COVID-19 advice hub
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 11 March 2020, the rapid circulation of SARS-CoV-2 has been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
This page is collates relevant guidance from NHS England, Public Health England, the UK Government, and professional bodies across the UK and beyond to support services with both the design and delivery of their pandemic response.
- For core official UK guidance, review the summary list of COVID-19 guidance for secondary care from NHS England
- Advice specific to the nursing profession is also available from the Royal College of Nursing
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) central alerting system (CAS) also issues alert broadcasts regarding COVID-19. CAS Liaison Officers should continue to monitor and disseminate alerts as needed. The MHRA has also compiled a list of related alerts to date
- To report suspected side effects and adverse incidents related to medicines, medical devices, or diagnostics for COVID-19 to the MHRA coronavirus Yellow Card reporting site
Jump to the following areas based on your needs:
- Preventing infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including:
- the vaccination programme
- infection prevention in healthcare settings
- stay at home and self-isolation guidance
- action when a case of COVID-19 was not diagnosed on admission
- Investigation, including:
- initial examination
- sampling, testing, pathology
- imaging
- Service design and resourcing, including:
- minimum operating standards for a COVID-19 patient pathway
- standard operating procedures for a priority assessment service
- relevant professional body advice and statements
- Guidance on the clinical management of COVID-19-related disease, including:
- acute care
- airway management
- critical care
- patients with specific conditions or treatment needs
- Pharmacy
- Other areas, including:
- autopsy/mortuary
- clinical trials
- dental and oral medicine
- Advising the public, including links for general advice to share
- The latest COVID-19 news from Specialised Medicine.
Prevention
- COVID-19: vaccination programme guidance for healthcare practitioners
Public Health England - New national restrictions from 5 November
Cabinet Office - Joint guidance on infection prevention and control in healthcare settings
Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health Wales, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Health Protection Scotland, and Public Health England- transmission characteristics of COVID-19
- principles of infection prevention and control
- organisational preparedness for preventing and controlling COVID-19
- infection prevention and control precautions
- standard infection control precautions
- transmission based precautions for COVID-19
- occupational health and staff deployment
- specific settings
- best practice regarding:
- hand washing and rubbing
- donning and doffing personal protective equipment
- routine decontamination
- management of blood and body fluid spillages
- facial hair and FFP3 respirators.
- New government recommendations for England NHS hospital trusts and private hospital providers
Public Health England - Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Public Health England - Guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions and discharging COVID-19 patients
Public Health England - Statement on dry skin and frequent handwashing to reduce Covid-19 risk
British Association of Dermatologists - ‘Stay at home’ guidance for people with confirmed or possible COVID-19 infection
Public Health England - Self-isolation guidance
NHS.uk
Investigation
Initial investigation
- Investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases, including case definitions
Public Health England
Sampling and testing
- Criteria for testing
- Arranging testing, who to contact and where to send
- Suspected COVID-19 cases: which samples should be taken?
- Suspected COVID-19 cases: sampling and packaging
- COVID-19 screening request form
General collection of guidance for diagnostic sampling
Public Health England
- How tests and testing kits for coronavirus (COVID-19) work
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency - Advice on histopathology frozen sections and cytology fine needle aspiration during infectious disease outbreaks
Royal College of Pathologists - Endoscopy activity and COVID-19
British Society of Gastroenterology and the Joint Advisory Group
Pathology
- Guidance for remote reporting of digital pathology slides during periods of exceptional service pressure
Royal College of Pathologists
Imaging
- Position statement on the role of CT in patients suspected with COVID-19 infection
Royal College of Radiologists
Service organisation and resourcing
- Next steps on NHS response to COVID-19 (7 July 2020), including:
- stepping back up of key reporting and management functions
- freeing up maximum possible inpatient and critical care capacity
- preparing, and responding to, large numbers of inpatients requiring respiratory support
- supporting staff, and maximising staff availability
- supporting newly announced wider population measures
- stress-testing operational readiness
- removing routine burdens
NHS England
- Drug demand–supply guidance, including:
- anaesthetic use and administration
- medicine prescribing and administration
Royal College of Anaesthetists, Association of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, Intensive Care Society, and UK Clinical Pharmacy Association
- Advice on multidisciplinary team meetings during infectious disease outbreaks
Royal College of Pathologists - Surgical colleges joint hub for coronavirus advice
Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Statement on COVID-19 and potential redeployment of pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
Clinical management of acute COVID-19-related illness
Acute care
- Management guides for specific specialties
NHS England
COVID-19 rapid NICE guidelines:
- Critical care (NG159)
- Dialysis service delivery (NG160)
- Delivery of systemic anticancer treatments (NG161)
- Delivery of radiotherapy (NG162)
- Managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community (NG163)
- Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (NG164)
- Managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults in the community (NG165)
- Severe asthma (NG166)
- Rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disorders (NG167)
- Community-based care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (NG168)
- Dermatological conditions treated with drugs affecting the immune response (NG169)
- Cystic fibrosis (NG170)
- Acute myocardial injury (NG171)
- Gastrointestinal and liver conditions treated with drugs affecting the immune response (NG172)
- Antibiotics for pneumonia in adults in hospital (NG173)
- Children and young people who are immunocompromised (NG174)
- Acute kidney injury in hospital (NG175)
- Chronic kidney disease (NG176)
- Interstitial lung disease (NG177)
- Renal transplantation (NG178)
- Arranging planned care in hospitals and diagnostic services (NG179)
- Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism in over 16s with COVID-19 (NG186)
Rapid evidence summaries:
- Acute use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for people with or at risk of COVID-19 (ES23)
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in people with or at risk of COVID-19 (ES24)
- Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for people with or at risk of COVID-19 (ES25)
- Anakinra for COVID-19 associated secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (ES26)
- Remdesivir for treating hospitalised patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (ES27)
- Vitamin D for COVID-19 (ES28)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Specific treatments:
- Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (adults and children 12 years and older)
NHS England - Dexamethasone and COVID-19
Specialist Pharmacy Service
- Interim guidance on clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) when COVID-19 disease is suspected
World Health Organization
- Clinical guidance for COVID-19, including:
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
- Clinical guide for the management of critical care patients during the coronavirus pandemic
NHS England - Use of acute non-invasive ventilation in patients hospitalised with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection
British Thoracic Society
- Statements and resources on COVID-19, CPR, and resuscitation
Resuscitation Council UK
- Guidance on the management of drugs requiring monitoring during COVID-19
Specialist Pharmacy Service
Specific patient groups and conditions
Adrenal/pituitary insufficiency
- COVID-19 advice statement for patients with adrenal/pituitary insufficiency
Society for Endocrinology
Asthma
- Advice for healthcare professionals treating people with asthma (adults) in relation to COVID‐19 (download)
British Thoracic Society
Cancer
- Position statement on coronavirus (COVID-19) for clinical oncology
Royal College of Radiologists
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
- COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia receiving TKI therapy
National Cancer Research Institute
Liver cancer
- Management of primary hepatic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations for risk mitigation from a multidisciplinary perspective
Barry A, Apisarnthanarax S, O’Kane G et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020. Published online, 5 June 2020.
Cardiovascular disease
- Guidance for the diagnosis and management of CV disease during the COVID-19 pandemic
European Society of Cardiology
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- COPD and COVID-19 for healthcare professionals (download)
British Thoracic Society
Coagulopathy
- Practical guidance for the prevention of thrombosis and management of coagulopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation of patients infected with COVID-19
British Society of Haematology - Interim guidance on recognition and management of coagulopathy in COVID-19
International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Congenital heart disease
- COVID-19 guidance for vulnerable groups with congenital heart disease
British Congenital Cardiac Association - Adult congenital heart disease and the COVID-19 pandemic
Radke R, Frenzel T, Baumgartner H, Diller G. Heart 2020. Published online, 10 June 2020.
Diabetes
- Clinical guide for the management of people with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic
NHS England - At a glance factsheet: COVID-19 and diabetes
Primary Care Diabetes Society
Fragility fractures
- Clinical guide for the perioperative care of people with fragility fractures during the coronavirus pandemic
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
Gastroenterology
- Advice for IBD & liver clinicians on identifying immunosuppressed patients for shielding
British Society of Gastroenterology and Royal College of Physicians - Advice on COVID-19 for patients with gastrointestinal or liver conditions
British Society of Gastroenterology - COVID-19: BSG and BASL advice for healthcare professionals in gastroenterology and hepatology
British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Association for the Study of the Liver - Triage guidelines for upper gastrointestinal physiology during restoration of services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Association of Gastrointestinal Physiologists - Advice on use of TIPPS as salvage therapy and the prevention of variceal bleeding during COVID-19
British Society of Gastroenterology and British Association for the Study of the Liver
Gynaecology
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) and gynaecological services
Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Management of urogynaecological conditions and vaginal pessary use during COVID-19 Pandemic
British Society of Urogynaecology
Haematology
- Care of haematology patients in a COVID‐19 epidemic
British Journal of Haematology - Managing haematology and oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: interim consensus guidance
[Australian] National Centre for Infections in Cancer
Hepatology
- Advice for IBD & liver clinicians on identifying immunosuppressed patients for shielding
British Society of Gastroenterology and Royal College of Physicians - Advice on COVID-19 for patients with gastrointestinal or liver conditions
British Society of Gastroenterology - COVID-19: BSG and BASL advice for healthcare professionals in gastroenterology and hepatology
British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Association for the Study of the Liver - BSG/BASL COVID-19 advice on hepatalogy patient risk groups
British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Association for the Study of the Liver
HIV
- Guidance for the management of adults with HIV on antiretroviral treatment (ART) during the coronavirus pandemic
British HIV Association - Coronavirus (COVID-19) and HIV statements
British HIV Association
Hypertension
Receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy
The current international consensus is that there is no good evidence that stopping ACEis or ARBs will prevent or alleviate COVID-19.
- Joint statement with regards to the treatment of patients with ACEi or ARB in relation to COVID-19
British Cardiovascular Society and British Society for Heart Failure - Position statement on hypertension on ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
European Society for Cardiology - Statement on COVID-19
International Society of Hypertension - Position statement on COVID-19 and ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use
The Renal Association UK
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
- Information for adult patients with immune thrombocytopenia in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic
UK ITP Forum, ITP
Immunosuppression
- Immunosuppressive treatments in dermatology
British Association of Dermatologists
Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Guidance for management of inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic
British Society of Gastroenterology - Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs for people with Crohn’s and colitis (immunosuppressives and 5-aminosalicylic acid [5-ASA])
Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Interstitial lung disease
- Advice for managing interstitial lung disease patients during COVID-19 pandemic (download)
British Thoracic Society
Lung cancer and mesothelioma
- Lung cancer and mesothelioma service guidance during the COVID‐19 pandemic (download)
British Thoracic Society
Multiple sclerosis
- Guidance on COVID-19 and neurological conditions, including the use of disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis in response to the threat of a coronavirus epidemic
Association of British Neurologists
Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Guidance regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA): for people who routinely use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), their families and health care workers
British Thoracic Society, British Sleep Society, Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology, Sleep Apnoea Trust Association
Ophthalmology
- COVID-19 clinical guidelines for ophthalmologists
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Paediatrics
- Paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health - Guidance for the clinical management of children admitted to hospital with proven COVID-19
Alder Hey’s Children’s NHS Foundation Trust - COVID-19 guidance for paediatric services
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Psoriasis
- Statement on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
International Psoriasis Council
Pregnancy
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advice for coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - Guidance on obstetric anaesthesia
Obstetric Anaesthetists’ Association - Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle, including further information on CO monitoring and fetal growth surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic
NHS England
Rheumatological conditions
- COVID-19 guidance
British Society for Rheumatology
Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
- Advice on COVID-19 in patients with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
Haemoglobinopathy Co-ordinating Centres
Stroke
- Adapting stroke services during the COVID-19 pandemic: an implementation guide
British Association of Stroke Physicians - Restoration and recovery of stroke services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Oxford Academic Health Science Network - Adapting stroke services during the COVID-19 pandemic: an implementation guide
Oxford Academic Health Science Network
Surgery
Transfusion
- Information and updates to help clinical and laboratory staff manage the impact of COVID-19
NHS Blood and Transplant
Transplantation
- Coronavirus: COVID-19 information for transplant professionals
British Transplantation Society
Trauma and orthopaedics
- Clinical guide for the management of trauma and orthopaedic patients during the coronavirus pandemic
NHS England
Patients taking warfarin
- Guidance for the safe switching of warfarin to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for patients with non-valvular AF and venous thromboembolism (DVT / PE) during the coronavirus pandemic
Royal Pharmaceutical Society - INR testing for out-patients on warfarin during COVID-19 restrictions
British Society for Haematology
Equipment standards
- Specification for ventilators to be used in UK hospitals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Pharmacy
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) important information & updates for pharmacists
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain - COVID-19 critical care training resources
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Other areas
Autopsy/mortuary
- Briefing on COVID-19—autopsy practice relating to possible cases of COVID-19
Royal College of Pathologists - Transmission-based precautions—guidance for care of deceased during COVID-19 pandemic
Royal College of Pathologists
Clinical trials
National
- Clinical trials applications for coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Managing clinical trials during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
NHS Health Research Authority
European
- Guidance for medicine developers and companies on COVID-19
- Call to pool research resources into large multi-centre, multi-arm clinical trials to generate sound evidence on COVID-19 treatments
- Guidance to sponsors on how to manage clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic
European Commission, European Medicines Agency, and Head of Medicines Agencies
Dental and oral medicine
- COVID-19 latest guidance for England
General Dental Council - Dental practice
NHS England
Advising the public
- Overview—coronavirus (COVID-19)
NHS.uk - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
World Health Organization - COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing
Public Health England - COVID-19: guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Public Health England
Specialised Medicine COVID-19 news
The latest news on COVID-19
COVID matters report: urgent lung cancer specialist referrals down 75% in the first wave
New and updated guidance issued by NICE on a range of topics, including COVID-19
Nuffield Trust report examines COVID-19 and the use of digital technology in the NHS
Guidance issued on the use of anticoagulants during the COVID-19 pandemic
New report: maintaining a cancer service in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
A third of patients with cancer report disruptions to their treatment caused by the pandemic
Research study examining ‘long COVID’ launched in the UK
Public Health England issues updated infection prevention and control guidance
NICE updates a series of COVID-19 rapid guidelines
Report on the health and social care response to COVID-19 published
Letter on third phase of NHS response to COVID-19 released
NHS announces £160 million funding for COVID-friendly cancer treatments
New study examines the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system
PHE publishes new evidence on the relationship between excess weight and COVID-19
NICE publishes COVID-19 guidance on arranging planned care in hospitals and diagnostic services
The Nuffield Trust issues guide to resuming health services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Priorities for health and care following the COVID-19 pandemic identified by The King’s Fund
Position paper on mental healthcare reform after COVID-19 published
New study examines the impact of COVID-19 on cancer deaths in England
Tool created to monitor the wider impacts of COVID-19 on health
Interferon beta treatment may reduce the need for intensive care in patients with COVID-19
PHE issues guidance on maintaining immunisation programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Neurological associations of COVID-19 reported
Shielding to end for the majority of clinical extremely vulnerable children
Royal Osteoporosis Society publishes guidance on care during and beyond the pandemic
For more stories, visit the Specialised Medicine news archive.