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Original poster

Vaccine - unpaid carers

284 replies

Florelei · 20/02/2021 12:39

Is anyone else having significant problems with their GPs? I am registered as a carer with them and asked them yesterday if I was included within group 6.

They said they wouldn’t be putting anyone forward as a carer in group 6 without either evidence of carer’s allowance or a carer’s passport from the council. I can’t claim carer’s allowance as my earnings are just over the threshold even though I only work part time.

I rang the council who didn’t know what I was talking about.

Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any tips?

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:
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Angel2702 · 20/02/2021 15:02

Yes send the template from carers UK the criteria is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance Or main carer for a disabled or vulnerable person.

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/register-as-an-unpaid-carer-with-your-gp-template-letter

Original poster
Florelei · 20/02/2021 15:14

Thanks @Angel2702 I have sent that it but they are having none of it.

I have a call due from the practice manager on Monday and if this doesn’t work, I’ll get onto my MP.

OP posts:
Frozenintime · 20/02/2021 15:14

I rang my surgery and they said no, only people who are actually employed as carers

Original poster
Florelei · 20/02/2021 15:19

@Frozenintime - but they are wrong. Getting them to understand they are wrong is a whole different matter though!

You don’t have to be in recipes of carers allowance to qualify. You must have to be the main carer for someone vulnerable to covid whose health would be at risk if you caught covid and couldn’t care for them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Florelei · 20/02/2021 15:20

Receipt rather than recipes! 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Frozenintime · 20/02/2021 16:08

But the GP's don't know unless the DWP tell them? And many carers will not have informed their GP as unaware (as I was)

McFarts · 20/02/2021 16:15

@Frozenintime

But the GP's don't know unless the DWP tell them? And many carers will not have informed their GP as unaware (as I was)
You dont have to be claiming carers allowance to be a carer, many carers work fulltime and also care for a loved one fulltime, but earn to much to claim carers allowance or choose not to claim it.
Kitkat151 · 20/02/2021 16:22

Contact your CCG if they won’t add you as a carer

MrsCalypsoGrant · 20/02/2021 16:23

Definitely take it further if the practice manager isn't helpful. This is not a matter for GP discretion - the guidance is clear and you do not have to be in receipt of Carers Allowance to qualify. My surgery have accepted I am in group 6 on this basis. I rang Carers UK initially for advice and they were fantastic, they told me they have heard of cases of pushback from GPs like this and they want to be kept informed of it. I rang them back to update when my surgery were helpful and positive. Don't hesitate to call Carers UK for help or support OP. Good luck.

Tiktokersmiracle · 20/02/2021 16:26

@Florelei

Is anyone else having significant problems with their GPs? I am registered as a carer with them and asked them yesterday if I was included within group 6.

They said they wouldn’t be putting anyone forward as a carer in group 6 without either evidence of carer’s allowance or a carer’s passport from the council. I can’t claim carer’s allowance as my earnings are just over the threshold even though I only work part time.

I rang the council who didn’t know what I was talking about.

Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any tips?

Many thanks in advance.

I have a thread linked to this where my GPS receptionist referred to me as a bully for calling to ask the very same.

It's about time the NHS actually had a universal system for the Vaccine, some places in the country are doing people in their 50s already and carers, some are refusing the unpaid carers. It's ridiculous.
It's like they think we want a day out, I'm dreading it as I'm massively needle phobic and know I'm potentially going to feel like shite for a couple of days. But I also know I need to have it to protect DP and DS.

You cannot win with the NHS.

Angel2702 · 20/02/2021 16:28

Does the person you care for have any disability benefit to show their care needs? Are they at the same surgery as you? Easy for them to cross reference their notes with consent and have you added to their notes as a carer.

Wigeon · 20/02/2021 16:30

They are wrong. Unpaid carers don’t have to be in receipt of carers allowance to qualify under cohort 6 for the vaccine. You can refer them to page 11 of Chapter 14a of the Green Book (a GP will know what this is), which gives the detail on the “unpaid carers” criterion:

“Those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable”

Green Book is here.

Frozenintime · 20/02/2021 16:35

I get carers allowance and am hoping DWP will let the GP know.
Just typing a letter up now to hand in to GP on Monday morning

rosie39forever · 20/02/2021 16:37

I'm having a problem too, I'm full time carer for my dd who has high rate PIP for care and mobility, I'm also in receipt of carers allowance. I'm registered as a carer at the practice and have a free flu vaccine and carers health check every year and still they are adamant that I'm group 9 not 6. My dd is 17 and has severe and pervasive learning disabilities and they won't book her in either it's so unfair when my friends 27 year old healthy student dd has been invited to get her today.

Angel2702 · 20/02/2021 16:43

@Frozenintime

I get carers allowance and am hoping DWP will let the GP know. Just typing a letter up now to hand in to GP on Monday morning
No they won’t they should have a form on their website to fill in to have it added to your notes.
Original poster
Florelei · 20/02/2021 16:45

Thanks everyone, @Tiktokersmiracle - I’m the same. I faint when I have bloods taken and hate needles puncturing my skin.

@Angel2702 - yes she gets PIP higher rate. We worked quite closely with the GP to get her award when she was switched over from DLA a few years back so they know what care I give her. Also, she is a patient at the same surgery and I deal with all her medical stuff with them.

It’s just surreal. I really appreciate everyones help. I’m finding that this stressful. It’s been stressful enough worrying about covid and passing it on to my
Mother.

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 20/02/2021 16:52

Gosh this is awful!
Our Drs sent everyone a message stating that if you are a career or a “informal ” career, please fill in a form and you will be included in group 6. I filled out the electronic form on Sunday, got my link by text to book the appt on Wednesday and DH and I had the vaccine today. The Dr only asked for the name and DOB of the person we are caring for, (MIL has cancer so we are helping with shopping, taking her to appointments etc) .

I hope all those struggling to get appointments do so soon. GPS really shouldn’t be acting this way.

Sevensilverrings · 20/02/2021 16:59

If anyone’s interested, the NHS should be releasing the SOP for cohort 6, and this should specify how unpaid carers will be identified. It’s thought this will be a few different ways, ie Carers tag on GP notes, a campaign to get Carers to self identify, and possibly via DWP for Carers who claim allowances or local Carers organisations that people are signed up with.

In practice, at the moment it varies from the likes of Nottingham where you can book yourself as a carer via the queue website, or practices like mine where I’ve had to get advice and send them highlighted verse from the Green Book and CarersUK, and even then I’m not sure I’ve I’m on the list because my practice manager is a cow and didnt like being very gently corrected. (I was so polite I practically dripped sugar, and she was still horrible). The upshot of this is my highly anxious adult Autistic son will not step outside in case it kills Mummy.

Sevensilverrings · 20/02/2021 17:00

(The SOP was meant to come out this past week, but I can’t find it, so don’t think it’s released yet)

frippit · 20/02/2021 17:09

Yes, I've spoken to drs reception twice and been told it's only paid carers. Apparently it's up to admin to get back to me and their managers are not in until Monday. I've emailed the admin team and my Dr. They are supposedly getting back to me on Monday.
I receive Carers Allowance but all unpaid carers qualify.
If I lived in Notts I could have had my jab last week. I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall. It's very frustrating. I'm determined to keep at it though until I get my jab.

XenoBitch · 20/02/2021 17:11

My mum had her vaccine today on account of her being an unpaid carer for her dad. He died in 2019. It was her GP who got in touch with her to book it.

Whichjab · 20/02/2021 17:14

Can you get in touch with a charity that is involved in the issues around the person you care for? I'm in group 6 (have now been told to shield) but I'm also a carer and I've been contacted by the support charity who said they will help me if I need to query my group with the docs. (In fairness they have been great and I've had my jab today)

Nacreous · 20/02/2021 17:14

@Sevensilverrings

(The SOP was meant to come out this past week, but I can’t find it, so don’t think it’s released yet)
It's not out yet, it's late and my life will be a lot easier once it's released so I am hoping it will be soon!
Whichjab · 20/02/2021 17:15

Also the vast majority of carers don't get carers allowance as we need to work to keep roof over our heads!

DinosaurDiana · 20/02/2021 17:17

My trust have opened up to unpaid carers where the carer or cared for are in receipt of allowance.
I would advise you all to follow your GP surgery and local NHS trust on Facebook. They are putting info on there.

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