The NICE 'algorithm' does not categorise patients by age but instead asks medics to score patients on a nine-point “clinical frailty scale”, reports the Telegraph. Those with a score of less than five are likely to receive critical care, subject to a review of underlying conditions and the severity of their illness. But patients who score a five or over will be put through a process where doctors must decide if critical care is "appropriate" before proceeding. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)Cancer patients with COVID-19 or those who need dialysis must also be carefully assessed ahead of receiving critical care. In a message to staff, the hospital said it has no critical care capacity left and has contacted neighbouring hospitals about transferring patients who need critical care to other sites.

Source: Daily Mirror March 23, 2020 14:58 UTC