The NHS offers treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. However, the way people access this treatment is now changing.

From Tuesday 27 June, people eligible for the COVID-19 treatment will now need to contact the local NHS Community COVID-19 Treatment Service, their local GP practice, NHS 111 or their hospital specialist to be referred for an assessment for treatment.

People are eligible for COVID-19 treatment if they have not been admitted to hospital and if all of the following apply:

• you’re aged 12 or over
• if you have a condition which makes you high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• you have symptoms of COVID-19
• you have tested positive for COVID-19.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board said: “If you’re eligible and test positive for COVID-19, these treatments can really help people manage their symptoms and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill.

“If you have a condition that means you’re entitled to COVID-19 treatment and you’re experience COVID-19 symptoms, it’s important that you take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as possible.

“A rapid lateral flow test shows you the result on a device that comes with the test, and you should contact the local NHS service as soon as possible if you test positive.

“The way people access COVID-19 treatments may be changing, but it’s very much still available for those vulnerable to the virus and need extra protection, so please continue to come forward.”

The Community COVID-19 Treatment Service is available Monday to Friday. You can contact to make a self-referral by calling 07775752740 or by email.

Those with an email address should share this with their GP and any other NHS care providers so they can be contacted quickly with new information. If you are at high risk of COVID-19 and eligible for treatment, it’s a good idea to keep lateral flow tests at home.

You cannot report a result from a test you've paid for, for example from a supermarket or pharmacy. You can order them from the GOV.UK website. For more information on COVID-19 treatments, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website.