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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Letter from the government to people on the vulnerable list.

41 replies

ALongHardWinter · 04/04/2020 10:34

A good friend of mine seemed rather surprised that I didn't receive one! In all honesty,it never even crossed my mind that I would. I AM registered disabled (I have osteo and rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints and have mobility problems),but I don't suffer from diabetes,COPD,asthma,heart problems,or any of the other conditions listed.
I admittedly do struggle with shopping,especially as I don't drive. But I'm not vulnerable in the sense that I am at higher risk of having complications or dying if I caught the virus.

What I am trying to say is,I think of myself as 'disadvantaged' rather than 'vulnerable'. Am I right to be surprised that she thought I would be receiving this letter?

OP posts:
JRUIN · 04/04/2020 10:50

I have severe asthma/suspecte COPD and I haven't received a letter, so not sure how it works tbh.

Lessstressedhemum · 04/04/2020 10:52

I've no idea how it works. My dad has leukaemia and hasn't had a letter. So, I've no idea who counts as vulnerable if he doesn't.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 04/04/2020 10:52

I’ve had a letter, I have Psoriatic Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis and Fibromylagia.

I have to be shielded because the medications I take are immunosuppressants, not because of the conditions themselves.

Cohle · 04/04/2020 10:54

Yes, it seems odd to expect a letter if you don't have any of the specific conditions listed.

There are many vulnerable people who do not fall into the extremely vulnerable shielding category.

Yabadee · 04/04/2020 10:56

I have one too. Only because I take azathioprine and amgevita though, both immunosuppressants for Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. My cousin has UC, and didn’t get one. She isn’t on any medication for it right now.

Yabadee · 04/04/2020 10:56

I was praying I didn’t get one tbh, but think the aza decided it

clairethewitch70 · 04/04/2020 10:56

My mum had a letter. She is on immunosuppressants for rheumatoid arthritis and has bronchiactasis quite badly.

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2020 10:59

As far as I know the letter was only sent to those MOST at risk, i.e. blood cancers etc where there is a very high risk of death from Covid19 due to severely impaired immune system.

iVampire · 04/04/2020 11:00

I have leukaemia, so I know a bit about how this one is handled - everyone with any type of leukaemia irrespective of what treatment, should be shielded (ditto for lymphomas and myeloma), unless they person has had a successful bone marrow transplant which was more than 6 months ago and also they no longer need any medication

I suggest your DFather gets on to his haematology team and GP to get a letter sorted out. He can also self refer to the Hub (need NHS number to do this) but I don’t know how long it takes for that sort of application to be processed,

Blood Cancer UK (new name got Bloodwise) should be able to provide further pandemic advice for those with blood cancers

junecat · 04/04/2020 11:01

My Dad has heart failure and COPD and hasn't received a letter but his GP called and told him he must shield as he's vulnerable.

AmelieTaylor · 04/04/2020 11:02

@Lessstressedhemum. It’s all laid out very clearly on the Govt website, who is in the shielding list (and will get help) & those who are in the vulnerable list (who won’t get help). Many in the vulnerable list should be shielded, but won’t be because then half the NHS & other keyworkers would need to be shielded & we’d be further in shit street with the NHS & the economy. It’s part of their ‘balance’ - not ideal.

Your Dad might need to register himself on the list. Not all GP’s have got letters to the correct people

heather19771210 · 04/04/2020 11:03

I work in a GPs surgery.
Our letters were only sent this week as I'm the Data Administrator and it's my job to do practice searches and send letters etc and I was self isolating.
The search criteria and checks are extremely specific ie only certain immunosuppressant drugs or combinations are included, certain asthma pts with multiple emergency admissions in the last year and certain blood cancers or pts undergoing chemo.
That being said our GP partners have asked that anyone who did not get a letter and think they should have can have a telephone consultation and they will make a clinical discretionary decision on an individual basis.
This may be worth doing if you think you should be included.
Stay safe.

Ifartglitterybaubles · 04/04/2020 11:05

My mum got a letter, she has stage 4 lung cancer.

Freddiefox · 04/04/2020 11:12

Are you on methotrexate? I think you should have received one as it’s an autoimmune disease

trappedsincesundaymorn · 04/04/2020 11:18

DP didn't get one as his condition is not on the "approved" list. His doctor has said that DP needs to be shielded...DP was in hospital last year as a simple ear infection caused him to have a seizure lasting 3 hours, so getting THE bug would not end well for him. Doctor has said that Epilepsy should be on that list as the majority of seizures are caused by high temperatures and NOT flashing lights.

beautifulteeth · 04/04/2020 11:21

My Aunt received the letter

She now is being treated for suspected Covid 19.

Sad
Original poster
ALongHardWinter · 04/04/2020 11:23

No,not on methotrexate. I was tried on it but it made me keep being sick.

OP posts:
AmelieTaylor · 04/04/2020 11:25

@beautifulteeth -sending her much love & strength 💕

Coldilox · 04/04/2020 11:53

@iVampire my dad has chronic leukaemia (CLL, not sure what the other L stands for). Not currently being treated. Should he be shielding? He didn’t get a letter

purplegirl13 · 04/04/2020 11:57

I am in the shielding group, not specifically because of the condition but due to the immunosupressants I've been taking for years to treat

Thingsthatgo · 04/04/2020 12:00

My mum is on methotrexate, but has not received a letter. She called her GP but they didn’t seem to understand what she was talking about, and kept asking if she wanted a sick letter for her work (she’s 75!).
I’ve filled in the online form for her, but she’s 200 miles away, and I don’t know what else to do to help.

Thighmageddon · 04/04/2020 12:06

I'm on methotrexate and a biologic and I've not had a letter.

If you look on the BRS website then it gives clear guidance as to who should be shielding and who just needs to follow strict social distancing.

FourTeaFallOut · 04/04/2020 12:06

I got a letter based on the asthma drugs I'm on. I was unsuprised that I was considered vulnerable but really surprised I was considered amongst the 1.5m extremely vulnerable people. I do find it odd tbh, it is just pride messing with me but this extremely vulnerable tag in any other context seems ridiculous and so other to me that I feel like a fraud.

iVampire · 04/04/2020 12:08

Coldilox

The wording says: ‘ people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment’

So yes, CLL looks as if it should be on it. Perhaps he should contact his GP or haem unit and ask?