Group 6 - unpaid carer - Have you been offered the vaccine yet?

[DumplingsAndStew]

I've seen some areas are starting to offer to group 6 already.

Is anyone here eligible in this group as an unpaid carer and been offered it yet?

If so, would you mind saying which NHS Trust you come under?

Thanks.

If we get carers allowance, how will we be called for a vaccine? Do the DWP inform the GP??

I get CA told my GP who I’m the carer for (a while ago) Got sent text on Tuesday vaccination on Thursday.

I had mine on Wednesday following a phone call in the morning. My dh had he's this morning following a text yesterday. Ds requires 2:1 care so we're both registered as carers although only I get ca.

@Frozenintime

If we get carers allowance, how will we be called for a vaccine? Do the DWP inform the GP??

No ... it’s up to you to ask your gp to add you to their careers list.... or alternatively if you know someone who works for the nhs they can book you on via their link as long as you have evidence to show when you arrive of being a carer.....my partner took a letter with my condition on....and he was fine with that....he would still be waiting now for a GP appt

It might help people to read this, it’s the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that been sent out this weekend about how Carers will be identified and contacted, basically either by the Carers Tag on their notes, or through DWP. They are using the updated guidelines on which carers will be called, with the emphasis more on the medical vulnerability of the person being cared for than the role of Carer needing protected....

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/02/C1150-next-steps-on-the-vaccination-programme-vaccinating-cohort-6-.pdf

Just checked the booking service and it still says over 65 only

I had the text to book mine in this morning. My elderly mother in law with dementia lives with us.

Yes having it Saturday- Lancashire.

I don’t think I’m registered as a carer with my GP but when I took disabled teen DS for his vaccine last month, I was asked if I was his carer and offered one in hushed tones. Took me rather by surprise!

We’re in Essex.

I just got a text and have booked my vaccine for Thursday. I feel stupidly excited and my DC are laughing at me!

Had mine today.

Had my text today to book in

Has anyone who doesn’t receive CA, but who is flagged as carer (with no other flags on notes) managed to book via the NHS site? Are any people who are certain they have the Carers flag still not managing to book?

I’m reluctant to poke the hornets nest that is my GP practice manager....after loads of effort she eventually, reluctantly, put a ‘note on my file’, but I’m thinking she might not have flagged me. I will ring if I have to, but it will really piss her off.

@Sevensilverrings - I apparently am definitely coded as a carer with my GP. However I can’t book on the. national system.

I’ve got my appointment today and just know I’m going to have to have a big fight with them to get it. In fact I think it’s more unlikely that they will just refuse to give it to me like I’m changing my luck and getting something I’m not entitled to!

Apparently it should be 100% live by Thursday so maybe there’s just a glitch in the system?

DH and I are registered with our GPs as unpaid carers for his very elderly and frail parents. Fairly informally; we don't receive carers' allowance or any other benefits. We received an appointment through the post on Saturday and we're off to get our jags today. We're in Scotland.

Has anyone who doesn’t receive CA, but who is flagged as carer (with no other flags on notes) managed to book via the NHS site? Are any people who are certain they have the Carers flag still not managing to book?

I have a few good friends who work and don't get CA but have children with SN and are coded as carers and they booked without problem on the website.

If you are unsure, check with GP. I have been coded as a carers for well over a decade but my code was removed last week as I don't get carers allowance despite working only a few hours as I care for my DC with complex needs. Seems some surgeries manage the vaccine lists by inviting carers from their system when they are not receiving carers allowance.

I won't get a vaccine as part of group 6 now.

by un-coding carers (not inviting - that would be the opposite and is certainly not happening )

GP practice refused to add me without evidence of Carers Allowance - my twins both get HRC DLA but I earn slightly too much to get CA.

Waiting for the practice manager to get back to me. In my area the booking link doesn’t work for carers, although I know it does for others.

I don’t think with the National site that it’s down to coding - I think it’s down to area.

People in other areas seem to get an option to select that they are a carer - when I go through it’s only health and social care. So I think it is giving different options based on postcode and availability

I don’t think with the National site that it’s down to coding - I think it’s down to area.

I spoke to 119 yesterday as I thought I could get around the stupid GP. They told me it is linked and you can only book if you have a carer code at the GP surgery. so the website is talking to the GP systems somehow.

Sorry you are having this issue too. My DC gets HRC DLA too as they have complex needs. Just not fair esp as so many other people book easily. None of my friends who are with other surgeries are having this problem. Hope you get sorted. I have up now.

@TheAvenger

I don’t think with the National site that it’s down to coding - I think it’s down to area.

I spoke to 119 yesterday as I thought I could get around the stupid GP. They told me it is linked and you can only book if you have a carer code at the GP surgery. so the website is talking to the GP systems somehow.

Sorry you are having this issue too. My DC gets HRC DLA too as they have complex needs. Just not fair esp as so many other people book easily. None of my friends who are with other surgeries are having this problem. Hope you get sorted. I have up now.

Yeah I don’t have the head space to deal with it - if they still refuse I give up. The definition in the green book is different from that on the government website (green book says carers for those vulnerable to COVID, govt says carers for those who would be vulnerable if their carers got COVID) - it’s a complete shambles

I got a text from my GP yesterday (don’t get CA) the text had a link to book my vaccine
I’m in Manchester
I booked it no problem but when I got the confirmation email it said bring work id with you so I called the number on my text and explained I’m not nhs staff but a person carer they referred me to my gp who referred me straight back so wish me luck, I might get turned away!

I've had mine today in group 6 as "carer" to my DH who is CEV. I do not receive carers allowance.

@SinkGirl @TheAvenger try phoning your local council shielding advice line. Mine booked me in via that with no problem at all. Took our NHS numbers and then sent me an invite via email to book at the big vaccination centre. Was all sorted within 5 mins.

@FredaFox

I got a text from my GP yesterday (don’t get CA) the text had a link to book my vaccine I’m in Manchester I booked it no problem but when I got the confirmation email it said bring work id with you so I called the number on my text and explained I’m not nhs staff but a person carer they referred me to my gp who referred me straight back so wish me luck, I might get turned away!

Mine said NHS staff all over the documentation too - I phoned back to double check but they said it's fine, the centres are open to others with invites now. I took my email confirmation and passport, all was fine.