Warning as an end to free LFDs designed to leave unpaid caregivers and the elderly without a “safety net” –

CAMPAGNE warned that clinically vulnerable patients will need to “revert to some form of protection” in April after routine access to the free lateral flow test is completed.

Cancer patients, transplant patients and people with disabilities such as Down syndrome who are at high risk of complications from Covid will only be able to order LFD testing materials if they are registered with the NHS as suitable for antiviral treatments against disease.

Meanwhile, unpaid caregivers who care for sick or elderly relatives will need to purchase home test kits as they are not covered by the free supplies that will be priority for hospital and hospice staff.

A pack of five LFDs costs around £ 12.

Caregivers described the decision on Twitter as “surprising” and said it “highlights all the sacrifices made by unpaid caregivers during this disaster.”

The move comes after the UK government withdrew funds for the test, which the Scottish government opposed.

Jo Nove, interim managing director of Myeloma UK blood cancer association, which represents around 2,000 patients in Scotland, said it is “absolutely crucial” that clinically extremely vulnerable people, their caregivers and family members continue to have access. to the “safety net”. Free LFDs.

“Without access to free asymptomatic tests, many will feel they have no choice but to return to some form of protection and will have to limit their contact with others.

“In the meantime, friends and family will have to bear the burden of not being able to pay for a test, which could expose them to Covid-19.”

It has been suggested that LFDs would continue to be available free of charge to all adults over the age of 75, but this is not the case.

It is also unclear whether LFDs will be widely available after April 18 for professional home caregivers, mostly employed by municipalities or private service providers.

The Scottish government has said that the priority of social care “will continue to be tested in long-term accommodation for the elderly, such as nursing homes”.

Tests for other social care personnel, including unpaid caregivers, are “subject to ongoing clinical review.”

In Scotland, free LFD stocks for the general population will no longer be available in pharmacies at the end of March and online from April 18.

They will be temporarily available until the end of April for close contacts of a positive case, but from 1 May the kits will be distributed to NHS hospital staff, health workers, visitors to nursing homes and hospitals and tests “for the ‘clinical assistance’. .

According to the “Transition Plan” released Tuesday by the Scottish Government, the latter will be limited to preoperative tests for patients in need of hospitalization and for those “eligible for antiviral therapy”.

This covers a wide range of conditions, including cancers, HIV, kidney or liver disease, Down syndrome, organ and stem cell transplants, and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease.

Antivirals have been shown to significantly reduce Covid hospitalization rates for patients most at risk, provided they are taken soon after the onset of symptoms.

HeraldScotland: Patients eligible to receive Covid antivirals due to conditions such as MND will be able to continue ordering LFD supplies from April if they develop possible Covid symptoms.

Patients 12 years of age and older who believe they may be eligible should contact their local health board for an evaluation.

Those deemed eligible will be able to continue to use the online or home telephone ordering channel for free LFD deliveries which should be used should they develop possible symptoms of Covid.

Patients who report a positive LFD will either receive a home delivery of oral antivirals which they can start taking immediately or will make an appointment at the hospital for an infusion of monoclonal antibodies.

Antiviral treatments and vaccines are seen as the main line of defense against Covid as testing has been halted.

HeraldScotland: Nearly 600,000 LFD test results - positive and negative combined - reported in Scotland in the week ending 13 March

Community PCR sites will close from May 1, after which people with possible symptoms of Covid in the general population will no longer receive the PCR test.

Although they are still advised to stay at home, if they are on a low income they will not have access to free LFDs to monitor contagion or self-isolation support grants.

Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday said he understands that people with immunocompromised or other high-risk conditions are “concerned about the high rate of cases at a time when regulations are relaxed,” but stressed that “vaccination provides protection. very important”.

The second boosters will be available for immunocompromised patients starting in mid-April – coinciding with the end of the universal LFD offer – the charging jacks will be available for those over 75 from next week.

Residents of retirement homes have started receiving their money since last week.

Immunity is waning in seniors with the virus and concerns are growing that 75-year-olds have accounted for 35% of Covid hospital admissions in recent weeks.

Many will now be far less protected from hospitalization than at Christmas, when most people over 75 were recently cleared.

After four or six months, the protection drops from 80-95% to 75-85% in the first three months.

HeraldScotland: (Source: Public Health Scotland)

The second boosters can only be given 24 weeks after the previous dose, but will give people over 75 “more confidence to go out in their daily lives,” said Brian Sloan, CEO of Age Scotland.

A Scottish government spokesperson said the high level of immunity to vaccination and new Covid treatments means Test and Protect will now “focus on protecting people in riskier environments and supporting patient treatment and care.”

We will also monitor the prevalence and risk of new variants while ensuring we can respond to outbreaks and future health threats.

“Free sitters continue to make a great contribution as they have been through the pandemic and will have access to free LFDs as long as we ask them to prove themselves.

“Our testing for social care pathways has been guided by clinical guidance and will be continually reviewed during the transition period.”

Source: Herald Scotland

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