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Original poster

How to complain about vaccine grouping?

143 replies

Watchingbehindmyhands · 17/02/2021 14:00

So, I am eligible for the vaccine in group 6 because of my BMI (over 40). I am fortunate to rarely be ill and have very little contact with my GP. I have in writing from my GP that the groupings come from NHS England and that they therefore can’t change my current grouping of 9 to 6 as a result.

Has anyone else had this experience? Is there a way through to challenge it?

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 17/02/2021 14:12

Yes just ask to speak to the practice manager, easiest way to resolve it.

BigWoollyJumpers · 17/02/2021 14:12

NHS England get their information from your GP. If your GP doesn't have your BMI noted as morbidly obese, then you need to let them know, get yourself weighed, and get your record updated. Get an appointment with your GP or email the practice manager.

RoseAndRose · 17/02/2021 14:13

The receptionist is correct - they cannot change your vaccine priority without evidence, and at present there is nothing relevant in your notes. That is what you need to get changed

OpheliasCrayon · 17/02/2021 14:13

@Watchingbehindmyhands

Is it that easy? Just speak to the Practise Manager? I have gone round in circles with emails and phone calls and no one is able to do it for me.
Well you know you're at risk because you know your weight. And you're being refused an appointment. I think you could complain to the practice manager yes.
PuzzledObserver · 17/02/2021 14:13

Ring surgery. Ask for an appointment with practice nurse. Get her to weigh you. Confirm your BMI is over 40. Say “this means I should be in group 6 for the Covid vaccine, doesn’t it?” When she says Yes, say “Could you make sure that’s noted on my records, please?”

BungleandGeorge · 17/02/2021 14:14

Say you want your weight recorded because you should have vaccine priority. They also need to know for health promotion as some are offering free fitness classes etc which you may be interested in

rosesinmygarden · 17/02/2021 14:15

I emailed my surgery with my weight and height at the beginning of this week as embarrassingly my bmi is just over 40.

They emailed back with confirmation that they've moved me to group 6.

They can change your vaccination group.

Wingedharpy · 17/02/2021 14:15

Write/email the Practice Manager with details of your height and weight, requesting that your records be updated accordingly. State that you are happy to come to the practice and be weighed by them, if necessary.
Given that this stuff only came out yesterday, I imagine they are somewhat swamped at the moment.
Good luck.

OpheliasCrayon · 17/02/2021 14:16

@lughnasadh

Oh, my bad. Your OP was unclear.

You'll be vaccinated eventually I guess.

Get weighed?

What part of the OP was unclear?

Im absolutely baffled at how many people haven't understood the OP. Literally everything she has said has been crystal clear, yet there's someone thinking she DOESN'T want the vaccine?!

Floralnomad · 17/02/2021 14:21

You need to book an appt with the nurse to be weighed , they are not going to take your word for it otherwise everyone would be doing that to jump up the groups . If that doesn’t work then ask to speak to the practice manager .

MewlingQuims · 17/02/2021 14:22

The OP was pretty clear to me.

She should be in group six because if her BMI but because she has little contact with the GP her weight and bmi are outdated and they won't change her from group nine.

It wasn't a faux "I am never ill" it was the op explaining why the GP doesn't have her current BMI

Op sounds very much well aware of the risk to her and hence, why she is asking how she can be placed into group 6, where she should be.

TheSparkling · 17/02/2021 14:22

OP - your surgery are correct in that they can't just change the groupings. What you need to do (as another poster suggested) is get your weight recorded onto your medical record. This should automatically put you into group 6 if coded correctly.

The practice can only change someone's group by coding the reason correctly for being in that group. So this is what you need to do:

Ring surgery. Ask for an appointment with practice nurse. Get her to weigh you. Confirm your BMI is over 40. Say “this means I should be in group 6 for the Covid vaccine, doesn’t it?” When she says Yes, say “Could you make sure that’s noted on my records, please?”

So focus on getting your weight on record, check the BMI on your record and your group allocation should change automatically.

Original poster
Watchingbehindmyhands · 17/02/2021 14:24

Thank you. I have just responded via the email to ask how I go about getting my records updated. If I get no joy, I will ask to speak to the practise manager and show my paper trail.

OP posts:
Tiktokersmiracle · 17/02/2021 14:25

I'm currently in the process of arguing DPs grouping of group 9 when he has COPD. They have refused point blank to alter it because they are going on how he was 5 years ago at the point it was diagnosed. They've done naff all since then. It's a degenerative illness.
I'm also asking why, when I have a vulnerable adult and child I am an unpaid carer for, I'm not, at 39, on the list at all, when I feel I should be in group 6 with other carers. To say I will be ditching this shit pit of a gp surgery as soon as is humanly possible is an understatement but in our trust area, of you have a GP you cannot change at the moment.
I've also raised a malpractice complaint with the GMC.
I'm sick of the vaccine free for all. Why have groups of some are allowed it and others who clearly should, according to the NHS calculator, be in a certain group not.

DinosaurDiana · 17/02/2021 14:28

Can you get weighed by the practice at all, either by having an over 40 health check or maybe asking for weight management advice ?
Surely if they have that BMI on your record they have to move you ?

DinosaurDiana · 17/02/2021 14:30

@Tiktokersmiracle

I'm currently in the process of arguing DPs grouping of group 9 when he has COPD. They have refused point blank to alter it because they are going on how he was 5 years ago at the point it was diagnosed. They've done naff all since then. It's a degenerative illness. I'm also asking why, when I have a vulnerable adult and child I am an unpaid carer for, I'm not, at 39, on the list at all, when I feel I should be in group 6 with other carers. To say I will be ditching this shit pit of a gp surgery as soon as is humanly possible is an understatement but in our trust area, of you have a GP you cannot change at the moment. I've also raised a malpractice complaint with the GMC. I'm sick of the vaccine free for all. Why have groups of some are allowed it and others who clearly should, according to the NHS calculator, be in a certain group not.
Have you registered at the GP as a carer ? You would be entitled to an annual flu jab too.
AfternoonToffee · 17/02/2021 14:30

In fairness to the receptionist it is probably a big standard reply as lots of people will be trying to get their priority group changed, most of them not having a reason other than, I want it quicker.

Hope you get it sorted.

WombatChocolate · 17/02/2021 14:32

Of course they can’t change your priority grouping without evidence.

The reality is they have you down as a lower BMI than you think it currently is, because you haven’t been weighed at the Drs for ages. How can you expect the, to have anything different on their record.

Yes, you can ask for a doctors appointment. Yes you can be weighed then and there and yes they can then change your records and update your priority group, but that is very different from wanting them to update it on the basis of a phone call and no evidence.

Your request needs to be simply for an appointment with the nurse or doctor. Dont bother talking about having your priority group changed UNTIL AFTER you’ve been weighed.

WombatChocolate · 17/02/2021 14:36

Generally, they won’t change your records just if you email in a different weight or BMI. Usually you would have to be officially weighed and the BMI recorded....you can see why can’t you, because otherwise everyone would be sending in emails with all kinds of false claims to be moved up the priority list.

Dont ask to be changed. Ask for an appointment with nurse. Only mention priority groupings after you’ve been weighed.

mob21 · 17/02/2021 14:38

Could you drop in an up to date Ht, Wt to the reception and ask for this to be updated along with the new BMI onto your notes? I am not sure about your surgery but mine uses EMIS software and the coding would change automatically to group 6 if BMI over 40.

blue25 · 17/02/2021 14:38

Give them a break. Imagine if everyone starts trying to do this. Just accept where you are on the priority list & in the meantime lose some weight.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 17/02/2021 14:41

Agree with the last two posts. Get an appointment with either doctor or nurse first, then talk about groupings during/after.

GlendaBulb · 17/02/2021 14:41

@blue25
Give them a break. Imagine if everyone starts trying to do this. Just accept where you are on the priority list & in the meantime lose some weight.

^^
This, take some responsibility for yourself.

rainbowunicorn · 17/02/2021 14:43

@blue25

Give them a break. Imagine if everyone starts trying to do this. Just accept where you are on the priority list & in the meantime lose some weight.
The point is that after yesterday's announcement the OP is not in the correct place in the priority list. She needs to be moved to the one that her risk factors dictate.

She does not need to accept that she can't be moved, there has been some very good advice on this thread about how she can do that.

crankycow80 · 17/02/2021 14:45

People need to learn to read. The OP is quite clear, she's in group 9 but she should be in group 6.