Self employed care worker and refused a vaccine

[Lovemusic33]

I am a self employed care worker, working as a support worker in metal health, currently working with someone that is unable to tolerate me wearing PPE and they are on tue vulnerable list.

I called my gp to ask about getting a covid test and was told "we are not vaccinating self employed carers" i was advised to try a mass vaccination site (there isn't one in my area).

So as a self employed carer I do exactly what someone from a agency would do except I am not wearing PPE, but im not entitled to a vaccine.

I have 2 disabled children at home (I only work part time) and am a single parent. If anything happened to me the dc would have no one. Im seriously considering stopping work as without the vaccine I have no protection.

If you’ve got two disabled children at home are you registered with your gp as an unpaid carer? You will get the vaccine in group 6 if so, which will be very soon

@Cloudsurfing

If you’ve got two disabled children at home are you registered with your gp as an unpaid carer? You will get the vaccine in group 6 if so, which will be very soon

I’m not sure if I am, I did try and tell them on the phone but they didn’t want to listen, seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of me. Told me to try going to a mass vaccination centre but didn’t tell me where or if I would even get a vaccine if I went there.

Group 6 might not get vaccinated until May?

Where do you accept referrals from? Is it Social services or health? who pays you?

I think you’re going to have to wait until group 6 are vaccinated. That’s currently where unpaid carers are
You could try contacting your MP but I’m not sure there’s much you can do until your time comes along.

It must be a worry.

@Lovemusic33 the target is all groups 1-9 by May, so group 6 should get it quite a bit before then. If you’ve got an online portal for your gp You could send an enquiry asking for carer status to be added to your file.

Sorry, I think I’ve misunderstood-you’re not a carer for a family member-someone employs you?

If the GP won't vaccinate you, then they also won't have marked your records as eligible, so how do they propose you get vaccinated by the mass hub if you are not marked eligible?

Are you able to just turn up at a hub, because you can't book anywhere unless the GP has marked you eligible.

Or have I misunderstood? I am in a not dissimilar position and it would be helpful to know.

There are some GPs who are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer numbers to vaccinate and trying to limit those on their lists. But I didn't realise you could go to the mass hub separately?

Purple I think OP.is an unpaid carer to her two disabled children.
She also offers a service as a self employed carer, with private clients. These private clients sometimes can't cope with their carer wearing PPE.

OP in the meantime email into your GP surgery asking them to note your carer status wrt your children.

@PurpleDaisies

Sorry, I think I’ve misunderstood-you’re not a carer for a family member-someone employs you?

I am self employed working for mental health/sn patients, one of my clients has psychosis and paranoia (but also has a health condition) so I can’t wear PPE around him, I’m working in his home.

So I am a paid carer as well as a unpaid carer to 2 dc with disabilities.

I’m unsure if I turn up at a mass vaccination site if I will even get offered a vaccine? The receptionist I spoke to this morning didn’t really say and was in a hurry to get me off the phone. My nearest mass vaccination centre is over an hour and half away.

@MiniTheMinx

Where do you accept referrals from? Is it Social services or health? who pays you?

I’m paid by my clients through their direct payments, they are mainly patients clients that agencies have refused to work with (for many reasons).

I'd try contacting the council I think you might have more luck with them as they are arranging vaccines for a lot of care groups eg support workers, housing workers etc.

I'm a carer who is paid through direct payments. Who organises the payments?

My local council organises the direct payments and they organised my Covid vaccination. Can you contact yours?

When did you ask your GP? Was it recently or a few weeks ago? A few weeks ago we couldn't but we can now. Each CCG has a system of mopping up care staff, which area/CCG do you live in?

They contacted my employer asking for my details. Have you checked if they've received anything?

A carer that I know had their vaccination in a centre, she said she just needed proof that she's a carer.

Failing all that you might have to just travel.

Paid carers are currently being vaccinated but you would need some kind of proof that you are a paid carer. Do you have any kind of registration? Are the council aware of you? Are you on the books of any care agencies?

Unpaid carers are being pulled into Group 6 I believe, so should be jabbed very soon. But you would need your GP to have registered that you are your children's carer.

If you just turn up at a vaccination centre it is vanishingly unlikely they will vaccinate you just because you say you're a carer.

I had mine at a vaccination centre but it required pre booking online. I'm a personal assistant but don't have photo ID as I am employed directly for the families, so I was provided with a covering letter from the organisation that is responsible for the admin of the care package.

Does your client have a social worker or care manager that you can approach to arrange a letter and where you can book an appointment?

Your GP is correct they are not doing vaccines for care workers. They are doing over 70’s and CEV. For your group, vaccines are booked via other routes. Try your local authority or the CCG.

If your clients receive direct payments via SS or CHC you could try contacting SS or CHC to see if they can arrange for you to be booked in. If any of your clients have a company manage their payments they might be able help.

I’m unsure if I turn up at a mass vaccination site if I will even get offered a vaccine? The receptionist I spoke to this morning didn’t really say and was in a hurry to get me off the phone. My nearest mass vaccination centre is over an hour and half away.

You can’t just turn up at a mass vaccination centre. Ring the GP surgery again (hopefully you might get a different receptionist) and ask them to put you on the carers’ list. Tbh I’d be complaining to the practice manager as well because the advice you were given is totally wrong.

As of this evening care workers can book online. You will need proof of employment!

@MrsFezziwig

I’m unsure if I turn up at a mass vaccination site if I will even get offered a vaccine? The receptionist I spoke to this morning didn’t really say and was in a hurry to get me off the phone. My nearest mass vaccination centre is over an hour and half away.

You can’t just turn up at a mass vaccination centre. Ring the GP surgery again (hopefully you might get a different receptionist) and ask them to put you on the carers’ list. Tbh I’d be complaining to the practice manager as well because the advice you were given is totally wrong.

I have emailed my gp surgery showing them info I have from the direct gov website saying I am entitled to a vaccination. It states that carer payed by direct payments are entitled to the vaccine. I am not paid through a company but through my clients next of kin but I can provide proof in the way of invoices and a letter from the person who pays me. And I’m registered as a self employed carer.

@ExpulsoCorona

When did you ask your GP? Was it recently or a few weeks ago? A few weeks ago we couldn't but we can now. Each CCG has a system of mopping up care staff, which area/CCG do you live in?

It was today I asked them.

@NewSummer

Thank you so much, I have managed to book a vaccine, I will get a letter to take with me from the person that pays me (through direct payments).

Excellent!