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<p>No specific assessment has been made.</p><p>In co-operation with the Royal College
of Physicians and the Chief Medical Officer’s team, the Association of British Neurologists
(ABN) published COVID-19 specific guidance for patients with neurological conditions,
as well as clinicians, on 22 March 2020. The guidance identified patient groups at
increased risk from COVID-19 and those for whom shielding was recommended. Early in
the pandemic, the ABN recommended a reduction in face to face appointments for non-emergency
care in services such as neurology, while maintaining essential care to protect patients.
NHS England and NHS Improvement advised the system that in-person consultations should
quickly be phased out and “should only take place when absolutely necessary”.</p><p>During
the pandemic, digital and remote general practitioner consultations and outpatient
appointments as means to support patients have become the norm across England. Providers
have been rolling out remote consultations using video, telephone, email and text
message services as a priority, including for those with neurological conditions.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have also published a range of guidance for primary
and community health service to identify, support and engage people, such as those
with neurological conditions, during the COVID-19 outbreak, including:</p><p>- the
NHS England and NHS Improvement <em>Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) standard operating
procedure: Community Health Services</em>; and</p><p>- the NHS England and NHS Improvement
<em>Guidance and standard operating procedures General practice in the context of
coronavirus (COVID-19).</em></p><p> </p><p>Copies of these as well as the ABN guidance
<em>Association of British Neurologists Guidance on COVID-19 for people with neurological
conditions, their doctors and carers</em> are attached.</p>
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