As part of the UK response to Coronavirus, Covid Medicine Delivery Units (CMDU) were established across the country to deliver outpatient based therapeutic treatments for Covid-19. These treatments are clinically proven to improve patient outcomes and reduce Covid-19 related hospital admissions. Most importantly, patients can access the medication from a Community Pharmacy rather than Secondary Care.
Patient Care Locally has been successfully delivering this service in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland as part of the Covid Vaccination Programme.
The service involves three components which can be commissioned separately or as one complete pathway.
Northants Patient Care Locally is currently in the process of launching this service across Northamptonshire ICB. This service commenced on June 17th, 2024. We are also in discussions with other East Midlands ICBs regarding the service with a vision of providing an East Midlands CMDU service.
Whilst the service does not release any cost savings to the system, it is estimated that £1.2 million per year of costs are being avoided because patients are being kept out of hospital.