C-19 lateral flow device distribution service

LFD service

Published on: 16th October 2023 | Updated on: 29th November 2023

The Lateral flow device tests supply service for patients potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments (LFD service) was commissioned as an Advanced service from 6th November 2023.This webpage contains information on and resources to support provision of the service.


Click on a heading below for more information

Introduction

The NHS offers COVID-19 treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at risk of becoming seriously ill. Prior to the introduction of this service, rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests were available to order by these patients on GOV.UK or by calling NHS 119. These kits were then delivered directly to the patient’s home.

From 6th November 2023, LFD tests will no longer be available via GOV.UK or via NHS 119. LFD tests still need to be available and easily accessible to people who are potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments through routine NHS access routes. It is estimated, that in the short-term, the number of potentially eligible patients will remain at around 3.9 million. Although access to LFD tests may be supplemented by other pathways (e.g. through anticipatory or specialist care), community pharmacy is well placed within the local community to provide local and rapid access for patients.

Access to COVID-19 community-based treatment will continue to be based on a confirmed COVID-19 infection, which can only be reliably achieved with a diagnostic LFD test, in line with some of the recommended treatment’s product licences. Given the short efficacy window for treatment and practical implications of point of care testing, tests need to be available for patients to access in advance of developing symptoms.

Read our news story announcing the new service

The objective of this service is to offer eligible at risk patients access to LFD tests to enable testing at home for COVID-19, following symptoms of infection. A positive LFD test result will be used to inform a clinical assessment to determine whether the patient is suitable for and will benefit from NICE recommended COVID-19 treatments.

A similar service was previously commissioned, which was known as the COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service (publicly known as Pharmacy Collect). However, this service was decommissioned on 31st March 2022. Information on the previous service can be found on our COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service Archive page.

Service specification and other documentation

The full service requirements are detailed in the service specification.

Secretary of State Directions 
The Secretary of State Directions provide the legal basis for the provision of the service.

Drug Tariff Determination in Part VIC of the Drug Tariff
The Drug Tariff Determination sets out the funding provisions for the service.

This is a walk-in service where patients or their representatives can collect one box of 5 LFD tests from a participating community pharmacy on confirmation that the patient is part of the potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments cohort.

The full list of eligible patients aged 12 years and over that are at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and therefore potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments can be found in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance Supporting information on risk factors for progression to severe COVID-19.

Prior to 27th June 2023, any patients previously identified as being eligible for access to free LFD tests and assessment for COVID-19 treatments were contacted by the NHS. Patients who are newly eligible for access to free LFD tests will be made aware of their eligibility by their doctor or specialist at the point they are diagnosed with a qualifying condition or commence a qualifying treatment regimen.

The pharmacy owner must confirm the patient’s eligibility for a supply of LFD tests. This could be by:

  • Seeing the patient’s NHS letter which confirms eligibility;
  • Having a discussion with the patient or their representative about the patient’s medical history, confirming they have a qualifying condition. The pharmacist or pharmacy technician may wish to review the National Care Records Service (NCRS) and then use their clinical judgement; or
  • Referring to the pharmacy’s clinical records for the service, where the pharmacy has previously seen and made a record of having seen a copy of the patient’s NHS letter confirming eligibility.

Eligible patients should only receive one box of 5 LFD tests per consultation.

Where possible, pharmacy owners should additionally seek to ensure that they are providing tests to eligible patients at appropriate intervals and requests do not exceed what is deemed reasonably required for an eligible patient, e.g. they are not supplying multiple boxes of tests over a short period.

Community pharmacies should order LFD tests through their usual wholesalers.

Getting ready to provide the service

Read the service documents

Pharmacy owners should read the service specification and the FAQs on our website so they understand the service requirements and can make an informed decision as to whether they want to provide the service from their pharmacy.


Standard Operating Procedure

Pharmacy owners must have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the service, which all staff participating in provision of the service must be familiar with and follow. This should be reviewed regularly and following any significant incident or change to the service. The pharmacy owner must ensure that all pharmacy staff involved in the provision of the service are familiar with and adhere to the SOP.

Template Standard Operating Procedure (Microsoft Word)


Brief the team on the service

All staff should be briefed on the service; a pharmacy team briefing sheet is available below, which could be used to assist with this.

Team briefing sheet for the service (PDF)


Ordering LFD test kits

Review your existing stock of LFD test kits or place an order for an appropriate number of them from your usual wholesaler.


Sign up to provide service

Pharmacy owners must notify NHS England that they intend to provide the service by completion of an electronic registration through the NHS Business Services Authority’s (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) application.


Update NHS Profile Manager

Pharmacy owners  should update NHS Profile Manager to show that the service is available at their pharmacy.


Print out paperwork

Print out copies of the data collection form.

Data collection form (PDF)

Pharmacy owners could also consider printing out the eligible patient groups list to use as a reference to assist with assessing whether a patient is suitable to access the service.

Eligible patient groups list (PDF)


Pharmacy owner checklist

Once a pharmacy owner has decided they wish to provide the service, our implementation checklist will guide you through the steps you need to take to prepare to provide the service.

Implementation checklist (PDF)


Withdrawing from provision of the service

If the pharmacy owner wishes to stop providing the service, they must notify NHS England that they are no longer going to provide the service via the MYS platform, giving at least 30-days’ notice prior to cessation of the service. Pharmacy owners may be asked for a reason as to why they wish to stop providing the service.

Funding and claiming payment

A service fee of £4 + VAT will be paid for each completed transaction of the supply of one box of five COVID-19 LFD test kits and the cost of tests supplied will be paid according to arrangements set out in the November 2023 Drug Tariff.

Pharmacy owners will need to submit their claims for payment within the MYS portal, as part of the normal month end claims process.

Claims for payment should be submitted within one month of, and no later than three months from the claim period for the chargeable activity provided. Claims which relate to work completed more than three months after the claim period in question, will not be paid.

Frequently asked questions

Visit the LFD service Frequently Asked Questions page for FAQs on the service requirements.

Resources

Archive

A similar service was previously commissioned, which was known as the COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service (publicly known as Pharmacy Collect). However, this service was decommissioned on 31st March 2022. Information on the previous service can be found on our COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service Archive page.