.You can contact [e-mail] and tell them you have not had a PCR test sent to your house

[Patk1]

Yes,in deecember

[NorthernGirl3]

Yes, I’ve had it for a while.

[Neonkittie17]

Yes I posted about it too this week. Exact same email receive this week. I had antivirals letters from the rheumy and GP in January but had to ask for them and asked 119 for PCR and they sent the standard one .. all they had left they said. Then a couple of days after my email this week I got a priority red box PCR through the post so likely you could too. Think they’ve been behind due to lack of red box tests.

[Digger0]

I have also had a second box of LFT's through the post today!