Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
Thread gallery
5
Frozenintime · 24/02/2021 17:24

I already booked it yesterday online because GP surgery were no help.

vickibee · 24/02/2021 17:28

I am an unpaid carer in band 6 but my go practice has run out of vaccine and they are still vaccinating band 5.
I earn just over the threshold for cares allowance and have a 14 yo autistic son who relies on me
I looked at the nhs booking online and it said I am not eligible to book and will have to wait for my age group, over 50s

rosie39forever · 24/02/2021 17:29

@Wigeon
I was told by my GP that the vaccine was only licensed for over 18 when I enquired about a vaccine for my 17 year old dd, is this something else that they are ill informed about?

Wigeon · 24/02/2021 17:34

@rosie39forever - Pfizer is licensed for over 16s, AstraZeneca is licensed for over 18s. See here. It could be that your GP only had AZ, so technically they are right, although most GPs are still getting a mix of Pfizer and AZ.

Zarabara123 · 24/02/2021 18:53

@vickibee I had the same problem but 119 can do it

rosie39forever · 24/02/2021 18:58

*@Wigeon•
Thank you dd has a history of anaphylaxis and allergy so perhaps will have to wait for the az to be approved or an alternative as the Pfizer may be a bit risky for her.

vickibee · 25/02/2021 07:43

@Zarabara123 I rang 119 this morning and was declined an appointment because I am not in receipt or Carer allowance, my son gets dla but apparently that is not proof you are a carer.

TheAvenger · 25/02/2021 07:47

[quote vickibee]@Zarabara123 I rang 119 this morning and was declined an appointment because I am not in receipt or Carer allowance, my son gets dla but apparently that is not proof you are a carer.[/quote]
The Gp needs to code you as a carer. Speak to rh GP. the system will let you book then.

Willyoujustbequiet · 25/02/2021 07:51

I've just booked on the nhs website. All I needed was my NHS number. I'm in my 40s with no health conditions but in receipt of carer's allowance.

Zarabara123 · 25/02/2021 07:58

@vickibee I have got my gp to code me in their system, but I couldn’t book online even with that. I might have got lucky with the call handler, or she might not have understood and booked me as a paid carer (hope not as I was very clear about the fact I’m not) in which case I might get turned away tonight! I’ll let you know!

vickibee · 25/02/2021 08:00

I have informed my go that I am a carer weeks ago and they said they had updated my records.

TheAvenger · 25/02/2021 08:03

@vickibee

I have informed my go that I am a carer weeks ago and they said they had updated my records.
I'd check again. 2 weeks ago I was a carer and have been removed now. there is a drive to remove carers to deny them the vaccine. I was only taken off once we got to group 6 even though I have been a carer for over a decade.
Sirzy · 25/02/2021 08:04

I think the if you don’t get carers then it will need to be booked via the GP system when they reach that point where you are. There seems to be two separate systems going alongside each other

Lougle · 25/02/2021 08:10

I asked my GP surgery to code me, which they did. Then I was able to book online.

Original poster
Florelei · 25/02/2021 08:11

@TheAvenger - have you checked online this morning? I couldn’t book online until today. I think there has been some glitch.

Otherwise, I’d complain to ccg, mp and anyone else I could think about.

I hope you get sorted. This is the last thing carers need.

OP posts:
TheAvenger · 25/02/2021 08:14

Flo, no I cannot book. it's a coding issue as I don't get CA and GP confirmed my removal.

redbedled · 25/02/2021 08:30

I am a unpaid carer and got the text for the vaccine.
Deffo follow this up
It's not right !

redbedled · 25/02/2021 08:30

Also I don't receive any carers allowance and it's not a office caring role.

Original poster
Florelei · 25/02/2021 08:40

@TheAvenger - that terrible. Have you been in contact with the CCG to complain? I read another post on here that a poster got their vaccine wafted complaining to the ccg.

OP posts:
Original poster
Florelei · 25/02/2021 08:40

After not wafted

OP posts:
Lougle · 25/02/2021 08:42

@redbedled

Also I don't receive any carers allowance and it's not a office caring role.
As long as you provide 35 hours of care per week to the person, and they receive DLA at middle/higher rate or PIP, then you are eligible for carers allowance, even if you can't receive it due to income/overlapping benefit.
vickibee · 25/02/2021 08:48

I explained this to the call handler but got the impression how easy reading off a script and wouldn’t budge

TheAvenger · 25/02/2021 09:06

@Florelei

After not wafted
have emailed this morning but not hopeful . think I will wait toll the summer now.
Pinkycheeks · 25/02/2021 10:22

Unpaid Carer here, called 119 - she would book me in (20 miles away) but said they might turn me away as I don’t get CA. She was really nice, said I should wait a couple of days then try again. I’m going to call GP surgery and ask there ( even though there’s a massive announcement on their website saying don’t call) Unpaid carer is a tough job.

Tiktokersmiracle · 25/02/2021 13:55

So after the conversation with the other receptionist, I sent our dates of birth and a scan of our DLA letter- she said it didn't matter that it only has DS and DP names on it as we will be linked in the system. She said their admin/vaccine woman would see it yesterday as soon as sent and she would probably be told to call us yesterday or today to arrange an appointment for their clinic on Saturday.
So sent it at 11am yesterday.

Heard nothing so called this morning.

They truly are fucking useless.

First receptionist I get through to was the one who called me a bully. So she starts huffing and sighing about how she's "told me before (to) wait my turn".
I explained that she had indeed, but her colleague had kindly explained exactly what I needed to do and had checked as per guidelines whether it was on the system for DP or me as DS carer. That she had told me I needed to email and send proof of his DLA.

She then said that was "news to her" and she "doubted" I'd been told that. She then said "for goodness sake I've had enough of you, wait and I'll put you through to someone else".

Charming!

The next one asked for my details and said I had obviously not sent the email. They didn't have it. It's not on their system.
So I responded that, she should have another look as I have the copy of it in my sent box so I can prove it was sent.
She magically found it then. But it's not been out on the system. And the woman who puts it on the system isn't there today. She "might" do it tomorrow.
She wouldn't let me book a vaccine for Saturday as it's not on the system. Even though she found it and said yes that should be enough.

I'm just speechless. They are genuinely doing everything they can to block DP and I having it. It's like these self important, self appointed secretaries have decided that I've proven their systems are shoddy so now they're going to get revenge by standing in the way of my rights to a Vaccine.
I just cannot fathom it. And again, can't email the bloody practice manager as you have to leave a message with these witches and they're not going to pass it on.
So still no clue.

Swipe left for the next trending thread