Accessing COVID-19 treatments
July 03rd, 2023
Debbie Kinsey
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The way you access treatments for COVID-19 has changed in some areas. This article details how to access treatments in each of the four nations of the UK – for information on eligibility and what treatments are available, please see our main treatments article HERE.
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ENGLAND
The way you access treatments for COVID-19 in England changed from 27th June 2023. There are two key changes:
1 You will no longer be contacted by the NHS if you test positive, you must contact the NHS yourself.
Previously, when you registered a positive test for COVID-19, you would be contacted to receive treatment if you were eligible. As of the end of June 2023, you must contact the NHS to get access to the treatment. It is important to start the treatment as soon as possible, so you should contact the NHS as soon as you test positive.
2. The system for accessing treatments is no longer national, and may be different in different local areas.
Before June 2023, there was one national process for accessing the treatments. This has now moved into regular NHS care, which means it is now handled by local NHS systems called Integrated Care Boards (ICBS). Each ICB may have a slightly different process for who you need to contact, for example whether there is a particular phone number to use or you need to call your GP.
You can find your local ICB on this page of the NHS England website. You will then be able to click a link to take you to your ICB’s website to find information about how to access treatments in your local area.
However, if you do not know which ICB you are in, or you cannot find the information on your ICB’s website, then call 111, your GP surgery, or your hospital team to find out how to access treatments in your area.
What do I do if I’m away from home when I test positive?
Contact the ICB service where you normally live (or 111 or your GP), as they will have the information on your eligibility. They will co-ordinate with the ICB in the area you are staying in to provide you with the appropriate treatments.
SCOTLAND
The way you access treatments for COVID-19 in Scotland changed from 27th June 2023. There are two key changes:
1 You will no longer be contacted by the NHS if you test positive, you must contact the NHS yourself.
Previously, when you registered a positive test for COVID-19, you would be contacted to receive treatment if you were eligible. As of the end of June 2023, you must contact the NHS to get access to the treatment. It is important to start the treatment as soon as possible, so you should contact the NHS as soon as you test positive.
2. The system for accessing treatments is no longer national, and may be different in different local areas.
Before June 2023, there was one national process for accessing the treatments. This has now moved into regular NHS care, which means it is now handled by local NHS systems called Health Boards. To access the treatments, you should call your local Health Board. You can find a list of Scottish Health Boards and the phone number you should use on this website.
What do I do if I’m away from home when I test positive?
Contact the Health Board where you normally live, as they will have the information on your eligibility. They will co-ordinate with the Health Board in the area you are staying in to provide you with the appropriate treatments.
WALES
The way you access treatments in Wales changed from 2nd November 2023. There is one key change:
When you test positive, you need to fill out this form to get access to treatment: COVID-19 Antiviral Self-Referral Form (NHS 111 Wales). If you cannot access the online form, you can ask your GP to refer you or you can call NHS 111 and tell them you have tested positive to COVID-19, you have symptoms, and you are in the highest risk group and eligible for treatment.
If you are eligible for treatment, you will usually be contacted within 48 hours of reporting your positive test via text message or telephone call. If you receive a text message, it is important to follow the instructions and reply so that you are contacted for an assessment. You can find out more about the process in Wales HERE.
What do I do if I believe I am eligible but have not been contacted?
Call 111 if you have not been contacted within 48 hours reporting your test. State that you live in Wales, have symptoms and have tested positive for COVID-19, and you believe you are in the highest risk group and are eligible for treatment. You should then be passed on for an assessment or referred to the National Antiviral Service in Wales.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The process for accessing COVID-19 treatments in Northern Ireland has not changed. When you test positive, you need to report your test result online or by calling 119. When you report your positive test online, you should then receive a text message about your result. If you are eligible, you will receive a second message telling you that your local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust will be told and they will review the information in your medical records to check you are eligible. If the HSC Trust decides you are eligible, they will then contact you via telephone.
What do I do if I believe I am eligible but have not received the second text message, or received the second message but my local HSC Trust did not phone me within 48 hours?
Contact your GP. They can then contact the HSC Trust on your behalf.
What if I am in the Republic of Ireland when I test positive?
You can access treatment by contacting the nearest GP in the area you are staying, you do not need to contact your GP in Northern Ireland.
More information on the process in Northern Ireland can be found HERE.
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