Help! Text from GP - moderate risk

[Upsidedownfrown]

On Friday I got a text addressed to my daughter (definitely for her as it used her full name) saying that their records indicate she is at moderate risk from covid complications and that stringent social distancing should be followed. Thing is, I'm not sure if it's a mistake.

I did an econsult to my gp and got a text back saying he would call me to discuss on Wednesday when he's next in.

We are good at social distancing as a family (me, dh and 3 dc) however dh works in a hospital and I work in a school. I'm only working a few hours a day, 1 week in then 1 off. But I take my children to work with me! Which isn't exactly stringent social distancing. And I'm due in tomorrow.

There's only a few things I can think of that would flag her up as moderate risk;

Was 9wks premature
Caught tuberculosis a few years ago
Has an unresolved leg pain issue which hasn't been definitively diagnosed but most likely a weak core causing extra work for the legs.

None of these really have any affect on her except the legs but we don't even see anyone for that as the physio who examined her legs assumes she'll grow out of it.

Does anyone know if any of these would flag her up? Or does it seem more likely that it's an admin error?

I know I just need to wait till Wednesday to speak to doctor but just being curious... Has anyone else had a similar message?

I’d assume tuberculosis.

I think the TB too

I'd assume TB too but.... I was the one who caught it first and dd and one ds caught it from me. I didn't get a text and neither did ds. Unless our texts are just lost in the system somewhere

Isnt tb lungs?

Maybe you and ds will get a text soon.

I’m a GP. There is no ‘moderate list’. Current list is the shielding list. Enclosed link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Those at increased risk were previously classified and on this list. On the limited info you have given, your child is not on this list. Enclosed : 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

So fine to take to work on the information you have given. Hope this helps.

Yeah tb is lungs but we had treatment and was healed years ago.

I'm honestly not meaning to drip feed but should say I spoke to gp to check I was ok to be in work due to scarring on my lungs from the tb. He said absolutely fine as it's never caused any issue.

I'm really hoping it's an admin error

Was it caught in the uk.
Really think they should look at giving all kids bcg again even just relating to tb

@Devonlulu thank you that's v helpful.

I didn't think there was a moderate risk so I was v confused when I got the message. It was confirmed as def from them. Very strange

@Keepdiatance yea it was caught in UK. They did contact tracing etc and couldn't figure out where the hell I'd caught it. They look at the specific strain and see where else that strain has been and in my city there was one specific bar where a handful of people caught it but I'd never been there and neither had anyone I spent much time with

@Keepdistance obv post above for you but apparently I can't spell today

@Upsidedownfrown for someone that age the moderate risk group pretty much mimics the group that get offered an NHS flu jab each year. Do you know if she gets offered one on the basis of a medical condition, not just because she is a child?

Nope, not offered flu vaccine for medical reasons

Tried to post a screenshot but it hasn't been put on. There's a doc here called identifying high risk patients and they talk about low risk, moderate risk and high risk coding. The mystery deepens www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/guidance-and-updates-for-gps-at-risk-patients/

There's no mystery. They're advising people who may have a vulnerability. That's their job. That's all. Doesn't mean 'will definitely get it or definitely will get very ill'.

They've identified vulnerable groups and given advice.

@MikeBaldwinsBras the mystery is that dd doesn't fit any criteria for being vulnerable to complications therefore complete mystery to me until gp calls.

Apologies for being bored and wondering if anyone else had been sent a moderate risk message. And for being curious about this apparently new risk category and what it means. I'll go be bored elsewhere

As you've been told, there is no 'moderate risk' message. And why would you think having had TB (a lung disease rare in the UK) wouldn't pose a potential risk? You had it so surely you know what TB is? What are you complaing about exactly?

I received a letter putting me on the shielding list, a text and a call from the shielding service. I have no underlying health conditions and am pretty fit. Managed to speak to GP surgery and after a while, it’s been agreed it’s an error. So if you are thinking it might be a mistake, it could be.

It sounds like your own GP have decided to write to those who are formally designated extremely vulnerable, but while sifting through patient records to locate their details, so they can call them to make check ins, have decided to write to those they regard as also having higher risk, but not sufficient to qualify for shielding, just to flag up that extra precautions would be wise.

I imagine GPs can do that if they feel it's wise. It's not therefore official or national policy, and won't entitle you to eg delivery slots, or LA food parcels, but is just advisory. Does that sound likely?

@MikeBaldwinsBras I don't think that having had tb in the past would put anyone at risk with covid because that is precisely what my gp told me. I did already say that. Sorry you missed it

@WhatwouldRuthdo it's good to hear you don't need to be shielding! Bet you were confused when you got the letter!

@perfectstorm possibly that. Or more likely a complete mistake. Just a bit crappy that it's been sent on a Fri when I can't speak to anyone over the weekend so I've driven myself mad pondering it the past couple days.

Someone on social media shared that there are scammers sending texts to people, presumably to phish.

The one they quoted was a “a person who has named you as a recent contact with you has Cv. Click here for advice” kind of thing.

Could it be possible that the “moderate risk” text is a spam one?

I work a GP surgery and as I understand it, NHS England automatically coded certain patients as at high risk of covid, but there has recently been a second wave, involving GPs and hospital consultants identifying patients in their care who they feel are vulnerable. The coding allows them to be classed as “moderate” risk. Many of these have been under hospital dermatology and haematology care. Would this apply to you?
From what you have said, I imagine it is the TB and your daughter may have had some lung scarring on a previous x-ray, which would make her vulnerable. This second wave of coding is being done by GPs reviewing patients’ records on an individual basis and it may be that you eventually receive a similar letter.