Providing Prescriptions to Patients Isolating – No Cost Access

If the contact is isolating alone, they will be followed up by a public health provider, e.g., Healthline, with daily phone calls. If welfare and medical needs are identified, the provider notifies Toi Te Ora and Toi Te Ora refers as required. If clinical concerns, Toi Te Ora will refer for PHO/GP assessment. The public health provider or Toi Te Ora will continue to follow up (i.e., isolation, testing and release information) unless the PHO/GP advises or is requested to do daily follow up for clinical reasons. This will be referred as required.

When a household contact leaves the house, what should the GP do? Advise Toi Te Ora via email (ttoimtclinicalcaseadvisor@bopdhb.govt.nz) so that follow up can be organised (either by Healthline, Toi Te Ora, or another public health provider).

What do I do if I can’t contact a Patient for their daily check? Contact the Community Co-ordination Hub (WBOP) Phone: 0800 798729 or EBOP Co-ordination Hub Phone: 027 257 9108 They will continue to try and contact the patient including home visiting if needed.

What do I do if I have concerns a patient and their close contacts are not following the isolation requirements? Advise Toi Te Ora via email (ttoimtclinicalcaseadvisor@bopdhb.govt.nz) or 027 336 9159 (8am – 5pm, 7 days a week).

Please note there is an agreement in place between the Welfare Team and Chemist Warehouse Bethlehem.

GPs/NPs issuing prescriptions to covid-19 patients isolating at home can notate the script with the following text: ‘Covid patient isolating at home’ and use the code “H” (instead of A4) as a single occasion entry to remove the prescription co-payment for these patients.

If there is not an option to amend the A4 code (e.g. e-script) then practice can add the text information and add H Code into the ‘Comments/Notes’ section to let the pharmacy know. They are aware of the scenario.

This will address some access barriers and ensure continues medication adherence. The script can cover medications the patient has been regularly prescribed and additional medication specific to managing symptoms of Covid-19.

Please email DHB Welfare Team: Welfare.Referral@bopdhb.govt.nz to let them know you require a script collected and delivered. The pharmacy can call the DHB Welfare Team on 0800 798 729 once collection is available.

Long Term Management of Covid-19 Patients

Long term Management Following Covid Infection Long term care following Covid-19 infection is not covered within this guide. It is recommended that any patient who required hospital admission has a telephone or in-person follow-up within 6 weeks of discharge for patients to assess trajectory of recovery.