Accessing Antiviral Treatment for Covid-19
If you take any of the following: High dose Steroids
High dose Methotrexate
Biological Medications
Rituximab
Then you maybe entitled to Antiviral treatments. If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 then you need to do a Lateral Flow Test that you have obtained through the Government website: GOV.UK. Privately bought tests cannot be used as results from these cannot be registered on the Government website.
The test must be done within 5 days of starting symptoms, so as soon as you start any symptoms, even if they are mild, you should take a Lateral Flow Test. If this shows that you are positive to the virus then you must register your result on the Government website: GOV.UK and then phone:119 to tell them.
A physician will then contact you to go through an assessment to determine whether you meet the criteria for the Antiviral treatment. Not everyone taking the medication listed above will meet the criteria for treatment, so please don't expect to automatically be prescribed the Antivirals.
Please do not contact the Rheumatology Team directly for Antiviral treatment as they are unable to prescribe them. The above course of action described needs to happen for them to be given out.
Covid-19 Vaccine Information
For information on the Covid-19 vaccines the Rheumatology Team suggest looking at Versus Arthritis Website: www.versusarthritis.org
Their site covers all questions from "Should I have the Vaccine?" and the "Different types of vaccines available?" to "Should I stop my medication before having it?"
Change of Entrance to Out Patients Department
To come into Out Patients you must now use the North Entrance into the hospital, which is opposite the Children's Ward. There are a number of Disabled Parking Bays near this entrance. If you are coming by Bus and have difficulty in walking this far then please see our information below on accessing the Porter Service.
Coming by Bus or Trouble Parking When Attending Your Rheumatology Appointment
If you use the Bus to get to your Rheumatology Appointment or if you cannot get a suitable parking space in the North Car Park for your mobility needs then the Trust have advised that a Wheelchair Porter Service is available. This service can be accessed on arrival by entering the hospital through the Front Main Hospital Entrance. On entry speak to one of the volunteers at the reception desk and they will arrange for a Porter with a wheelchair to take you up to the Out Patients Department for your appointment.
This service can then be used on the way out to return you to the entrance you used at the beginning, just ask a member of staff in the Out Patients Department.
Relocation of Rheumatology Department
Unfortunately the Rheumatology Department will no longer be located in Laidlaw Day Hospital. The Team have now moved up to the new Out Patients Department.
The Out Patient Department also has an Infusion Suite and this is where all of the Rheumatology Patients will attend for their infusions.
The Team are now starting to run clinics again and as you can imagine they have a large back log of patients to get through. So please be patient with them, they are working their way through everyone as efficiently as they can. When it is your turn an appointment will be sent to you. Please do not just turn up at the Out Patients Department as the Team will not be able to see you.
The helpline is still available, please see below for the numbers.
Coronavirus Guidance From BSR
The Islands Rheumatology Team are currently following the coronavirus guidance from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR). Their guidelines are as follows:
Should patients cease their medication as a precaution?
Some rheumatology patients, particularly those on steroids and biologics, will be immunosuppressed and should therefore be considered 'high risk'. All patients should however continue to take their medication unless directed otherwise by their rheumatology team. If you are planning to start or switch to a new medication this may now need to be reviewed. Please remember patients on long term steroids should not stop these abruptly.
If you are showing any symptoms and you think you might have coronavirus or you've been in close contact with someone who has it:
Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
Dial the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do next
Should patients who become infected with the virus cease their medication?
If patients develop symptoms of any infection, immunosuppressive therapy should be paused for the duration of the infection and until they feel well, in consultation with their rheumatology team. Those patients on steroids should not stop these abruptly and advice should be sought from their treating team.
What precautions should patients be advised to take?
Everyone should be following the advised precautions as outlined by the NHS and Government Website. You can still contact the team via the usual helpline number: 01983 552218.
Please only attend the Rheumatology Department if you have been told to.
The Islands Rheumatology Team are currently following the coronavirus guidance from the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR). Their guidelines are as follows:
Should patients cease their medication as a precaution?
Some rheumatology patients, particularly those on steroids and biologics, will be immunosuppressed and should therefore be considered 'high risk'. All patients should however continue to take their medication unless directed otherwise by their rheumatology team. If you are planning to start or switch to a new medication this may now need to be reviewed. Please remember patients on long term steroids should not stop these abruptly.
If you are showing any symptoms and you think you might have coronavirus or you've been in close contact with someone who has it:
Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
Dial the NHS 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do next
Should patients who become infected with the virus cease their medication?
If patients develop symptoms of any infection, immunosuppressive therapy should be paused for the duration of the infection and until they feel well, in consultation with their rheumatology team. Those patients on steroids should not stop these abruptly and advice should be sought from their treating team.
What precautions should patients be advised to take?
Everyone should be following the advised precautions as outlined by the NHS and Government Website. You can still contact the team via the usual helpline number: 01983 552218.
Please only attend the Rheumatology Department if you have been told to.
NEW JIA WEBSITE
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society has launched a new website for children and families that are affected by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. It provides information on the condition, how it is managed and living with it. Click on the link to check it out www.jia.org.uk
MEDICATION AND DRIVING
In March 2015 new laws on driving whilst taking medication came into practice. It is now illegal in England and Wales to dive with legal drugs in your body if they impair your driving. If you are taking any of the following medication;
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine or Opiate and Opiod-based drugs, e.g. Codeine, Tramadol or Fentanyl
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
then you should speak to your doctor about driving if you feel that the medication is impairing your ability to drive. (Always read the advice leaflet with your medication before you drive as this will provide information on what symptoms to look out for).
You should be able to drive after taking these drugs if you have been prescribed them by a healthcare professional and you are taking them as directed and they aren't causing you to be unfit to drive. The goverments department of transport suggest that you carry proof of your prescribed medication with you in the car, for example a repeat prescription, in case you are ever stopped.
In March 2015 new laws on driving whilst taking medication came into practice. It is now illegal in England and Wales to dive with legal drugs in your body if they impair your driving. If you are taking any of the following medication;
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine or Opiate and Opiod-based drugs, e.g. Codeine, Tramadol or Fentanyl
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
then you should speak to your doctor about driving if you feel that the medication is impairing your ability to drive. (Always read the advice leaflet with your medication before you drive as this will provide information on what symptoms to look out for).
You should be able to drive after taking these drugs if you have been prescribed them by a healthcare professional and you are taking them as directed and they aren't causing you to be unfit to drive. The goverments department of transport suggest that you carry proof of your prescribed medication with you in the car, for example a repeat prescription, in case you are ever stopped.
