GP says “Just retire”

[MegaTime]

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?

But what about people with controlled diabetes or mild asthma they are still at risk but won't be on the shielding list or get any additional help.

15:18YangShanPo

But what about people with controlled diabetes or mild asthma they are still at risk but won't be on the shielding list or get any additional help.

This is true. It's just uncontrolled diabetes (defined as HbA1c above 75 currently) and severe asthma at present

The new list, which will have a lot more people on it than the 1.5million, are people one level down from the extremely high risk people.

OP I would follow the GP advice if I were your FIL. Get out whilst you’re still ahead.

Surely he would be better off speaking direct to his employer? Can he take sick leave, unpaid leave or ask to be furloughed?

^totally. What exactly did he want the GP to suggest? He isn’t in the extremely vulnerable shielding category and GP surgeries don’t generate the letters for people who are.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others#going-to-work

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

metro.co.uk/2020/03/20/coronavirus-uk-classed-vulnerable-government-12429701/

I plan to complain on his behalf to the practice manager

About a GP who is working 10/12 hour days, has just had Easter bank holidays and all booked leave cancelled, is being told they may need to have practices open 7 days a week and they need to go and work in hot hubs to help CV patients? Because your dad won’t speak to his employer?

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.

Yes OP, do that because the Practice Manager has nothing better to do than deal with people with trivial complaints. Are you the person on a thread yesterday who complained because the shop assistant didn’t smile?

There's lots of misunderstanding about "the letter". Op Your FIL is not in the shielding group, you cannot "maximise his opportunity to get the letter".
His GP should he able to give advice about keeping himself safe at work as he has underlying health conditions. Such as, to be fit to work if he is able to adequately socially distance.

Yes, it’s difficult. I am 79 and dh 80. Can’t get a delivery from Sainsburys as I am not identified as vulnerable. Got onto Sainsburys automated identified line for those eligable and haven’t heard for days.
They ask can I get someone else to shop for me. Well in theory yes but in practise I can’t do it as I can’t expect local people to put themselves at risk by going shopping for me when I am still able bodied. Also had I had an NHS letter. Well I haven’t as said above my hypotension isn’t classed as vulnerable though web sites say it is. The last delivery that my daughter booked a few weeks ago is due in Sunday and some of my stuff was added. After that there is little chance of a delivery. I have tried on the Asda website which I used to have. Nightly I hope to obtain something but the site is inundated and there is a queuing system so no hope theRe for as you get into it the slots have once again gone. Iceland asks if you are vulnerable but nothing there. So being as careful as I can and only going out when really need to.

Does he work for government? If not he can ask to be furloughed on 80% pay. Dm is 72 and a care worker, she just got furloughed for 12 weeks because of her age.

If not is his role essential for business continuation? He needs to speak to his employer and see if there is an option.

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 not in the vulnerable group. Millions of people have diabetes and hypertension. GPs are getting swamped with requests for these letters from people who don't need them. They are busy enough as it is. If FIL can't handle work it's reasonable to suggest he retires

Now is not the time for complaining about letters. Seriously. Now is the time for doing something constructive.

Well OP?

Pretty unanimous

the GP can’t issue ‘the letter’. What would you like them to do, with that in mind?

GPs can and do issue these letters, for people in Category C - who did not get the official letter automatically but meet certain conditions or the GP feels they should be very high risk.
However, from what your OP says, he won't qualify for one.

Disclosure - I am a Practice Nurse and I have seen the letter we issue. It is a thing, but generally up to the GPs to identify the patients they feel should qualify.

My sister is borderline due to her asthma being uncontrolled and having lung scarring. I feel she should be shielded, her GP initially agreed then changed their mind because they went by the guidance for asthma (quoted to her by email) and ignored the lung scarring, so we are a bit stuck there.

However, please don't all inundate your GP with requests for letters, they are very busy!

My father in law has in the last year had a heart bypass, been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition, has early kidney failure and diabetes. He is nearly 80.

According to his GP he doesn't qualify for the extra vulnerable status!

But luckily he has me to do his online shopping and get it collected and delivered to his door.

I think the extra vulnerable status is quite hard to get.

I'm not sure what the best option is for your FIL. The doctors comments weren't helpful, but might have been the only way he felt your FIL could isolate and still have an income.

GP's don't have the authority to put you on the extra vulnerable list.

Well OP?

Pretty unanimous

Again, none of you on here know the ins and outs of this person's medical condition so none of you know if the GP is correct or not. Not every GP is up to speed on what they can and can't do. Things are changing on practically an hourly basis at the moment. The amount of information filling our inboxes at the moment is insane. The fact is GPs do have discretion and there is another category of vulnerable people that they can write a letter for.

Disclosure - I am a Practice Nurse and I have seen the letter we issue. It is a thing, but generally up to the GPs to identify the patients they feel should qualify.

Exactly

"GPs can and do issue these letters, for people
in Category C - who did not get the official letter automatically but meet certain conditions or the GP feels they should be very high risk."

Exactly

Seems I have misunderstood that he qualifies for the letter - my fault.
We plan to see if there’s any further guidance from his employer for support on this.

Thank you for your responses.