Covid-19 lateral flow testing for those at higher risk 

From 1 April 2024, the lateral flow device (LFD) tests supply service for patients potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments has been updated to include:

• people aged 85 years and over
• people with end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device
• people on the organ transplant waiting list
• people aged 70 years and over, or who have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or more, diabetes or heart failure, and are resident in a care home, or are already hospitalised.

Eligible patients can obtain a free box of five LFD tests from community pharmacy. A positive LFD result may help to determine whether the patient is referred to a COVID-19 treatment service.