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Original poster

Unpaid carers can now book online.....

39 replies

TransplantedScouser · 11/03/2021 04:39

Does anyone know what proof you have to take.

I am my mother’s main carer. She’s on the shield list not that she ever paid any attention.

I have no actual documentation to this as I’ve never seen any point. I have LPAs for her and because of income I’d get no benefits or carers allowance so I just never bothered.

Does anyone know what they ask for? System let me book but did not say anything about having to bring ID or documentation as it did for the frontline carers.

OP posts:
GingerandTilly · 11/03/2021 05:28

I’m not sure if this helps but I’m a carer for my elderly Mum and was called by my GP. I had to be registered with my local carers association and have a carers card. The carers association recently contacted me asking if I would be ok for my details to be passed onto the NHS for vaccine purposes which I consented to. It’s also on my own medical records that I am a carer. I’m taking my carers card and driving licence to my appointment (just in case) but I assume I won’t need to as I’m a registered carer and it’s on my medical records plus they invited me so I’m assuming all will be fine.

Friolero · 11/03/2021 05:51

I didn't need any proof. If the system lets you book then you must be coded as a carer on your medical notes.

Racoonworld · 11/03/2021 09:30

@Friolero

I didn't need any proof. If the system lets you book then you must be coded as a carer on your medical notes.
It’s not always coded, the website lets me through too if I tick the right boxes on it. I’ve just started dating for an elderly relative, it’s definitely not registered with my GP or anywhere else. It doesn’t say anything about proof needed but worried I’ll be turned away with no proof?
dividedwefall · 11/03/2021 09:34

Just ring your GP and ask to be registered as your mother's carer and they will issue you a letter to take with you.

Most areas have a Carers Association that you can register with for free and they will send you a card. Local authorities sometimes do this too - I have both cards.

Racoonworld · 11/03/2021 10:06

Well I've booked for next week. Government website says you don't need proof. I'll report back!

moominmomma1234 · 11/03/2021 15:20

Confused - The website now says are you an unpaid carer of somebody who is vulnerable to covid, and has been offered a vaccine.
So that rules out a carer of ASD child does it? Because children are not being offered the vaccine. It also links to a list of CEV illness in the vulnerable person. No mention of children with learning disability.

MummytoCSJH · 11/03/2021 15:40

Wow I was thrilled for a second, then realised you can only do it if it is someone who is vulnerable to coronavirus. So still nothing for parent carers of children with adhd (like me) or asd or even a physical disability if they aren't vulnerable to coronavirus!! Hmm

MummytoCSJH · 11/03/2021 15:40

@moominmomma1234

Confused - The website now says are you an unpaid carer of somebody who is vulnerable to covid, and has been offered a vaccine. So that rules out a carer of ASD child does it? Because children are not being offered the vaccine. It also links to a list of CEV illness in the vulnerable person. No mention of children with learning disability.
I think so Sad
reactredux · 11/03/2021 15:46

I had my vaccine last week and brought my CA letter but they never asked to see it. They asked if I was a carer and I just said yes.

I'm a carer for my (adult) ASD child. I got a letter from the NHS asking me to book, I think they are linked to the DWP database for those receiving CA.

MummytoCSJH · 11/03/2021 15:47

@reactredux

I had my vaccine last week and brought my CA letter but they never asked to see it. They asked if I was a carer and I just said yes.

I'm a carer for my (adult) ASD child. I got a letter from the NHS asking me to book, I think they are linked to the DWP database for those receiving CA.

Yes, it's the people who are not claiming CA who are being left out Sad
PeigiSu · 11/03/2021 15:50

In my area (U.K not England) they are inviting those coded but also allowing you to fill in a form whether coded or not. For children they are asking about whether the level of care is higher than for an age similar child, not really about covid vulnerability but e.g. stoma care, respiratory physio etc, the definition is quite broad though.

PeigiSu · 11/03/2021 15:53

They should all be working off JCVI in the 4 nations so worth clarifying I think.

itispersonal · 11/03/2021 15:57

I didn't need to ring gp or take any proof. I just ticked carer (which included non paid) on the booking system.

No one will ask for proof, when asked why here for appointment I said unpaid carer for my mum. End of

moominmomma1234 · 11/03/2021 16:47

I can’t book it unless I am 100% sure I am eligible. Argh why doesn’t it say unpaid carer of child

AnneShirleysNewDress · 11/03/2021 17:01

I'm in Scotland and received a letter from the NHS with an appointment. I have never registered as an unpaid carer with GP but I do have an disabled child who is 9. I assumed they got the information because she is in reciept of DLA. I had my jab today:

Firstworddinosaur · 11/03/2021 20:36

I'm really confused too. My GP says I'm registered as a carer with them (ASD child 8 years old on receipt of DLA) so should be able to book online. But as mentioned above they ask if the person you care for has been asked to have the vaccine so does that rule me out as I care for my child? I don't want to queue jump but will take it if I'm entitled.

moominmomma1234 · 11/03/2021 21:16

I don’t know who to ask about it , can unpaid carers of children book or not ☹️

beatingheart3 · 11/03/2021 21:22

Does anyone have a link for this booking system ?

MummytoCSJH · 11/03/2021 21:27

@moominmomma1234

I don’t know who to ask about it , can unpaid carers of children book or not ☹️
If your child is classed as high risk re COVID then yes. If not, then no.

@beatingheart3 www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

MummytoCSJH · 11/03/2021 21:28

@Firstworddinosaur

I'm really confused too. My GP says I'm registered as a carer with them (ASD child 8 years old on receipt of DLA) so should be able to book online. But as mentioned above they ask if the person you care for has been asked to have the vaccine so does that rule me out as I care for my child? I don't want to queue jump but will take it if I'm entitled.
If you are a coded with your gp as a carer and are an unpaid parent carer to a child who is not at high risk re COVID then you have to wait for the gp to invite you personally and you are still unable to book through the online service.
moominmomma1234 · 11/03/2021 23:41

Ok i have emailed my doctor earlier in the week, but still not heard a reply. I was thinking asd children are vulnerable due to challenging behaviour if they beocme poorly. My son wont accept medical intervention of any form, so that’s why i thought he was classed as vulnerable. But it must actually just be children with very serious medical conditions, cev.
I will have to just wait and see if my doctors send me text. And i will keep checking the booking site to see if parents of vulnerable children are added. I got my hopes up as well

EleanorLenor · 11/03/2021 23:50

I am confused. If a couple look after a disabled person/child and more vulnerable to the virus, only one of the couple can be registered as a main carer? Surely the other person is a risk too? Confused

I was also led to believe that carers were getting it because, should they fall ill, it would be difficult to get someone else to care for the person.

PickAChew · 11/03/2021 23:58

Booked online a couple of weeks ago and had my carer jab, last week. Took most recent award letters (Christmas bonuses etc) but only needed my appointment number and NHS number, in the end.

PickAChew · 12/03/2021 00:00

@moominmomma1234

Confused - The website now says are you an unpaid carer of somebody who is vulnerable to covid, and has been offered a vaccine. So that rules out a carer of ASD child does it? Because children are not being offered the vaccine. It also links to a list of CEV illness in the vulnerable person. No mention of children with learning disability.
I'm a carer of asd children. I got the invite letter.