anyone with sickle cell disease

The Patient Journey

How will I know if I am eligible?

1. There is advice for people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk on the COVID-19 Health Hub website. 2. Your general practice team or hauora provider will be aware of your underlying conditions and will be in touch with you to assess your condition, and whether the treatment is suitable for you, once they know you are a COVID-19 case. 3. If you are not in the same locality as your usual health provider, or do not have a usual health provider, and/or have not completed the online self-assessment form, the Care Coordination Hub will call you, or your local Health provider to assess your needs. 4. It is important that you call your health provider or Healthline (0800 358 5453) if you are concerned about being severely unwell with COVID-19.

How will I get the medicine in time?

• Get tested as soon as symptoms develop. If you test positive for COVID-19, your Day Zero is the day you first experienced symptoms. • Report the result of a rapid antigen test (RAT) on My Covid Record, or by calling 0800 222 478 and choose option 3. You will then be sent a link to a free-data online form that you need to fill out. This form will allow you to provide information to your health team about any health needs you have. • If you are at risk of severe illness, you will have an initial clinical assessment by a health practitioner (such as your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist prescriber) within 24 hours. Planning for your COVID-19 care will be done at the same time as this assessment. • The prescription for a COVID-19 medicine will be sent directly to the participating pharmacy, who will arrange delivery of the medicine to you in time to start within 5 days of onset of symptoms. The participating pharmacy will also contact you to ensure you know how to take the medicine properly.

Will it cost me anything?

• No, the testing, clinical assessment, prescription, advice, and delivery are all covered by the COVID-19 Care in Community funding and are free to eligible patients.