No vaccine yet, have to go to work - scared

[RhubarbCrumbling]

Hi
I am group 6 due to 5 separate factors of all are which are group 6 alone. I shielded 2020 until Aug 1st after official letter telling me to. A Gp has manually removed me from shielding which is did not know about so no vaccine for me yet and was not considered in the recent who shall we add to Shielding list due to manual removal.
Receptionist will not let me speak to a Gp, saying no mistake made and to wait my turn. I have a feeling I will be bottom of group 6 jab list now!

I have to go to work on Mon with no PPE, and no vaccination, other colleagues with one condition have had their vaccination due to postcode lottery. I was hoping for a jab before school started on 22nd. I have to be in school every day with teenagers due to nature of my job now I am not on SPL.

Am so scared.
I have been very ill in hospital with in HDU twice and resus once in last few years with normal illnesses that seem to have affected me badly due to my conditions.

Cannot get signed off work as no access to anyone medical as they are too busy to see people due to vaccine roll out. No big hubs here, so done by groups of Gp’s it appears.

Feel sick as 22nd approaches. School just are a business - more people that can be in less money used covering me. And this is without all schools opening up on 8th March.

[quote RhubarbCrumbling]**@CoffeeRunner yes I rang and asked for urgent Gp apt. Was told was allocated one. Just got a message passed back through the admin person. Not spoken to myself. I asked if the Dr would speak with me. No phone back - waited all day.[/quote]
I’m so sorry. That is terrible & would not happen at our surgery.

Is there another local surgery? Is changing GPs an option?

Apparently I can have a Gp phone call one day this week.

I quite want a face to face appointment now. As it is safe for me to go to work unvaccinated and no medical grade mask or PPE I am not understanding why a Gp refuses to see patients. As I would like her to see how I am which cannot be checked over a phone. No video conferencing used.
But only allowed a phone call.

I would love to change Dr’s now but rural area and only one we in catchment for.

Though if Gp’s are going to be allowed to only do phone calls unless they decide someone needs to be seen I could have a Gp in London I guess or Manchester or Bristol??

My request for medication for anxiety has been denied also.
So no SPL, no vaccine, nothing to help with anxiety and no Dr will see me.

Feeling really rubbish. And no I have not had any medication for anxiety for at least 5 years.

Plan what you are going to say when the GP calls. They won't give you medication without seeing you (haha I mean off course having an appointment, so, speaking to you). Did they give any sign when it (the call) would be?

When the GP calls you ask them for a video call. If they have the technology they should do that for you. I very much doubt they will do a face to face appointment for anxiety but you can always ask.

They will also prescribe for you following that telephone appointment.

When you say “one day this week”, are you booked in? If so why can’t they at least specify a day? Our surgery narrow it down to a specific morning or afternoon.

Ha ha - a day?! Well it was promised for today and did not happen so was told they would phone when had time this week.

I am getting an appointment as I asked for treatment for anxiety and as you said only way to speak to someone is to have an issue only a Dr can prescribe for.

I have written a list, thanks.

I spoke to a good friend on he phone today and was able to practise! Also, she had not realised I had had so many infections needing hospital.

Hi OP. I just wanted to say I know a few people in a very similar boat to you. This is causing a huge amount of upset but you absolutely should be getting better care. You matter, you need a vaccine asap because clearly you are at higher risk than many and your GP practice is behaving so badly.

I have no solutions for you beyond making a formal complaint and talking to your MP. You can only try. The vaccine programme has been a massive success but I suspect there are a fair number of people who have been missed and who are not getting anywhere trying to get re-coded. I am not surprised you feel awful about it all and anxious. I have had 2 people now successfully get their GP to listen - I think they found a consultant to write a letter for them so that is also worth a shot. If you really can't get anywhere, know you aren't alone and there are people out there who care that this has happened to you.

Thank you @ACovidofWitches for your kind words and @CoffeeRunner and everyone else- which have been sadly lacking from medical people.

My consultant is on annual leave sadly.

I think what is driving the anxiety is the reminder of those times when I went to the Gp feeling really ill, but as I had no temperature ( rarely do unless in HDU!) I did not get treatment etc. A few days later go back really struggling, and sent away again. A few days later at a 111 appointment but as I walk in to see the Dr I collapsed and ambulance called. And I have a whole host of these stories due to my unusual, now diagnosed, health condition. It is scaring me and I am afraid of being in hospital again. As covid is a real threat.

Ring up ask about they're complaints procedure.
Then write a concise email outlining what you've said here, end stating you'll pass your complaint onto NHS England if you don't get a satisfactory response.
On the header put "complaint for the attention of the practice manager"
I've just had a lot of trouble with a receptionist at my surgery. It is now all resolved after the email.

@RhubarbCrumbling

Thank you *@ACovidofWitches* for your kind words and *@CoffeeRunner* and everyone else- which have been sadly lacking from medical people.

My consultant is on annual leave sadly.

I think what is driving the anxiety is the reminder of those times when I went to the Gp feeling really ill, but as I had no temperature ( rarely do unless in HDU!) I did not get treatment etc. A few days later go back really struggling, and sent away again. A few days later at a 111 appointment but as I walk in to see the Dr I collapsed and ambulance called. And I have a whole host of these stories due to my unusual, now diagnosed, health condition. It is scaring me and I am afraid of being in hospital again. As covid is a real threat.

I think it's no wonder you're scared. That's so traumatic. So much about NHS care is absolutely dreadful, however many wonderful stories you also hear. It's not good enough. You were let down.

I do think this is real and I'm sorry for all of the issues you are having but did you mean to say you are a single parent?

You said this 'Even if I resigned from my post, as a single parent - how do I pay rent or feed my three children if I choose to stop teaching? But if I go to work, who will look after them?'

Followed by this 'My DH will have to do it on Monday, as I am at school.'

Maybe it was an error ? If you have a DH, is he helping you with your anxiety?
If you don't, please make sure you are open with trusted friends/ family. Dont suffer in silence. I hope you manage to get a vaccine soon. I'm not sure why the GP are being so tricky.

Hi *@Lubiluxe

I have husband, but with the stress and nightmare of last few months have separated from him. No wedding ring on my finger now, So I am not sure quite what terms to use, sorry. And I have no idea if we can ever sort things out or if I will be a long-term single parent. But I need to be able to earn money to provide on my own. I know he will not deprive the children of anything but two homes etc means it will not be the same income and I cannot expect to have no job or income. So depending on how awful I feel as to which phrase is in my head.

He is helping with the children lots. He has the oldest when I am at school and the two youngest are in school/nursery on key worker places.Helping me with anxiety. Er, no. I have never had such anxiety before and he is not really around now. He helps with phone calls for medical appointments for me as I cannot phone the Dr’s when I am teaching, always been an issue that as used to only be able to ring for appointments when I was in meetings or with children! Online booking really helped but that does not exist now.

Well got a phone call from Gp today. After work thankfully.

Absolutely says I am only group 6. Will not say why she removed me when I had shielding letters for whole of 2020. The group of Gp practices working together mean the only place they are able to refer to is the one they are running/organising etc. And this week they have had hardly any deliveries so only vaccinating one day. They do not know what they will get but next day they have plans to vaccinate is next Friday. Definitely not before. Good news is they are doing group 6, but they are doing it in age order so she has no idea when I will get a vaccine. But she has put me on the list for spares, but there are others obviously before me. The irony is my DH ( is he my ex, no idea what to call him now) is also group 6 for one medical condition and as he is older will get it before me. As coeliac is group 6. But he works fully from home.

What is frustrating is that large numbers of Gp’s in the next area are using a bigger vaccination centre and seem to have supplies and are vaccinating Group 6 and started on next age group also. But when I asked if I could be sent there, was told “no, it is not allowed.”

Oh and they only have AZ vaccine. Not that makes any difference. Except that they have less spares I think.

Can't your cpn get anti anxiety medication for you and ask your psychiatrist to look at your notes to work out why you've been removed? My cpn and consultant over ride my gp all the time without any backlash. I hope you get it sorted.

Could you get your consultant to get you a vaccine when they return from leave? If you are scared of going back to work with no vaccine, you could take a few days sick with D&V. You could keep trying to get a Dr. appointment in this time. Say you have an ailment which is difficult to treat over the phone, e.g. throat,ear. I would rarely advise someone to go sick, but the extra time could help you get the vaccine.

Maybe you could have the vaccine later next week, if you stay out of work and keep trying.

Thanks, I could do but my psych is on annual leave ( as well as my main physical consultant - is it half-term where they live?) and I have not had any appointments for 11 months with consultants. My cpn is once a fortnight on the phone.

My Gp would not sign me off work either. I had given up by that part of my phone call to be honest.

To be honest, I have sort of given up. Apparently a vaccine is going to be available sometime in March, but done by age for group 6 and depends on vaccine supplies. If lots do not turn up maybe as soon as next Friday. Dr thought it totally reasonable that I go into work with no vaccine as she has decided I am no longer on shielding list. So no admin error.

I am hopeful on Monday when both consultants back something will change. But I have no energy left to fight it. I would have liked some medication to help me eat, but apparently my over the phone diagnosis is it is the anxiety causing the nausea. Yep, but no idea how to remove the anxiety.

Thanks.
Yes, I have never “thrown a sickie” but I am feeling really weak to be honest. I have got half a day off next week for a scan, plus mid March another hospital appointment with a consultant. Scared of going to hospital without a vaccine as well though.

How long does it take for the AZ one to be effective? Well know it is less effective that the other one, but.... I was not sure if could have Pfeizer actually due to some allergies, but no Epipen carrying.

I think it is the time it takes a vaccine to work that is the issue.

I had thought of “having symptoms” thus needing a test which might buy me 2-3 days, especially as I may nit be too speedy booking a test. And then I can carry on live teaching from home, which if I threw a sickie I would not be able to do. Knowing my luck I will have real symptoms anyway!

@OliveTree75

What do you mean by no access to anyone medical? They are doing vaccines at my GPs too but I had a telephone appointment within an hour and then a face to face appointment a few hours later for an ear infection just a few days ago. Not all staff will be doing vaccinations, and it is the nurses doing it at my GPs. You should still be able to speak to a doctor if you need to.

It's abysmal in my surgery, too. Rang them begging for an appointment on the 18th of Feb, but the next available was on the 9th of March. Large sugery in London. Yet, received email, text and a letter inviting me for a vaccine! They better concentrate on TREATING sick patients, I say!

Sorry to hear your having such issues. I live in a village but we have 2 practices one in each village and we can use either. The one in the next village is better. I've been backwards and forwards with phone consultation since the 6th Jan when I got signed off for suspected autoimmune disease. I've had 6 lots of bloods taken and actually saw a gp face to face today as they wanted to discuss my results and come. Up with a plan whilst I wait to see a specialist. At the moment they have been talking to specialist over the phone and trying to treat me that way. I've also got severe asthma. I work at a nursery and have worked through out pandemic. I'm glad to say they called me today I have my jab Friday. It seems I've been really lucky with out gp. Only trouble us we have to go through triage every time so never know what dr you will speak to.

Great news twitchypalm! And I hope your physical issues get sorted and consultants can be seen.

@RhubarbCrumbling

Hi *@Lubiluxe**

I have husband, but with the stress and nightmare of last few months have separated from him. No wedding ring on my finger now, So I am not sure quite what terms to use, sorry. And I have no idea if we can ever sort things out or if I will be a long-term single parent. But I need to be able to earn money to provide on my own. I know he will not deprive the children of anything but two homes etc means it will not be the same income and I cannot expect to have no job or income. So depending on how awful I feel as to which phrase is in my head.

He is helping with the children lots. He has the oldest when I am at school and the two youngest are in school/nursery on key worker places.Helping me with anxiety. Er, no. I have never had such anxiety before and he is not really around now. He helps with phone calls for medical appointments for me as I cannot phone the Dr’s when I am teaching, always been an issue that as used to only be able to ring for appointments when I was in meetings or with children! Online booking really helped but that does not exist now.

No need to apologise at all. My message came from a concern point of view. I'm sorry to hear things have broken down. Just wanted to make sure you had real life support too.

I can see you've been added to group 6 now, I I so pleased. You never know, they may get a big order of vaccines in and it could happen soon. It is March next week.

As for living on your own, single people get a 25% discount on council tax. Look in to it.

All the best

Just in case it helps, most of the changes to the shielding list (both adding and subtracting) are done centrally without GP involvement, so they may not have had anything to do with you being taken off the list. They have messed around extensively with the criteria for asthmatics, so although I think it's atrocious that someone with as many health issues as you is only in group 6 that is unfortunately correct.

Vaccine supply is slow this week because there is a manufacturing reset I think, but it will pick up again soon.