I tested positive on a lateral flow test this morning and managed to get the number of the local CMDU, which I rang. At first I was fobbed off as if I was already on the virtual covid ward but with some insistence the clinical nurse specialist was consulted and agreed they could take a self referral as it was the Jubilee weekend (normally it would be through the GP).This resulted in a call from a consultant a couple of hours later. Not exactly straightforward, but so far so good (I should say that I have been lucky enough to have been on the list for recipients of addition vaccines and antiviral treatments since the beginning, which I know hasn’t been the case for many).
I was a bit puzzled by the consultant’s response and was interested to compare notes with others who have been through the same process. He said that the antibody option was not now being used as a first line treatment because it wasn’t proving as effective. Therefore it would be an antiviral option which was recommended which involved “lots of tablets”. However, as my current symptoms were fairly mild he would suggest not giving these now; but if my symptoms significantly worsened, I was to ring again.
It is true that my symptoms are just like a cold at the moment, but I had thought the earlier the antiviral treatment the better? Also I had not heard that the nMabs treatment had been downgraded - unless I got the wrong end of stick which is entirely possible!
Any thoughts?
Hi @davecpep, no, no thoughts at all.
If I had been in hospital I do not think I would have thought about ringing my CMDU, I would have just left my care to the hospital, so good thinking there @davecpep
I hope you feel better soon.
Look after yourself
@davecpep Sorry to hear that news, the burgler got in! Its not puzzling me what you report. Sotrovimab has just been elavated by Gov to first line treatment to come into effect 13/6/2022 notwithstanding what correctly you were told on the front line. Indeed Its been taken off shelf in USA. As you say Paxlovid and Molnupiravir 5 days Remdesiver 7 days. Sound policy ringing CMDU. Looks like you struck lucky and got someone who seems to know what they are on about. Still the window is open do you know what they suggested if things worsened. All crossed dave.
How did you get number CMDU?
Yep, @MCA he got in before the fence was installed - hopefully he’s not armed to the teeth! Thanks for the info about the treatments - the consultant’s words make a bit more sense. His accent was a bit tricky tbh and when he seemed to be making reference to the FDA it puzzled me at the time. Looks like I’ve had the right advice though. Fingers crossed.
@davecpep spot on your man re fda In usa.
If i remember your Up North were they are on the ball.
As a Northerner myself im bound to say that
@MCA CMDUs are listed here
In my case the number wasn’t included but I got it by phoning the hospital and asking for the listed department. They did say that they would normally require a medical referral but because of the Platty Joobs … They did have all my details there and could see my eligibility, however.
@davecpep cheers that’s were I figured CMDU was I’m in SW London fairly near to St George’s. Mind you had to change specialist because they got my treatment so badly wrong hope I’m not barred.
Hi again @davecpep, do call my colleague @LauranBloodCancerUK over the weekend if you need any more support. Wishing you well. Gemma
@MCA I am in Kingston and my GP said the CMDU is at St Georges so you would be right. I was told they had no record of my positive lateral flow even though i reported it in the normal way online.
Thanks @MCA I’m not doing too badly. Just feels like a bad cold and I’m not getting noticeably worse. The antiviral pathway team at the CMDU have been helpful and have assured me it’s best if I can fight if off myself, but have told me what to look for that would indicate the need for treatment. 5 days are up tomorrow so I am anxious I’ll miss out if I take turn for the worse, though I think one of the antivirals has a 7 day window. I’ve spoken to both a consultant and a specialist nurse who are saying that they are seeing very few severe cases, even amongst the cev group, at the moment. So far so good I guess.
@davecpep Thats reassurring to hear. You seem to be getting sound advice. The system seem to be working. 
For anyone who woundered what drugs are being administered and in what proportion in different parts of the country the link is
Found this part interesting.
"How the process works
Some patients will receive a letter letting them know they may be eligible for treatment. At this stage, there is no action for the patient. However, patients are advised to accurately provide their NHS number and postcode when they register a lateral flow or PCR test. This will enable the NHS to contact them about the treatment if they test positive.
If an individual in these groups later tests positive, they will be sent a text message and email with information about next steps.
Within a day of testing positive, they will also receive a call from a CMDU to arrange a clinical assessment. This will determine whether they are eligible for treatment."
So if that is really how it works why was I sent a letter last year saying i was eligible for treatments and reported a positive test but this never got to the CMDU.
Hi @Chrispy the letter simply said you “may be eligible” not that you where elligible i had that letter myself, that part is confusing to say the least.
The system originally worked on basis of PCR test kit sent in post with special bar code identifying recipient as potentially eligible, and a call back in 24 hours
Later changed to any Lateral flow test kit supplied by NHS and reported on line
Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK.
or to 119.
Luckily not used it myself so thats as much as I know.
The next bit of gov added advice was then to ring 111, GP or consultant if nobody called within 24 hours.
I think what your Doctor said re initial call back was possibly true?
Im not sure how you reported test originally or what kind of test, but clearly the system is in need of overhaul. I have found support in Lord Mendelshon and he will be posting questions on the operation of the CMDU in the House Of Lords this week. (Government Policy Thread).
The main thing is that is sounds like you got through it which if nothing else should reassure you in future. I wish you well .
Maybe i worded that wrongly. The email said i had been identified and would receive a call about covid treatments if i reported a positive result. I am only aware of one way to report a positive result which is through the nhs login and scanning the code of the test. I ticked the box to say I took the test as i may qualify for covid treatment together with scanned bar code and a positive result. I got an email in return saying if i was eligible I would get a call. By the end of the 24 hours I was out of time as i was beyond the 5 days since start of symptoms.
Bottom line was that for me it did not go as all the nhs emails and their websites say. I have survived despite the problems.
Hi @davecpep I have been thinking of you and wondered how you are doing now.
Look after yourself