A clinically extremely vulnerable mum, who shielded for months during the pandemic, has said no-one cares if she dies, after she claimed she was denied promised antivirals when she tested positive for Covid.
Caroline Lea was vomiting and sat on her bathroom floor when she got the devastating news that she was not sick enough to have the lifesaving drugs, which are given to the most poorly in the UK if they catch coronavirus.
The former school teacher had previously received a letter from the Department of Health informing her the country would need to "live with Covid".
The heart-wrenching letter informed her - and others who had been shielding - that they would have a safety net, while everyone else returned to "normal".
She, like millions on the CEV list across the country, was sent a PCR test to keep at home.
The mum-of-three was told if she tested positive for Covid, the NHS would send her antivirals that must be taken within five days.
Having tested positive on Sunday morning, Caroline called NHS 111 and was referred for antivirals as expected.
But when she didn't hear back and feeling worse than ever, she chased the Covid Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU), and was given the news that she reportedly didn't meet the criteria.
Caroline, 44, has severe asthma, had been taking steroids well above the 10mg requirement, and course after course of antibiotics for the last seven months for a chest infection.
She also had sky-high inflammatory markers, and many clinicians confirmed all the factors meant she was entitled to have the antivirals.
Caroline from Eastleigh, Hampshire, told the Mirror: "On Monday, my chest was hurting, the pain in my head was so bad I was slurring my words.
"I was a mess. It was absolutely devastating and I was heartbroken.
"The antivirals are supposed to prevent serious illness and death, to be told I couldn't have them felt like no-one cared if I died.
"I was really concerned, I didn't know what way this was going to go, and they wouldn't give me something that could stop it. I was so distressed."
Caroline was most concerned that getting seriously ill could mean she would end up in hospital, with no-one left to care for her three children Jamie, 12, Mia, eight, and Leila, three.
Jamie and Leila have autism, while her youngest daughter also has global development delay, meaning she is non-verbal and behaves like she is just 18 months old.
By late on Monday, Caroline's home oxygen meter was reading just 86 per cent - most healthy people have a reading of 98-100 per cent and patients are advised to seek medical help if it drops to 95 per cent.
She added: "I have no-one at home who can look after my children. I know the best thing is to go to hospital but I can't leave my children. Leila needs attention 100 per cent of the time."
Caroline has begged for help and even took to Twitter to ask for advice from doctors and people in the vulnerable group.
She said the response from clinicians was that her local CMDU has misinterpreted the guidelines and other patients reported also being denied the drugs they were expecting while in a similar position to her.
Caroline added: "I don't see why we can't have the antivirals. Is there a shortage? Are they too expensive? Being hospitalised would cost the NHS a lot more.
"They promised vulnerable people we would be protected.
"I am so shocked and upset about how I’ve been treated, to be denied the only safety net in place to protect me is unbearable.
"I hope that by speaking out, this will help others to get this much-needed medication instead of also being denied."
Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's chief medical officer, Dr Lara Alloway said: “We are sorry for any confusion and distress caused, our teams are in close conversation with those involved in this case and will continue to provide support to them.
“All patients considered for anti-viral interventions are reviewed by a team of clinical experts who assess the eligibility of patients based on strict national guidelines and criteria set by DHSC, alongside the patient’s own unique set of needs and circumstances.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has also been approached for comment.
In England, 3.7million people were on the clinically extremely vulnerable list, according to the Office of National Statistics.
Data from the ONS showed that despite shielding officially being paused back in April 2021, when asked more than a month later 43 per cent of the CEV population reported continuing to shield.
Tim Gibbs, Head of the Public Services Analysis Team at the ONS, said at the time: “Our results today show almost half of those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable reported continuing to shield despite government advice to do so being paused.
“This isn’t surprising considering the higher risk Covid-19 poses for this group.
“Given this, I’m pleased to see the majority of those in this group have had two doses of the vaccine, offering them some protection from the virus.”
Anecdotal reports showed that many of those who shielded at the height of the pandemic were still living a restricted life today.
