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Original poster

GP says “Just retire”

44 replies

MegaTime · 02/04/2020 14:24

My FIL works part time in the post industry.
He has high blood pressure, diabetes and is almost 70.
He lives with 2 other relatives that are also high risk and 1 of them is currently showing symptoms so entire house is self isolating.
His job entails close proximity to other staff (large team) and he is very worried about exposing himself after going back, and infecting the members of the household too.
He’s technically in the vulnerable group but hasn’t received the letter from NHS.
He called his GP regarding this to see if a letter could be provided. He’s also been particularly anxious and stressed at this due to the worry of exposure.
However his GP said he couldn’t arrange for this letter and told him to “just retire”.
I’m so angry and find this statement both unacceptable and unprofessional.
My FiL very much enjoys his job and had no intentions to retire.

I plan to complain on his behalf to the practice manager, but I’m unsure on how to approach this and want to maximise this opportunity for the letter.

Any suggestions please?

OP posts:

MrsWolf2 · 02/04/2020 14:30

How is he technically in the vulnerable group that should get the letter? From what you’ve said about him it seems like he’s high risk but doesn’t have a condition on the list for getting a letter, so even though the GP could have been nicer about it, maybe they have a point.

Ragwort · 02/04/2020 14:33

Surely he would be better off speaking direct to his employer? Can he take sick leave, unpaid leave or ask to be furloughed? I don’t think GPs can be expected to provide ‘sick notes’ at the moment .

whitesoxx · 02/04/2020 14:39

His employer is expected to provide a safe environment to work in. As this isn't happening he should explain his concerns and health issues and ask to be furloughed.

If he was meant to get a letter he would've got one.

ShellsAndSunrises · 02/04/2020 14:47

He doesn’t sound like he qualifies for the letter, and GPs don’t have the authority to issue him one anyway.

He’d need to talk to his employer about what can be done to make him feel safer. Can he afford unpaid leave? He could ask if he can be furloughed, but if there is work available, technically his employer shouldn’t. Martin Lewis has suggested some employers may, for issues like this, or childcare issues. It might be worth an ask.

The comment from the GP was unnecessary and not overly helpful, but perhaps the GP misunderstood and through the was struggling with work overall. I’d be cautious about complaining to vehemently right now, regardless - they’re dealing with a lot, everyone is, but especially healthcare workers.

SeriouslyRetro · 02/04/2020 14:51

I think if he was meant to get the letter he would have had it. Being in a higher risk group doesn’t qualify you for the letter to shield from society for 12 weeks, only certain vulnerable people have received it.

GrumpyHoonMain · 02/04/2020 14:52

He wouldn’t qualify for the shielding lettrr with those conditions or his age. Even my Dad who has heart failure doesn’t qualify. Those letters are reserved for the most sick - your dad is not doing anyone any favours by asking for it. With his conditions and at his age daily exercise is vital to avoid making things worse.

Wingedharpy · 02/04/2020 14:56

Sorry OP - you're wrong.

From what you've described, your FIL is not in the "extremely vulnerable" group as outlined in the

"Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from Covid 19".

The GP is right.

Please don't waste the surgery's time and energy submitting a complaint.

Don't you think they have enough to do just now without this sort of stuff?

I understand that he's worried and anxious, but so are the rest of the population.

Holdingmybreath · 02/04/2020 14:57

GPS don't write the letters anyway.He needs to speak to his employer.

Makeitgoaway · 02/04/2020 14:59

There are lots of people with additional health issues who aren't in the officially shielded group, ie don't get a letter. Whilst the conditions you list mean he is advised to take additional precautions he wouldn't get a letter. We have allowed those people to stay at home wherever possible but there is no obligation to do so. FIL needs to discuss this with his employer.

Holdingmybreath · 02/04/2020 14:59

Just reread.If someone in the household has symptoms then entire household shoud be in quarantine.he shouldn't be going to work for 14 days.

Trees2905 · 02/04/2020 15:02

You won’t get the letter. Please don’t waste the surgery’s time more than you have done already by complaining.

Wingedharpy · 02/04/2020 15:03

Holding - OP says that the entire household is self isolating.
FIL's concerns are around when he returns to work.

dontdisturbmenow · 02/04/2020 15:03

So he demanded a GP appointment of the phone to ask for something is not entitled to, probably insisted, and he is surprised the GP snapped?

Not the most political thing to say, but he does have a point and under stress, people tend to say it as it is.

Stellamboscha · 02/04/2020 15:03

Ik is a person who as soon as aheard there was a ' letter' started browbeating her surgery to provide one. They (quite rightly) didn't buckle to pressure. Wouldn't we all love three month off paid!

ArriettyJones · 02/04/2020 15:04

He’s technically in the vulnerable group but hasn’t received the letter from NHS.

Do you mean he is in a group on the “shielded” list?

If so, concentrate on asking the Practice manager for the letter, and don’t get into complaints about the GP. At least not now. It’s a stressful time for HCPs and you will just put their backs up.

Makeitgoaway · 02/04/2020 15:04

Personally, I think people in this group need to be a bit careful with their demands on employers. What happens if this goes on long term without a vaccine? Are they technically declaring that they are indefinitely unfit for work?

I understand their concerns but I don't think any employer could afford to have a large section of their workforce indefinitely paid to stay at home or that that would be a reasonable expectation of them. Once conditions like asthma and diabetes are included, that encompasses an awful lot of working people.I do think employers should be as accommodating as possible for this 12 week period but what happens after that?

YangShanPo · 02/04/2020 15:04

Sadly there is little support for those in the vulnerable but not very high risk group. His employers do have to ensure that he is protected by correct social distancing measures . Is it possible for him to follow G P advice and retire? It may be better to be a bit short of money than risk his health.

whitesoxx · 02/04/2020 15:05

"I plan to complain on his behalf to the practice manager, but I’m unsure on how to approach this and want to maximise this opportunity for the letter."

What do you mean by maximise this opportunity? What do you want from it?

The GP can't just hand out letters. He isn't in the category for one anyway. It's not unreasonable to offer a solution (consider retirement) to your FILs concerns. That's what GPs do!

JustMySize · 02/04/2020 15:06

Jaxhog · 02/04/2020 15:08

There are lots of people with additional health issues who aren't in the officially shielded group, ie don't get a letter.

It's shit. We don't get priority for delivery slots so have to compete for these with perfectly able-bodied people. We just have to take extra risks. I know, I'm in the same group.

But he'll be wasting his GP's time. There are hundreds of housands of us in this group, unfortunately.

Makeitgoaway · 02/04/2020 15:09

Retirement would be a sensible suggestion for anyone in their 70s requesting GP evidence for a long period off work, surely? Obviously, it's up to FIL if he does it or not, but it's not, in itself, an unreasonable suggestion.

Haggisfish · 02/04/2020 15:11

He should ask to be furloughed.

Makeitgoaway · 02/04/2020 15:12

It's such a large group Jaxhog, it's impossible to provide the recommended protections for them all. There are 4m diabetics and 5.4m asthmatics alone in UK.

Namechangervaver · 02/04/2020 15:14

Sadly there is little support for those in the vulnerable but not very high risk group.

This isn't actually true. So much misinformation on this thread from people who have no idea what that are talking about

Individual GP surgeries have been told by CCGs to identify patients they think need to be given a letter to shield that aren't in the initial high risk group. In some cases CCGs are doing it on surgeries' behalfs.

There is specific criteria for this, though, and hypertension isn't currently one of them. Uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c above 75 is, though.

The guidance is changing every day

ACertainSupermarket · 02/04/2020 15:16

I'm sorry he enjoys his job and wasn't planning to retire.
A pandemic does change things.
Please do not complain. He is alive and well. Going to work could certainly stop this being the case. Your GP gave good advice.

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