Free Covid testing for the majority of the population in England ends today.
From today patients can be referred for free Covid-19 testing in order “to support clinical decisions”, NHS England has clarified.
It comes after free Covid testing for the majority of the population in England ends today. However, it will continue to be accessible for the most vulnerable patients and patient-facing NHS staff.
An NHS England Primary Care bulletin outlines the vital change.
NHS England has also clarified that NHS workers will continue to receive free asymptomatic lateral flow testing following concerns they were missing from a previous Government announcement.
Both patients and staff will be able to arrange tests from the gov.uk website by selecting the correct options.
To support a clinical decision.
The NHS bulletin explains that testing may be required to support a clinical decision and in this case referral for free testing is appropriate.
It reads, “Although the general public will not be offered COVID-19 tests routinely if symptomatic, there may be some instances where a clinician will want to offer a COVID-19 test as part of a diagnostic pathway to support clinical decisions.
“In these cases, patients should be directed to the gov.uk website to order their tests, where they will be asked to confirm that their clinician has requested this.
“High risk patients in the community identified for COVID-19 MAB / Antiviral treatment will continue to access tests from UKHSA – this will be communicated separately.”
