So Confused: Type1 Diabetic and Shielding

[SpiderPlant1]

Can anyone help? I am so confused as to what I am allowed to do.
Have had texts from NHS saying I should stay in until 30th June. Also texts and phone calls from my council and from a government office asking about my needs and if I needed any assistance which I was very grateful for. I have been out food shopping as a necessity but have washed hands and social distanced etc etc. My lovely hairdresser has said that she is starting up again on 4th July and I've booked an appointment with her on 8th July but I'm really not sure if I'm allowed to do this. She works from home so I could sit in her garden with a mask on and only go into her house for hair washing. What would you do? Am torn!!!! - (and desperate for a hair cut) :) :(

Are you under a diabetic team locally? My colleague was in a similar situation to you and rang the hospital for a phone consultation with the diabetic nurse which she says clarified things for her

Diabetes alone isn't a reason for shielding. Many of the initial letters were wrongly sent. If no other medical history and no transplant or immunosuppressants then unlikely you need to shield.

My 10 yr old DD is type 1 diabetic and she hasn’t been sent a shielding letter. I’m not sure what the criteria for for shielding but it seems to have been hit and miss for diabetics. I wondered if it was down other factors like weight and blood pressure.

Well if you're shielding then no you aren't meant to go shopping and no you shouldn't have your hair cut. The shielding guidance has only just changed to suggest people go for a walk and meet up with others from 2m away.

BUT it isn't enforced. If you don't want to shield then don't. Nobody can make you. Weigh up the risks yourself and decide what you want to do.

Do you have any other conditions? Type one diabetes isn’t generally a reason to shield

Have you not been able to get delivery slots for shopping?
If you've not actually been shielding (and going shopping means you haven't) then I don't know why you're bothering about whether it's "allowed". Shielding advice isn't law - you are allowed to not follow it if you want. It clearly says no face to face contact/to follow stringent social distancing if that isn't possible.

This is where my confusion lies. I had a letter from my GP (back in April) to say stay in until 30th June. I've probably been out twice a week to the chemist to pick up meds and to Aldi for essentials. I'm also on Simvastatins and blood pressure tablets but now the lockdown has eased and the level of coronavirus has been reduced from level 4 to 3 does that apply to Type1's?

@RiverCrossing Yes I am but I can't get any reply from them as my DSN is currently back working on the wards.

You'd need to speak to your GP to see if you're likely to be removed from the list. I'm an insulin using asthmatic t2, and was added purely because my hba1c has been in double figures for years.

Nothing has changed yet for shielders since the level came down - we just keep being told we'll get news 'soon'.

Again, you may be in the shielding category, but going to shops and the chemists YOU ARE NOT SHIELDING.

Diabetes alone isn't a shielding criteria. I would assume it is the diabetes in conjunction with your other medication.
But as you haven't been shielding anyway then what difference does the change in rules make?

I'm type 1 and did not expect nor did I get a letter. You must have something else going on - though blood pressure meds doesn't seem enough either. The system isn't infallible you may have been put on the list by mistake (I know I guy who's had two recent heart attacks and is on loads of meds and he isn't, which might be a mistake too). Anyway if you've been out you haven't been shielding as others have pointed out. Call your GP for clarification.

I've just re-read my texts from the NHS Coronovirus Service. It says: "You have been identified as someone who may be at high risk of severe illness if you catch Coronovirus" and then goes on to say that I'll get a letter from my GP which I have done. I'll ring my GP on Monday to see what they think. Thanks for all your help - it's just such a very confusing time for everyone.

Did you not bother reading the letter, then? I really fail to see how it's confusing.

You were told to shield so you’ve been out and about doing food shopping and going to the chemists? Wow

@NervousInYorkshire Of course I read the letter. That was then - this is now - 9 weeks later. What a stupid response :( :(

@ButtWormHole

You were told to shield so you’ve been out and about doing food shopping and going to the chemists? Wow

Beyond mince, isn't it?

I think in general Type 1s are not shielded however age, weight, hb1ac and other underlying health conditions are a factor in determining risk. Yes defo clarify with your GP.

I have Type 1 and I've not been shielding at all! We don't have to??

She can go out if she wants. There’s no law about it. Everyone can make their own risk assessments.

Absolutely @EmmelineGreen .
But claiming she's shielding while she blatantly isn't is ridiculous.

I've got the hairdressers booked for July 4th and I fully intend on going!!

Only people with Type 1 diabetes please reply. This is what I hate about Mumsnet - the dicks who throw their three penneth in without knowing what the fuck they are talking about and can't post a constructive reply when the poster is asking a genuine question. Why do you feel the need to belittle and mock a person for asking a question? That's to you @NervousInYorkshire. And good on you @paddyclampitt whether you have Type1 or not.