Sign up for coronavirus support for the extremely vulnerable

laura222

Hi all!

My friend sent me this, not sure what it will be. As I write this it isn’t open yet, but suggests that you can register for support if you’re extremely vulnerable.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Cressida

laura222 said:

Hi all!

My friend sent me this, not sure what it will be. As I write this it isn’t open yet, but suggests that you can register for support if you’re extremely vulnerable.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

Thanks for this. I'm expecting my letter today so will be interested to see what help is available.

Adrian_Scope

Thanks @laura222. It'll be interesting to read once they've released more information.

laura222

Yes, not sure what it'll be, but hopefully it will be something that can help people out!

Chloe_Scope

Thank you for sharing this @laura222! 

worried33

Thank you for sharing, and someone just posted on the supermarket thread also, I am not within their list of criteria, but I registered anyway, although I have been in the past told I had deformed blood which I believe is that blood sickle disease.

jacksprat

The crireria in the HMG form do not include disability alone.  I failed the test, and cannot walk or write!  It targets people with specific illnesses that make covid-19 especially dangerous.

laura222

I registered anyway too on the advice of my doctor. She let me know that unfortunately the Government weren't putting my condition on the official list, so I wouldn't receive one of the letters but that I should register anyway. I feel lucky though that as things stand I don't need any of the support that can be offered.

worried33

has anyone heard anything after registering for this list?

Chloe_Scope

Hi @worried33, just wanted to check in to see you have heard anything?

worried33

No I havent heard anything Chloe.

Chloe_Scope

I hope it's soon @worried33! Is there anything we can do to help?

Cressida

I registered through the link and received this response by email yesterday:

Hello, You registered as clinically extremely vulnerable, but had not received a letter from the NHS to confirm this. We’ll share your details with the NHS. If the NHS defines you as clinically extremely vulnerable, the NHS will contact you. Your GP will be informed. If you told us you need help getting food and supplies, but you are not on the clinically extremely vulnerable list, we’ll share your details with supermarkets. They may be able to help. If you need support urgently, please contact your local authority. For the latest information, visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus GOV.​UK coronavirus support I completed the online form stating I had not received a letter. My Specialist Nurse has informed me that I should be on the list and to contact my GP. I did that and was told by the receptionist that my record was not flagged but there are still letters being sent out.  I am not too worried as although I fall into the vulnerable category I have been able to get online shopping through various sources and have a neighbour who can collect my prescriptions. I was told to self isolate over 3 weeks ago and have been doing that ever since. I think this letter system is a bit shambolic to be truthful as I know of many people who have not received letters who need help. On the online form it asks if you need help, perhaps you complete the form and say 'yes' to this question you will receive a different response.

thespiceman

Hello @Cressida   Sorry to hear that you had problems with the specific criteria regarding vulnerable people..

Please I did apply myself got turned down.

Opinion is the criteria qualifying is too narrow and should be every one who needs it, regardless.

Please if you suffering have problems this may help you.

The Police of my area where I live issued a note to all householders. Offering support and help.

Consider your own Police force might be doing the same.

Also the following organisations.

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk

https://www.redcross.org.uk

Please can I add further if you need any assistance advice and guidance on food that you have recipes, ideas and suggestions happy to help.

One other supermarket delivery slots are available if you need to apply.

Only problem is being up early or staying up late to find them . Be patient tolerant and hopefully one will emerge.

I know a stressful anxious time please if I can help or need to ask anything please do.

I am supportive and do understand.

Please take care, keep in touch and safe.

@thespiceman

worried33

Chloe_Scope said:

I hope it's soon @worried33! Is there anything we can do to help?

There is no immediate emergency I do have lots of tinned food, and still some frozen food, my concern is when it all runs out and if I cannot book any more deliveries, and I prefer to be eating healthier fresh food when I can.

I have noticed wiltshire farm foods seems to have no problems with slots, so I can use them if needs be but I have been trying to avoid them as I put on a lot of weight eating their meals and I am already obese.

As far as scope is concerned I feel they could have started awareness of the issue, like a petition or news article, but I guess that might be considered excessive if they feel not enough people are affected by this.  I did make a change.org petition, and passed it to a few disabled people, they didnt sign it, either they dont agree with me, or they worried about their names been on there, I am also worried my name is on it so didnt spread it any further.

I am going to edit my next 2 asda orders, so they have lots of excess items so having large amounts not delivered wont be so so bad.

Cressida

thespiceman said:

Hello @Cressida   Sorry to hear that you had problems with the specific criteria regarding vulnerable people..

Please I did apply myself got turned down.

Opinion is the criteria qualifying is too narrow and should be every one who needs it, regardless.

Please if you suffering have problems this may help you.

The Police of my area where I live issued a note to all householders. Offering support and help.

Consider your own Police force might be doing the same.

Also the following organisations.

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk

https://www.redcross.org.uk

Please can I add further if you need any assistance advice and guidance on food that you have recipes, ideas and suggestions happy to help.

One other supermarket delivery slots are available if you need to apply.

Only problem is being up early or staying up late to find them . Be patient tolerant and hopefully one will emerge.

I know a stressful anxious time please if I can help or need to ask anything please do.

I am supportive and do understand.

Please take care, keep in touch and safe.

@thespiceman

@thespiceman thank you for thinking of me. I'm okay thank you as I have managed to get Asda delivery slots before the craziness started. I was told to self isolate so I was prepared and booked ahead. I also have a neighbour who can help if needed. According to the criteria I should be getting a letter because of the combination of medication I take and other issues but I am managing okay. I hope you are okay. My local area has a very helpful Facebook page where if you need help you message them and there are already a lot of volunteers. 

Adrian_Scope

worried33 said:

Chloe_Scope said:

I hope it's soon @worried33! Is there anything we can do to help?

As far as scope is concerned I feel they could have started awareness of the issue, like a petition or news article, but I guess that might be considered excessive if they feel not enough people are affected by this.  I did make a change.org petition, and passed it to a few disabled people, they didnt sign it, either they dont agree with me, or they worried about their names been on there, I am also worried my name is on it so didnt spread it any further.

Hi @worried33. Scope is in contact with government and are trying to raise awareness of the issues we're being told disabled people are encountering, but you can make your voice heard by sharing your experience with us and we'll make sure the government hear about it.

worried33

I filled it in Adrian but not sure why personal identifying information, I would rather have done it anonymous, but given the circumstances we in I did the form.  Thanks

thespiceman

Hello @Cressida   Thank you for kind words please ask me anything I can help with.

Please take care, safe.

@thespiceman

worried33

Chloe_Scope said:

I hope it's soon @worried33! Is there anything we can do to help?

Chloe I have now heard from them.

Got sent a text on Friday stating I am been considered for the list even though I answered no to the question, the same text said my name is been passed onto the supermarket's even if I dont get put on the list, I may have misunderstood it though.

My GP I spoke to on Thursday.

tej

Hi i am TEJ and here behalf of my wife Kumari. She got letter from GP.She hasn't got her own email

[Last names removed by moderator]

worried33

NHS Shield department rang me sunday but I missed the call, they rang me again 10 mins ago, but signal was bad and the call died.

They didnt try to ring me back and the number they rang from doesnt take inbound calls, the fact they didnt ring me back doesnt seem to bode well? is there a way to ask for them to call me again?

thespiceman

Hello @tej    Pleased to meet you.

Thank you  for joining and sharing.

Please you could set up an email with your broadband provider.

For your wife, contact them.

Please if you need anything else please ask.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

thespiceman

Hello @worried33   Sorry to hear this have the other number could ask them to contact NHS Shield.

0800 028 8327

This is for Coronavirus lines for vulnerable people.

If you phone not good do you have landline or ask them to text you or use Email.

Just suggestions.

@thespiceman

worried33

I tried that number, its just an automated registration service, not a query line.

When I rang my GP the response is the worst I have ever had when contacting a public service, I have told my sister who is currently arguing with them on the phone.

The GP receptionist gave me interrogation as to why I wanted to speak to my GP, then refused the appointment request, after that she started trying to read out scripted NHS advice such as you will get a letter, otherwise you have to live normally.  She also was saying any health related problems thats not covid 19 related they now refusing to deal with, so an admittance of not fulfilling their duty of care.

My concern is I have had 2 calls from 03333050466, which I now think may be scam calls, the first was on a sunday, not a normal working day, the one I answered today had a very poor signal as if the other person was on a mobile then got cutoff, he didnt ring back.  Obviously I would expect my gp to know if I should be getting these calls, but the whole thing seems to be run in a manner where they hiding from people and hiding behind automated services only.

worried33

I feel a bit better now, iceland sent me an email earlier saying they gave me priority, so I know the text message I got was legitimate.

In terms of my GP, it got very messy, my sister sent her son down to the GP surgery about two hours ago, he kicked off in front of everyone, because not only did I get treated badly, the receptionist threatened my sister over the phone, the manager refused to come out, and eventually one of the doctors came to reception, and told him I would be phoned.

This call was about 5 minutes ago, the doctor was not pleased with how the receptionist refused the appointment, I also explained my ability to make online has appointments has been disabled, he said that was under instruction, however the receptionists were not instructed to refuse phone appointments when a previous was over a month, ago they only supposed to be triaging on f2f, and he said she will be spoken to.

I also suggested they need to have an email system for queries so they can be more efficient,, since so many gp's have that now, and apparently this is already been planned, he booked a proper appointment for me at end of the week, as this call was in between appointments.

thespiceman

Hello @worried33    Sorry to hear  this.

Please can I ask do you have a mental health condition if so.

Use RETHINK 

https://www.rethink.org

Advocate charity works with you speaks on your behalf to Doctors, medical professionals and NHS teams.

Problems issues and any thing else.

I used them a lot before.

Kind friendly people.

Please take care.

@thespiceman