These guides are aimed at specialists working in hospitals in England during the pandemic. They aim to help departments continues essential care for patients while supporting the wider hospital and community to provide care for people with COVID-19.
The areas covered are COVID-19 treatment, adult critical care, accident and emergency, medicine, cancer, surgery, children and young people, obstetrics and gynaecology and palliative care.
Please find below a list of clinical resources spilt by therapeutic area which are being updated regularly.
Therapeutic Areas
| Publication | Summary | Date | |
| Gastroenterology | |||
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Gastrointestinal and liver conditions treated with drugs affecting the immune response |
NICE rapid guideline published 23rd April 2020 |
23 April 2020 05 May 2020 |
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| Cardiovascular | |||
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Cardiovascular system disorders |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and cardiovascular system disorders |
26 June 2020 | |
| British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) and British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) joint statement on ACEi or ARB in relation to COVID-19 |
'There is no evidence to support the assertion that treatment with ACEi or ARB could predispose individuals to adverse outcomes; and that both organisations share the view of the European Society of Hypertension and the Renal Association that patients should continue treatment with ACEi and ARB unless specifically advised to stop by their medical team' |
19 March 2020 | |
| NHSE & NHSI Speciality guide for the management of anticoagulant services during the coronavirus pandemic |
This guidance provides advice for the safe switching of warfarin to NOACs for patients with non-valvular AF and venous thromboembolism (DVT / PE) during the coronavirus pandemic. It also provides guidance on whether switching is appropriate, how to switch, and NOAC monitoring and counselling. However locally we advise if switching to a NOAC from warfarin, the preferred NOAC is edoxaban |
31 March 2020 | |
| Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) management of patients currently on warfarin during Covid-19 |
This page gives advice on the management of patients taking warfarin in primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic |
01 April 2020 | |
| Supply of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) during COVID-19 | During COVID-19 an NHSE guideline advises that patients requiring initiation with an anticoagulant should be prescribed a NOAC, rather than warfarin, wherever clinically appropriate in order to reduce the requirement for INR testing - edoxaban remains our first choice for NVAF patients.
|
10 June 2020 | |
|
British Cardiovascular Society: COVID-19 Clinician's Resource Hub |
The BCS is working together with our Affiliated Societies and following Public Health England advice to provide COVID-19 clinical guidance for the UK cardiovascular community |
29 June 2020 | |
| Respiratory | |||
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Respiratory disorders |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and respiratory disorders |
26 June 2020 | |
| Alternative inhalers due to shortages |
Local guidance for prescribing alternative inhalers during stock shortages related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Information on switching to alternative steroid containing inhalers. |
03 April 2020 | |
|
NICE rapid guideline published 23rd March 2021 |
23 March 2021 |
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NICE rapid guideline published 3rd April 2020 |
03 April 2020 07 April 2020 |
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Community based care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
NICE rapid guideline published 9th April 2020 |
09 April 2020 | |
|
NICE rapid guideline published 9th April 2020 |
09 April 2020 | ||
| BTS has produced information, guidance and resources to support the respiratory community during the COVID-19 pandemic | 06 April 2020 | ||
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MHRA April 2021 - Inhaled Budesonide for Adults (50 Years and Over) with COVID-19 |
A Covid-19 Therapeutic Alert CEM/CMO/2021/011 issued alongside an interim position statement. Inhaled budesonide is not currently being recommended as standard of care but can be considered (off-label) on a case-by-case basis for symptomatic COVID-19 positive patients aged 65 and over, or aged 50 or over with co-morbidities, in line with the published Interim Position Statement. |
13 April 2021 | |
| Central Nervous System | |||
| Psychotropic medication and COVID-19 in Primary Care |
Guidance produced by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Includes general advice, advice on lithium monitoring, and management of lithium patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 |
31 March 2020 | |
| Infection | |||
| NG191 Therapeutic for COVID-19: Antibiotics |
Do not use antibiotics for preventing or treating COVID-19. Antibiotics should only be used if there is strong clinical suspicion of additional bacterial infection
|
23 March 2021 | |
| Endocrine | |||
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Endocrine system disorders |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and endocrine system disorders |
26 June 2020 | |
| Derby and Derbyshire CCG Diabetes COVID briefing |
DDCCG guidance to ensure all patients with type 1 diabetes has access to blood ketone and glucose testing strips and emergency hospital helpline numbers |
02 April 2020 | |
| NHS England and Improvement - Diabetes COVID-19 key information |
People living with diabetes are more likely to be self-isolating or shielding themselves at home during the pandemic. The way hospitals are also delivering care is changing. This guidance has been co-produced (with the London clinical networks) to support the delivery of diabetes care in London during the pandemic. It also includes sick day rules for type 1 and type 2 diabetes |
06 April 2020 | |
|
NICE rapid guideline published 15th May 2020 |
20 May 2020 | ||
| How to manage HRT provisions without face to face consultations during COVID-19 healthcare restrictions |
The Primary Care Women's Health Forum has produced a useful tool for primary care practitioners to support HRT provision using telephone or virtual consultation during COVID-19 pandemic. The document includes a detailed checklist and HRT prescribing tool and is endorsed by the British Menopause Society. |
17 June 2020 | |
|
Kidney Care UK - Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for patients with kidney disease |
The latest news and information about COVID-19 for kidney patients |
29 June 2020 | |
| Obs, Gynae and Urinary tract | |||
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Obstetrics and gynaecology | This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and obstetrics and gynaecology |
26 June 2020 | |
| FSRH CEU clinical advice to support provision of effective contraception during the COVID-19 breakout |
FSRH CEU clinical statement published 20th March 2020 |
12 May 2020 | |
| Nutrition and blood | |||
|
Local guidance for managing Vitamin B12 (Hydroxocobalamin) injections in primary care during the coronavirus pandemic. |
Updated 04 May 2021 | ||
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NICE rapid guideline published 17 December 2020 |
17 December 2020 23 March 2021 |
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| Musculoskeletal and Joint Disease | |||
| Specialist Pharmacy Services guidance on the management of drugs requiring monitoring during COVID-19 |
SPS guidance on the management of drugs requiring monitoring during COVID-19. To determine the level of risk to rheumatology patients of COVID-19 and advice on what precautions to take please refer to these risk stratification guide and scoring grid for rheumatology which will help identify which precautions patients should take; shield, self-isolate or social distance at patients discretion or maintain social distance due to their level of risk. |
01 April 2020 | |
| NICE evidence summary on NSAIDs / Ibuprofen |
NICE Evidence summary states that no evidence from published scientific studies was found to determine whether acute use of NSAIDs is related to increased risk of developing COVID-19 or increased risk of more severe illness. The available evidence suggests that, although the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs reduce acute symptoms (such as fever), they may either have no effect on, or worsen, long-term outcomes, possibly by masking symptoms of worsening acute respiratory tract infection. The Commission of Human Medicines Expert Working Group on COVID-19 has concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence to establish a link between use of ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs, and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 or the worsening of its symptoms. Patients can take paracetamol or ibuprofen when self-medicating for symptoms of COVID-19, such as for fever and headache. Usual cautions and contraindications for NSAIDs still apply. |
22 April 2020 | |
|
Rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disorders |
NICE rapid guideline published 3rd April 2020 |
03 April 2020 07 April 2020 |
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The British Society for Rheumatology and other partners have published this guidance that relates to musculoskeletal (MSK) service provision across primary, community and secondary care and is applicable to adults and children. The use of steroid medication is one of the management options for a range of MSK conditions and in particular rheumatic conditions, and this guidance aims to assist decisions on the use of such medication during the pandemic. |
22 June 2020 | ||
| Eye | |||
| Ear, Nose and Oropharynx | |||
| Advice for people experiencing voice problems after COVID-19 | The British Voice Association has produced advice to help vocal recovery for people who as a result of COVID-19, may experience some temporary changes to their voice and to their comfort and effort levels when using it. | 12 May 2020 | |
| Skin | |||
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NICE rapid guideline published 9th April 2020 |
09 April 2020 22 April 2020 |
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| End of Life | |||
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Palliative and End of Life Care |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and palliative and end of life care |
26 June 2020 | |
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NICE rapid guideline published 23rd March 2021 |
23 March 2021 |
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| Derbyshire Alliance for End of Life Care2 |
Toolkit designed collaboratively by professionals who work across Derbyshire to help teams plan and deliver care for people in their last months, weeks and days of life |
31 March 2020 | |
| British Geriatric Society: guidance on end of life care in older people |
The British Geriatric Society has produced a resource collating guidance on end of life care in older people in the context of COVID-19 including specific advice for end of life care for patients with COVID-19 who have dementia |
11 August 2020 | |
| NHS England SOP for children and young people with palliative and end of life care needs |
SOP for children and young people with palliative and end of life care needs who are cared for in a community setting (home and hospice) during the COVID-19 pandemic |
11 August 2020 | |
| Miscellaneous | |||
|
Specialist Pharmacy Services drug monitoring: factors to consider during COVID-19 |
Background information and factors to consider for drug monitoring during COVID-19 | 01 April 2020 | |
| East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) letter supporting the preservation of cancer services |
This letter details the role of the EMCA to support the preservation of cancer services as best as possible during this pandemic and to ensure an agreed consistent way of working so that patients receive the best and most appropriate care in accordance with guidance |
30 March 2020 | |
|
NICE rapid guideline published 1st May 2020 Includes advice on managing underlying conditions and modification to usual care |
06 May 2020 | ||
| NHS Education for Scotland - Management of Acute Dental Problems During COVID-19 Pandemic |
Patients should be encouraged to manage their symptoms at home where possible as treatment options are severely restricted at this time. Mild and moderate dental symptoms should be managed remotely by providing advice and analgesics and/or antimicrobials where necessary. |
12 May 2020 | |
| Dexamethasone in the treatment of COVID-19 |
Dexamethasone has been demonstrated to have a clear place in the management of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. There were no excess harm identified in using this dose of dexamethasone in this patient population. Clinicians should therefore consider dexamethasone for the management of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 who require oxygen or ventilation. Out of hospital treatment is not appropriate. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and MHRA have announced restrictions of dexamethasone on parallel exported from the UK. View the full export parallel ban list here. |
18 June 2020 | |
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Policy, Commissioning and Managerial |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to Policy and Commissioning during the coronavirus pandemic |
26 June 2020 | |
| SPS Summary of COVID-19 medicines guidance: Allergy and immunology |
This page summarises and signposts to medicine related guidance from professional and government bodies relating to coronavirus and respiratory disorders |
26 June 2020 | |
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NICE rapid guideline published 27th July 2020 To help healthcare professionals deliver efficient planned care while minimising the risk of COVID-19 in the context of increasing or decreasing local prevalence. The guidance also aims to help patients make decisions about their planned care |
27 July 2020 | ||
| Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (adults and children 12 years and older) |
Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy published 6th November 2020 In response to the public health emergency posed by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), NHS England, working with the Devolved Administrations (DAs), has established a rapid policy development process to aid clinicians in offering best care and advice to patients with or at risk of COVID-19 across the UK. This document sets out the interim clinical commissioning position for the use of remdesivir for patients with COVID-19. |
06 November 2020
23 March 2021 |
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NICE rapid guideline published 18 December 2020 This guideline covers identifying, assessing and managing the long-term effects of COVID-19, often described as 'long COVID'. |
18 December 2020 | ||