Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of pressure on primary care services and the challenges of out of hours, weekend and holiday access provision, how immunocompromised people can access anti-virals to mitigate COVID-19 infection once GPs are responsible for dispensing these; and what assurances they can provide that a system will be in place to ensure there are no difficulties in accessing treatments by the end of June when the Covid Medicines Delivery Units are disbanded.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published final guidance on COVID-19 treatments on 29 March 2023, a copy of which is attached, in line with their statutory responsibilities. Integrated care boards (ICBs) in England have 90 days from this date to make funding available and to implement the treatment recommendations. NHS England has asked ICBs to maintain access to COVID-19 treatments through COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDUs), or equivalent local arrangements, during the NICE 90-day implementation period.

ICBs are responsible for the continued delivery of COVID-19 treatments, including where appropriate transitioning the delivery of community-based COVID-19 treatments away from CMDUs to routine care pathways by the end of June. ICBs have the flexibility to create a routine patient access pathway that best meets local needs and circumstances.

During the 90-day implementation period, NHS England is working closely with ICBs to ensure that new routine services continue to provide timely access to assessment and treatment for COVID-19 infection. In addition, NHS England is engaging with charities, patient groups and other stakeholders to understand where any further national support is required to facilitate the transition and providing national communications to patients, healthcare professionals and local system leaders to ensure clarity on upcoming changes.