The Shielded Patient List (SPL) was a record of vulnerable patients thought to be at high risk of complications from COVID-19. NHS and social care organisations used the list to identify vulnerable patients in their local area. Once identified, these patients were sent a letter with advice on how to protect themselves and how to access NHS services when required.

The SPL consisted of a methodology and associated ruleset, a publication, and our dissemination of the data.

An updated NHS SPL was generated weekly by NHS Digital, incorporating additional patient data provided by acute Trusts and GP practices.  Each list was based on the latest version of the SPL clinical methodology at that time.

Questions about the SPL publication process should be directed to: SPLQuery@nhs.net

Full details can be found on our timings for information flows between systems page. 

To help NHS and social care organisations identify patients at high risk of complications from coronavirus, we had created specific guidance for:

• general practice
• hospital trusts
• local authorities
• other organisations, such as CCGs, NHS 111 and mental health service providers