Shielded Patient List

Between March 2020 and September 2021, the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) identified and regularly reviewed the underlying clinical conditions for which people should be considered at high risk of complications from COVID-19 infection.  

NHS Digital developed a clinical methodology, a ruleset to identify patients who met these clinical conditions based on coded information in their health records. This methodology was updated as appropriate to reflect the guidance provided by the CMOs. 

NHS Digital created and maintained a Shielded Patient List (SPL) for England. The SPL included patients registered for healthcare in England and identified nationally using the clinical methodology, as well as patients routinely identified as at high risk by their General Practice or hospital specialist. Patients considered at high risk were also referred to as clinically extremely vulnerable. The list was updated weekly from March 2020 to September 2021. 

As part of the government’s shielding programme, the SPL was used by specific partner organisations across the NHS and government to provide advice, guidance and support to help people at high risk to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection during and between periods of national restrictions.

Visit The National Archives for more information about the Shielded Patient List.