Shielding letter for asthma

[ThatsNotMyName123]

I've received a letter in the second phase of shielding letters.

It's from the hospital and has my name and NHS and hospital number on, so I know it's not a mistake.

Is states fo shield for 12 weeks from the date and then goes on with lots on information on coping and help available.

I work in a GP surgery, and we had a lot of patients ringing up confused as to why they had a letter as no health issues, but may of had an inhaler 3/4 years ago for chesty coughs etc, but not diagnosed or coded as asthmatic, so worried they have been triggered by mistake, and now I'm not working for 12 weeks.

Have all asthmatics now had a letter?

And are they mandatory or advisory,
meaning you can still work if you choose, knowing the risks etc?

I feel bad leaving my colleagues to work whilst I'm safe at home, as were all at risk of getting this virus.

That’s what I thought. But haven’t had a letter and GP surgery said at risk not high risk. And the trust I work for won’t allow me off work unless I’m in the shielding group.

@Chinnychinnychinnychib thank you 😊
I don't take the other controller if it's the montelukast you mean. It gave me horrendous insomnia. When I spoke to my GP he did say that is a side effect, so we agreed to stop, and refer me to respiratory as he has done all he can as a GP

@Lelophants yes it is...and bloody painful too! especially when discharged from hospital with it and not picked up for a further 24 hours!!

I had to spend a week in hospital as a consequence to be treated....

@sylbunny, that's the page that you got a few days ago, but when you go to their page now re shielding, they've removed that information completely.

www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/#Shielding

So, although I am on seretide 250, take montelukast and have had 2 lots of steroids recently I have had no letter and don't know whether to follow this up with my gp, who originally said 'just wait til you get a letter as it's nothing to do with us'. I feel that if I battle to get through I won't get anywhere.
Luckily, my school are closed and I've not been included on the rota for the hub school after expressing my concern and desire to work remotely (which only became possible once the kids were no longer there - until then I'd been going to work) so it's only going to become a concern if we open up within the 12 week window. I'm otherwise being very careful about distancing, but not shielding.

You’re pretty much the same as me DrMaxwell except I turned down the offer of montelukast in Jan as I’ve had it before and don’t think it makes a huge difference.

ThatsNotMyName123**

Apologies - the long acting bronchodilator part of the Relvar is the ‘additional controller’

RafaIsTheKingOfClay**

Register on the vulnerable persons government website and that should generate a letter that your GP will approve.

DD hasn't, she takes a high dose of steroid inhaler, is on Montelukast, has had two admissions this year alone and has had three course of pred since Jan.

I have asthma, use two inhalers including a long acting bronchodilator. I had a severe hospital admission several years ago. I haven’t received a letter. I am shielding best I can anyway (employer happy for me to work from home for the next 12 weeks and we’re doing all shopping online).

DrMadeleine I am similar to you and also a teacher. Obviously like you it affects whether my class receive a teacher or not!! I have a high dose broncholoidator (listed on the previous list) and get the flu jab but haven't had a 12 week shielding letter. I noticed that the Asthma UK list had gone too. I'm reluctant to contact my doctor particularly as they posted on facebook NOT to ask them. I've ended up emailing them politely to explain that I need to know whether to shield or not - I'm working from home at the moment but could really do with knowing how at risk I am.

This is something of interest my work. My dh hasn't who is asthmatic and I was talking to a colleague earlier whose asthma is worse than his and she hasn't either.

It worries me to hear some who haven't used asthma medicine in years get one when someone who is regularly on steroids hasn't.

@couchlover it may be worth ringing GP or better ask to speak to the asthma nurse?
The surgery I work at has been having loads of calls based around shielding.
Anyone who fits the government criteria has been advised that the fir the shielding advice. If their employer has asked for proof, we have been printing out their patient summary and giving it to the patient. They can then if they choose show it to the employer. Only one come back wanting a letter On headed paper stating his diagnosis of a heart condition for him to pass on.

I know the letters are complicated and are causing so much confusion.
It could just be that his record hasn't been correctly coded, therefore not flagging this up? Always worth a phone call with the GP

I was under the impression I would get one (fostair 200/6, allergies, prescribed montelukast, pneumonia last year and in and out of a&e for nebulisers after chest infections. Probably outing but hey ho!) However I haven’t had a letter or a text. I spoke to my GP who confirmed I won’t be getting one, although she did say that if she were me she would be shielding 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have severe brittle asthma and all 3 meds are on the asthma UK list, I haven't had a letter. Until I do I cannot stop working (key worker) and shield as I won't get paid or be eligible for furlough as it will be designated a choice not mandatory.

I have no idea where I would stand. In fact it scares the living daylights out of me.

I believe they are a strong suggestion rather than a mandatory demand but happy to be corrected

Thanks op. Thankfully for DH its not an issue as he and I are able to work from home but it’s something I will be dealing with in my job (HR and we have lots of people telling us they are self isolating for 12 weeks due to being at risk or living with someone at risk. We are currently paying full pay with no evidence required but may have to start asking for evidence and hoped we could rely on a shielding letter).

Tinyhumansurvivalist**

If you register here www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

It will generate a letter that your GP will activate if they after you should be shielded

There will be more letters coming next week or the week after. At our surgery we are expecting this to mop up some of the asthmatics .

Has anyone tried to access the NHS volunteers service for help with getting their medication delivered?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3876440-Volunteer-army-services-for-people-shielding?watched=1&msgid=95497002#95497002

I’m on Relvar 184/22 and I’ve not had a letter so it’s not because of the inhaler dose .

belly that is not correct. You can certainly be furloughed even if your workplace has plenty of work. HMRC doesn’t care why you have been furloughed, although you can’t be furloughed and in receipt of ssp. Somebody off work because they have been sent a shielding letter (or because they are supporting someone else who is shielding) can certainly be furloughed as long as they were on the payroll as at 28 February.