New treatments are being given to vulnerable people when they first test positive for coronavirus in north Cumbria.
People in the community with a range of conditions including cancer, liver disease, immune deficiencies and neuro disorders report a positive PCR test, they will be assessed by clinicians and invited to receive appropriate medication as an outpatient at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Paul Fieldhouse, clinical director of pharmacy at the trust, said: “When a patient is admitted to hospital with coronavirus, they are usually in the later stages of their illness and we can treat them with oxygen, steroids and in some cases immunotherapy medicines which are given through an intravenous drip.
“Clinical trials have shown that some immunotherapy medicines and a new antiviral medicine, have been successful in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in this group of vulnerable patients.
“Administering these medicines to patients much earlier will have a significant benefit to the patient and also reduce the numbers of people that need to be cared for in hospital.”
Gill Harrington, of Carlisle has a rare form of blood cancer and last month was the first patient in the North East and north Yorkshire region to receive the treatment at the city’s Cumberland Infirmary.
Due to her condition she has been shielding for two years since the start of the pandemic.
he said, “I had been so careful and was terrified when I first saw the two red lines on the lateral flow test. But the speed in which I was given treatment was amazing, it’s reassuring to know these medications are available, and I hope it will help people feel less frightened.”
Last month, the trust set up the COVID Medicines Delivery Unit at the Cumberland Infirmary where strict protocols are in place in accessing the hospital.
Gill was given full PPE to wear and was escorted by clinical staff to the respiratory ward to receive the intravenous antibody and was back out within two hours. Gill is now on the mend and able to go out for short walks.
Although she said she was still feeling quite fatigued, she said she was grateful that she was able to benefit from the medication.
She said: “It’s just superb, I have nothing but praise for our NHS.”
Vanessa Connor, associate director of operations, said: “We have very rapidly put a plan in place to ensure we can identify, contact, assess and administer these medications for eligible patients in the community.
“For the first few weeks, we delivered the treatment to people as an outpatient in the Cumberland Infirmary, however this week we have moved the service to Wigton Community Hospital which enables us to treat even more patients – and our first patients are now receiving treatments there.”
Tracy Robertson, 57, of Wigton has rheumatoid arthritis and was the first person to receive the treatment at Wigton Community Hospital on January 18.
She said: “The team were fantastic and definitely put my mind at ease. It was a great experience and it’s really exciting to see that it helps.”
Patients who are eligible have already received a letter explaining that if they test positive they may be eligible for antivirals.
Patients who are in the eligible group have been asked to contact 111 if they get a positive PCR test, to arrange this.
Paul added: “It is fabulous to see patients in north Cumbria having access to the latest medicines to treat COVID.
“North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust has been part of the RECOVERY trial offering trial medicines for COVID and has supported the development of COVID treatments that will offer benefits to patients worldwide.
“Now, just one year on from being one of the first NHS organisations to offer COVID vaccinations NCIC has become one of the first trusts to offer COVID treatments too. With two monoclonal antibodies and an antiviral agent available now we anticipate being able to offer further new treatments from next month too.”
“Our healthcare professionals and support services teams have worked hard over the last two years throughout the pandemic to maintain services but I am particularly proud of the multi-disciplinary teams that have worked together to make COVID treatments available to our local population.”
Vanessa added: “Teams across the whole organisation have pulled together to be able to deliver this in north Cumbria. From the respiratory ward staff and clinicians, to the community, operational and support teams everyone has played a part in being able to bring this to our patients.”
For more information about the treatment, visit www.nhs.uk/CoronavirusTreatments
