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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:
OpheliasCrayon · 17/02/2021 17:25

@Theredjellybean

Before you all want to make formal complaints etc... Think about it.. The surgery have no evidence the op has a bmi of 40+ Whatz to stop anyone of us emailing in ht and wts to give ourselves bmis 40 to get a vaccine? The gp cannot change your priority group, it's not their fault ffs. You need to get weighed and measured... The pharmacies usually can do this and then you records can be updated and you can be moved into the right group. But ffs GPS, nurses etc are working their socks off to get vaccines done, doing tge day job as well, etc etc.... And some of you want to write formal complaint which will make yet more work for the GP. honestly I despair
I think on the whole people are suggesting ways for OP to get weighed and provide the information prior to making any sort of complaints Which is what OP has said she will try and do.
ivfbeenbusy · 17/02/2021 17:27

Covid and risk to people with high BMI has been known for almost a year now - really
Don't understand why people haven't used the last 12 months to get their BMI down.....

Take some responsibility for yourself like others have said

Okokokbear · 17/02/2021 17:27

@crossstitchingnana do you think people with this high a bmi have not tried to lose weight before? Do you genuinely think this is a new suggestion? In baffled if you do.

Also do you think that between now and I don't know, a few months time the op can lose enough weight to have a significant impact on their health? Really do you?

Also do you know the op had a) not lost weight to get to a bmi of 40? Or b) is not losing weight? I don't think you do you?

ineedaholidaynow · 17/02/2021 17:30

I was in Boots yesterday they had a sign there saying you could have your BMI checked, would that be any help

Dancingalong · 17/02/2021 17:30

Boots have machines that measure your weight and height and give a print out. I used the one in our local store when in their last week as I do every 6 weeks as don’t like to have scales in the house. Could you do this and send a picture of the print out as confirmation?

DarceyDashwood · 17/02/2021 17:32

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rainbowunicorn · 17/02/2021 17:32

@Butterfly44

All those talking about clarity. The original post was certainly not clear, her later posts were. Quite a few questioned it, not just one person.
It really could not have been more clear. She states clearly that she is entitled to be in Group 6 due to her BMI but that her doctors surgery say they can't move her current group which is 9.

Why, when the OP writes perfectly clear and concise post do some posters not read it properly, get the wrong end of the stick and blame the poor OP for it.

They could just accept that perhaps they, in their rush to answer did not understand the question, because they did not read it properly.

Original poster
Watchingbehindmyhands · 17/02/2021 17:34

Right. Well, just found a loophole - I claim DLA for my son which, if I’m reading it right, means I can be vaccinated. They just want evidence of the DLA which I have. Appointment booked for Friday.

OP posts:
Seriouslyconfused3 · 17/02/2021 17:35

@Theredjellybean my advice to complain was not in regard to the wrong grouping but rather the way in which the op keeps being dismissed

Tiktokersmiracle · 17/02/2021 17:35

@Watchingbehindmyhands

Right. Well, just found a loophole - I claim DLA for my son which, if I’m reading it right, means I can be vaccinated. They just want evidence of the DLA which I have. Appointment booked for Friday.
Where did you find that? DP and I receive DLA for our son, high rate, so does that mean we should be able to have it?
rainbowunicorn · 17/02/2021 17:35

@ivfbeenbusy

Covid and risk to people with high BMI has been known for almost a year now - really Don't understand why people haven't used the last 12 months to get their BMI down.....

Take some responsibility for yourself like others have said

I don't understand why people have not used this 12 months to try and not be so judgemental and perhaps try and be a nicer person, but there you go.

Where does OP say that she is not currently losing weight?

Oblomov21 · 17/02/2021 17:36

This is easy to resolve you just need to be firm. Don't take no for an answer. I'd book a GP appointment. They'll update your records and make the vaccination appointment there and then. If they waiver, be firm and ask if they are refusing and you'd like that noted on the records. They won't if you say something like that.

Wingingit15 · 17/02/2021 17:37

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rainbowunicorn · 17/02/2021 17:39

@Watchingbehindmyhands

Right. Well, just found a loophole - I claim DLA for my son which, if I’m reading it right, means I can be vaccinated. They just want evidence of the DLA which I have. Appointment booked for Friday.
So pleased that it has worked out for you in the end. Just unfortunate that so many people had to have a go at you rather than help.
Seriouslyconfused3 · 17/02/2021 17:40

@ivfbeenbusy it’s clearly a conspiracy. The op has been gaining weight for the last year to bump her up the queue obviously.... Hmm

Akire · 17/02/2021 17:42

I’m glad you have managed to find a way as a carer. The point is some areas are totally rubbish. You clearly are a risk they can’t just ignore that and say well we can’t do anything. Someone’s life or long term disability could depend on it.

It’s easier to pay someone to assonate my GP than to get to speak to them. Endless bookings via their website which just tell you to seek urgent advice from themselves and will not let you book appointment Because it’s urgent.

mootymoo · 17/02/2021 17:43

I got my group changed by the practice manager but that was due to being a carer. If they don't know your weight then im not sure they will take your word for it, and the difference is maybe 3 -4 weeks.

AtiaoftheJulii · 17/02/2021 17:46

@1forAll74

I was just wondering about the vaccine, and age groups etc, I had my first vaccine on Monday, I am 78, I asked my son about having the vaccine for him, as he will be 50 in August, he is paralysed from the chest down after an accident years ago, so has to be in a wheelchair of course. I thought he would have been offered the vaccine by now, but no notification at all as yet. I have asked him to contact the GP now,to see what they say.
@1forAll74

I had to check this for someone and contact their GP - he should be in group 4 or 6 I think.

www.spinal.co.uk/news/coronavirus-shielding-vaccination/

Original poster
Watchingbehindmyhands · 17/02/2021 17:48

DP and I receive DLA for our son, high rate, so does that mean we should be able to have it?

It seems so. I couldn’t quite believe it but I read it carefully and you have to be in receipt of one of relevant benefits they list and be able to prove it. It was on my local hospital’s Facebook page.

OP posts:
ExpulsoCorona · 17/02/2021 17:49

Call up. Ask for an appointment with the Health care assistant (not GP or nurse) for weight management. Go in for the appointment. The HCA will weigh you and code it on your notes. The computer system will then automatically change your group.

likeamillpond · 17/02/2021 17:52

@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.
I would have put it more gently , but i agree. You say you are in relatively good health and sound as if you also have age on your side. Why not use the next couple of weeks to cut down portion sizes, increase excercise through maybe extra walking? I know it's not easy. I'm on levo for low thyroid but I've managed to lose 3 stone just by cutting portion sizes and increasing my excercise. Good luck!
MewlingQuims · 17/02/2021 17:52

@DarceyDashwood

What a lot of unkind arseholes there are on this thread
You can't be anything but white, healthy and middle class on here lately.

So many judgmental arseholes having digs about weight when they know fuck all about the OP or why her BMI is high. At a time when everyone is going on about problems with mental health being through the roof you'd think MN would show a bit more tolerance and kindness. It's so easy to just not say anything and scroll by to a different thread but then I suppose they don't get their little boost from being a judgmental twat from behind their screens..

RuthW · 17/02/2021 17:53

A bmi of 40 puts you in group 6. You are due the vaccine now.

RuthW · 17/02/2021 17:55

@Watchingbehindmyhands

No, it would appear they don’t have my weight on record.
Well ask them to put it on or go and get weighed. That's what I would do if you were our patient.
islockdownoveryet · 17/02/2021 17:56

What I’m getting at is why are people querying the group you’ve got your vaccine appointment go .

We will all have it eventually so why query it .