Page 3 | Why has the online booking system jumped to group 7... what about group 6?!

TheAvenger · 24/02/2021 20:31

I have checked with my GP and it’s definitely on my records that I’m group 6.

when did you check? I was in group 6 as confirmed by GP just 2 weeks ago and have since been removed and cannot get the vaccine. I am a carer and it appears there is a drive to remove people as carers from the GP databases. Happened to a few friends of mine too as I found out today.

I would check again.

vinoandbrie · 24/02/2021 21:28

I saw this and got on the phone to my mum (Group 7) and she is now booked in. Thank you so much for flagging this! Really happy 😊

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 24/02/2021 21:35

renally how did you get a number for a local shielding advice line? Is that the council one?

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 24/02/2021 21:47

@vinoandbrie

I saw this and got on the phone to my mum (Group 7) and she is now booked in. Thank you so much for flagging this! Really happy 😊

@vinoandbrie

Fantastic!! 👏🏼☺️

OP posts:

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 24/02/2021 21:47

@TheAvenger

I have checked with my GP and it’s definitely on my records that I’m group 6.

when did you check? I was in group 6 as confirmed by GP just 2 weeks ago and have since been removed and cannot get the vaccine. I am a carer and it appears there is a drive to remove people as carers from the GP databases. Happened to a few friends of mine too as I found out today.

I would check again.

@TheAvenger

I checked today.

OP posts:

renallychallenged · 24/02/2021 22:42

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

renally how did you get a number for a local shielding advice line? Is that the council one?

GP surgery provided it to me.

For Leeds it's 0113 376 0345 if that helps anyone. You need your NHS no and that of the person you care for.

EachBleachBlairTrump · 24/02/2021 22:56

I'm group six, got a letter from department of health and social care and a link to book rather than a text from my GP. I did end up booking with GP as I called admit something else and she said while you're on the phone do you want to book, I'd only got the letter that morning so hasn't had chance yet, so agreed as they could book me for the centre on my road within 24 hours whereas the nearest one online was a twenty minute drive and not until Friday (still not bad and not complaining)

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 24/02/2021 23:12

Cheers renally. We're not in a big town or city so it probably is the council number. It's DH who's the carer. I am already jabbed .

Akire · 24/02/2021 23:22

Some Gp are refusing to engage with who’s in and out of group 6. But at same time we told no booking system for us GP will contact us. I don’t hold out much hope. At this rate I’m in group after 9 and will get there by age first at this rate.

PuzzledObserver · 24/02/2021 23:23

I’m group 6. Got the text from my GP Sunday 14th and had the jab on the 16th.

No idea if they are prioritising by age, condition, alphabetical, or sending all the texts at once - I’m 57 and have diabetes. Also high BMI, and have since got the shielding letter, which I’m basically ignoring.

In my area, 3 PCN’s have joined to gather to run a hub which is operating very efficiently and running 8-8, 7 days a week, just like the mass vaccination hubs.

NCforSanity · 25/02/2021 07:30

[quote PastMyBestBeforeDate]@NCforSanity it's because you get CA. Being a carer by itself qualifies you for g6 but only carers who get CA can use the booking link.[/quote]
Thank you, I should have realised it was the Carers Allowance.

TheAvenger · 25/02/2021 07:39

I have loads of friends who are carers but not getting CA. They still can use the link. The key is being coded as a carer with the GP. If that is the case, the link will work.

If it's not working, there is your clue that the GP has not flagged you as a carer.

Anna12345678910 · 25/02/2021 08:25

They are bombing through the groups and it is brilliant - if you are group 7 get online and book. Some areas of the country are a little behind others. Group 6 is a group and GP done I understand.

If you are a carer and not logged then go online and book and tick to say carer - email GP surgery to advise you are a carer too. If you tick the system doesn't check carer status it assumes you are.

Abraxan · 25/02/2021 08:33

I still don't understand why group 6 is harder to add to the online system to group 4, except it's larger?

The surgery records have group 6 classed with a code. All it needs it for that group to be pushed to the central register. Then they'd be able to book via the system.

The going through the surgery thing is harsh because these are predominately working age people who are vulnerable. Surgeries are still working through groups 1-5 as not everyone in those groups are using the nhs line. So it's really varied how it's working with some areas in the same city being as vastly different stages.

It's also subject to individual surgeries working systems. I asked a week ago about group 6 and was told it would be a while yet due to an older demographic and them only just sending out group 5 letters. I asked to go on a 'happy to take a last minute appointment list.' I got a phone call the next morning and had by vaccine yesterday. What changed in one day?

Abraxan · 25/02/2021 08:37

@SendMeHome

You can’t book through the site for group 6. It’s a text from your GP and a localised booking system. I got my text last weekend and am having the vaccine this weekend.

Mine was a phone call from the surgery who booked me in to a local small vaccination centre. I didn't get a choice of days or times. I had a week's notice. Definitely no link or website booking here.

I'm 48y and group 6, the day before I got the call I was told they hadn't even started to,look at group 6, so no,idea on their criteria.

And yes, like others say it's a huge difference in areas. Dh's colleague and his wife are early 40s with no underlying health conditions, and they both had their vaccine two days ago. Their surgery said they have now finished groups 1-9.

Ifailed · 25/02/2021 08:47

All it needs it for that group to be pushed to the central register

Ha! You think there's some central NHS register of patients and their conditions & medical history?

All the central register will have is your NHS number, DOB and maybe your current address.

Abraxan · 25/02/2021 09:06

Ifailed

I meant the nhs booking sites central database.
The GPs clearly have the information flagged - make certainly does as it's how they called me.

So that information is available. That information or list needs a simple system to upload the details to the nhs vaccine database - which must work somehow as group 4 can book via the main site, so not just flagged by date of birth.

It shouldn't be a difficult job really - just needs a system in place to do it. As it said, there must be something in place otherwise group 4 wouldn't have been able to be done via the site.

LunchWithAGruffalo · 25/02/2021 09:12

I can understand why a lot of those in group 6 would need appointments sorting through thier GP, as its harder for a computer system to correctly flag up those who are eligible.

However, our local GPs have big messages everywhere that they don't have vaccine supply, they will send out appointments when they do. So most of group 6 here are still waiting. Why isn't there a way for GPs to be able to book thier patients into the hubs, even if that means ringing and making the appointment with the patient on the phone. Our local hub is very quiet, loads of appointments spare most days.

It does feel that those with underlying conditions have been let down here.

Ifailed · 25/02/2021 09:31

even if that means ringing and making the appointment with the patient on the phone

How many GP surgeries have staff sitting round with nothing else to do than spend the day on the phone to patients?

Rollergirl11 · 25/02/2021 09:50

@Abraxan

Ifailed

I meant the nhs booking sites central database.
The GPs clearly have the information flagged - make certainly does as it's how they called me.

So that information is available. That information or list needs a simple system to upload the details to the nhs vaccine database - which must work somehow as group 4 can book via the main site, so not just flagged by date of birth.

It shouldn't be a difficult job really - just needs a system in place to do it. As it said, there must be something in place otherwise group 4 wouldn't have been able to be done via the site.

^Absolutely agree with this. I can see why the GP’s were needed to go through the medical records and flag the patients with underlying health conditions. But once the medical record has been flagged why can’t these records be collated and pushed to the national booking system rather than the individual NHS CCG hubs? Why is it any different to what must have been done for Group 4? That being said both my mother and MIL were in Group 4 but it definitely seemed like they were called up for their vaccines based on their age rather than their Group 4 status. Neither of their shielding health conditions were mentioned whatsoever when it can to being called for their vaccines. So perhaps it has always has been that age overrides anything else in terms of distinguishing eligibility.

Boulshired · 25/02/2021 09:59

I’m in Hampshire, the hubs were empty, many group 6 notified but waiting for slots in the GP run centres. The solution was there but for whatever reason it has took the trust and hubs to offer walk in appointments to start clearing the group 6 backlog.

Blackberrycream · 25/02/2021 10:06

I don’t know why this is not being reported at all in the news.
Group 6 are totally dependent on their gp and local area approach. I’m also not sure why some areas seem to receiving enough vaccine supplies to reach lower groups while others are still not on group 6.
The national line said that letters are only sent by age criteria. They actually said I may well receive my group 9 letter before my gp gets around to group 6 ( they are saying it will be a few weeks before they will start). This group have been treated badly throughout as we are more likely to be parents and out at work but have had little protection as not ecv. Ironically the consultant who deals with my condition told me that I should consider myself ecv but they were unable to add to the list because of the original government criteria.

tiredteacher100 · 25/02/2021 10:14

Thank you for flagging up over 60s bookings! I'm a 60 yo teacher with auto immune problems but not CEV. Was dreading going back to school but am now booked for a jab on Monday. Thanks

Original poster

fireflylanegirls · 25/02/2021 11:00

@tiredteacher100

Thank you for flagging up over 60s bookings! I'm a 60 yo teacher with auto immune problems but not CEV. Was dreading going back to school but am now booked for a jab on Monday. Thanks

@tiredteacher100

Fantastic!

OP posts:

Blackberrycream · 25/02/2021 13:15

That’s great tiredteacher
I was given an appointment today for next week so am feeling immensely relieved. The receptionist said they had been allocated only 25 spots today for sending group 6 to the local vaccination surgery. There will be cv teachers and other exposed professions amongst those still waiting.