Menu
21/01/2022
New COVID-19 Treatment Options For Highest Risk Patients
New COVID-19 treatment options for patients who are at the highest risk from the effects of the virus have been announced by Health Minister Robin Swann.
Treatments previously only available to people who were hospitalised with the virus are now being offered to eligible patients in the community. In the last four weeks over 350 patients across Northern Ireland have received either the Neutralising Monoclonal Antibody treatment (nMABs) Sotrovimab, at a Trust Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment Service, or the oral antiviral medicine Molnupiravir, to take at home.
The Minister said: "It's very encouraging to hear that patients in Northern Ireland are now benefiting from these ground-breaking drugs which have been approved by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
"Monoclonal antibodies and antivirals have been used by the health service since September of last year to treat patients who are hospitalised with severe COVID-19, and have been shown to improve survival and recovery time. The roll-out of these treatments to patients at highest risk in the community is a significant milestone in our battle against COVID-19 and will provide an additional layer of support for the most vulnerable in society."
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, said: "The vaccination programme remains our first line of defence against COVID-19 but these treatments have an important role in lowering the risk of severe illness and death and will also reduce the number of people who need to be admitted to hospital, thus helping to ease pressures on the health service over the challenging winter months."
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: "These effective new treatments have been rolled out across Northern Ireland at pace and I want to commend clinical teams in our HSC Trusts who have worked exceptionally hard to identify and deliver treatment to patients at a very challenging time for the entire health service.
"With additional drugs due to become available shortly, following approval from the MHRA, we are maximising our ability to protect vulnerable patients and prevent them from serious illness."
People who are eligible for these COVID-19 treatments are prioritised for PCR testing. If they have a positive lateral flow test, they should get a confirmatory PCR test. This is very important as a positive PCR result is required to access the new treatments.
Patients eligible for the latest treatments who receive a positive PCR test result will be contacted by a clinician from the health service to discuss what treatments could be suitable for them.
This may be from an unknown or withheld number.
If you don't hear from your local Trust within a couple of days you can ask your GP practice to contact the Trust on your behalf.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and do not receive any text message about treatment, but feel you are eligible, you can contact your GP practice to discuss this.
Treatments previously only available to people who were hospitalised with the virus are now being offered to eligible patients in the community. In the last four weeks over 350 patients across Northern Ireland have received either the Neutralising Monoclonal Antibody treatment (nMABs) Sotrovimab, at a Trust Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment Service, or the oral antiviral medicine Molnupiravir, to take at home.
The Minister said: "It's very encouraging to hear that patients in Northern Ireland are now benefiting from these ground-breaking drugs which have been approved by the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
"Monoclonal antibodies and antivirals have been used by the health service since September of last year to treat patients who are hospitalised with severe COVID-19, and have been shown to improve survival and recovery time. The roll-out of these treatments to patients at highest risk in the community is a significant milestone in our battle against COVID-19 and will provide an additional layer of support for the most vulnerable in society."
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, said: "The vaccination programme remains our first line of defence against COVID-19 but these treatments have an important role in lowering the risk of severe illness and death and will also reduce the number of people who need to be admitted to hospital, thus helping to ease pressures on the health service over the challenging winter months."
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: "These effective new treatments have been rolled out across Northern Ireland at pace and I want to commend clinical teams in our HSC Trusts who have worked exceptionally hard to identify and deliver treatment to patients at a very challenging time for the entire health service.
"With additional drugs due to become available shortly, following approval from the MHRA, we are maximising our ability to protect vulnerable patients and prevent them from serious illness."
People who are eligible for these COVID-19 treatments are prioritised for PCR testing. If they have a positive lateral flow test, they should get a confirmatory PCR test. This is very important as a positive PCR result is required to access the new treatments.
Patients eligible for the latest treatments who receive a positive PCR test result will be contacted by a clinician from the health service to discuss what treatments could be suitable for them.
This may be from an unknown or withheld number.
If you don't hear from your local Trust within a couple of days you can ask your GP practice to contact the Trust on your behalf.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and do not receive any text message about treatment, but feel you are eligible, you can contact your GP practice to discuss this.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
08 July 2022
New COVID-19 Treatments To Be Rolled-Out In NI
New COVID-19 treatments for patients at the highest risk from the virus are to be introduced in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. Since 16 December 2021 COVID-19 treatments have been available to the highest risk patients in the community. Recently the groups of those eligible for treatment has expanded.
New COVID-19 Treatments To Be Rolled-Out In NI
New COVID-19 treatments for patients at the highest risk from the virus are to be introduced in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. Since 16 December 2021 COVID-19 treatments have been available to the highest risk patients in the community. Recently the groups of those eligible for treatment has expanded.
20 November 2024
Hard-Hitting Road Safety Message Delivered To Young People
Over 800 young people from schools in Lisburn and Castlereagh attended a hard-hitting road safety message at the PSNI Road Safe Roadshow on 19 November. The roadshow, supported by AXA Insurance and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership, aims to educate young drivers about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
Hard-Hitting Road Safety Message Delivered To Young People
Over 800 young people from schools in Lisburn and Castlereagh attended a hard-hitting road safety message at the PSNI Road Safe Roadshow on 19 November. The roadshow, supported by AXA Insurance and the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership, aims to educate young drivers about the dangers of irresponsible driving.
18 November 2024
PSNI Highlights Impact Of Serious Collisions On Victims And Officers
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is using Road Safety Week 2024 to highlight the devastating impact of serious road collisions on victims, their families, first responders, and investigating officers.
PSNI Highlights Impact Of Serious Collisions On Victims And Officers
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is using Road Safety Week 2024 to highlight the devastating impact of serious road collisions on victims, their families, first responders, and investigating officers.
22 December 2022
Thousands Receive 'Ground Breaking' Covid Treatments
In the last 12 months, almost 6,000 patients at highest risk from the effects of Covid-19 have received ground breaking treatments in Northern Ireland's Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment services (OCTs), the Department of Health has reported.
Thousands Receive 'Ground Breaking' Covid Treatments
In the last 12 months, almost 6,000 patients at highest risk from the effects of Covid-19 have received ground breaking treatments in Northern Ireland's Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment services (OCTs), the Department of Health has reported.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
