Covid Medicines Delivery Service

 

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The COVID Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) provides new COVID-19 treatments for patients at the highest risk in the community with the aim of reducing deterioration and preventing hospitalisation. 

Haringey GP Federation and Islington GP Federation are joint service providers for any eligible patients residing in North Central London (Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington).

image depicting an woman holding medication

 

What does treatment involve?

Treatments involve medicines which stop the virus that causes COVID-19 from making copies of itself in the body. They are given to high-risk patients with a positive PCR or lateral flow test within five days of symptoms onset. The purpose of treatment is to reduce the risk of deterioration due to COVID19 and prevent hospitalisation for high-risk patients.  

Upon receipt of referral, a prescribing pharmacist screens the patients' GP medical record for eligibility and determines a suitable treatment option. The pharmacist then calls the patient to assess the severity of symptoms and proceed with treatment provision if appropriate.

 

COVID Medicines Service

COVID-19 treatments include antivirals and neutralising monoclonal antibodies (nMAbs) for north central London (NCL) residents who test positive for COVID-19 and have specific health conditions which increase the risk of hospitalisation*.

All patients need to be assessed for eligibility and treatment by the primary care-based service. 

Patients can be referred in through: 

  • Self-referral 
  • GP or any healthcare professional referral 
  • NHS 111 referral 

The service operates during weekdays from 10am-3pm, weekends from 10am-1pm and bank holidays from 10amto 12pm. Referrals can be made by: 

  • Email: nclicb.cmdu@nhs.net (This mailbox will be monitored 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and 10amto 1:30pm weekend and bank holidays).
  • Voicemail function: 020 3838 7121

The service is available for all high-risk people, including children over 12, who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments and registered with a GP in NCL. Others, such as visitors to our boroughs, those residing in NCL but not registered with a local GP and those without housing or in emergency accommodation will also be eligible for accessing this service.

NHS England has sent out a letter to all patients previously identified as potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments advising them of the changes to accessing COVID-19 treatment services.

*For a full list of health conditions eligible for COVID-19 treatments, see The Independent Advisory report published in March 2023 available on the GOV UK website  and NICE guidance

 

Pregnant Patient with Covid

How to Refer

Refer by phone 10am to 3pm, weekends from 10am to 1pm and bank holidays from 10am to 12pm: 020 3838 7121

Alternatively, email details of the patient. The mailbox will be monitored 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1:30pm weekend and bank holidays): nclicb.cmdu@nhs.net

Self-referral

020 3838 7121

Patients can self-refer by calling. An answering machine with voicemail functionality is available outside of operating hours specifying when they will receive a call back.

 

Locations

Administration of IV antivirals only to be prescribed by CMDU clinicians.

Former Operations Room, Ground Floor of the Tower, University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU

Patient triage

Conducted remotely on behalf of Haringey and Islington GP Federation:

Head Office, 48 Station Road, London, N22 7TY

Service Feedback

FAO CMS Service Manager: 

Who is eligible for treatment?

The service is available for all high-risk patients, including children over 12 as defined by the Gov.Uk independent advisory group.

More information about eligibility can be found here

 

Other FAQs

What happens if someone is visiting or has temporary accommodation within North Central London and is eligible for the treatment?
Patients residing in North Central London (Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington), even if temporarily will still be assessed and considered for treatment based on the eligibility criteria.