NHS High Risk Letters

[Happy_mum_]

My son is 11 on seratide 125 1x puff twice daily according to the GP however I was advised before Christmas tobup it to two puffs as he's been ill. He's also on montelukast and has had 2 courses of steroids in the last month. I consider him to be high risk but we haven't had a letter or text. I have spoken with the GP but they simply say keep him in anyway (which obviously I have been doing) and they don't know who has been included in the letters from NHS England. I'm struggling to make my son understand that he has to stay put and not even go for one walk a day. Have all the texts/letters been sent? I'm very anxious about all this. Thank you.

[Troilus]

I have had a text saying I have been identified, but my husband hasn’t had one yet. I think that maybe because my GP and Respiratory Clinic have mobile number but there is no mobile number on my husband’s records.

I am assuming he will get notification through the post.

Asthma aside, the general public also have big restrictions on leaving your house which would apply to your son. Rather than worry him about his asthma I would just point those out to him.

So, for example, he can go out for a walk, or kick a ball about in the garden but only with other people who live in your house.

You could find the rules on the gov website and let him read them to make your point. Or make sure he watches one the the public information ads that are on at the moment.

You will be able to reinforce your message when the new legislation giving extra powers to the police come out.

I think once he knows it is not just him who is being grounded he will accept it.

[Happy_mum_ in reply to Troilus]

Thanks for the tips I will definitely try that approach x

[Spikedog66]

Hi everyone with chest issues or any health problems need to be extremely careful it's honestly spreading like wildfire. Children seems to be OK for now but I think this will not discriminate eventually if children have health problems. Stay in keep your child and yourself safe. Look online for guidelines and consider him very vulnerable. Ring your Gp for advice. 😊

[Happy_mum_ in reply to Spikedog66]

Thanks I have spoken to the GP and am definitely keeping him in. I also have a rescue pack so am prepared. It's just a very worrying time.

[twinkly29]

The said originally the letters could take up to a week to arrive, which is understandable. Not everyone will get texts, probably depends on whether it's already set up for NHS texts, such as appointment reminders.

It is possible that your son's inhaler dose increase was intended to be an increase while he was unwell as sometimes drs advise temporary increases. If this was the case, then his usual/previous dose + the montelukast doesn't put him in the shielding group. The steroid courses are not relevant because they were courses, he's not on the every single day.

If it was an increase that they meant him to stay on, then that inhaler dose + the montelukast would put him in the shielding group.

However, regardless of receiving a letter, anyone can choose to shield themselves or their child if they feel happier doing so. The letter says no more than the government document online about shielding.

[Happy_mum_ in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks I agree with you. Its not likely we will receive a letter but I am shielding him anyway.

[twinkly29 in reply to Happy_mum_]

I'd do the same. Better to be safe.

[Angel-Girl]

According to the TV if you haven't received a letter from the government by the end of today you are not in the vulnerable high-risk group and should just follow the normal directives like limited social contact and distancing. I received a letter on Monday morning. Stay safe and well

[twinkly29 in reply to Angel-Girl]

Wow that's them relying on the post somewhat - where my sister is (an hour from London and not remotely isolated) stuff can take ages to get to them/away from them thanks to their (rubbish) sorting office. Thankfully most people should be at home at the moment anyway in case any are delayed.

[Spikedog66]

Good. We are all vunerable everyone needs too be safe from this invisible enemy. A terrible time but you can have some happy times too and enjoy being together. Hopefully we won't murder each other. 😄😄😄

[Poobah]

Letters and texts are being sent out up to and including Sunday 29th March. So a letter may not even be in the post yet.

However, it sounds as though your son falls into the most vulnerable group and should stay home for 12 weeks.

I remember being 11 years old and having no sense of risk. A walk out in the sunshine once a day, if it can be guaranteed that no one else will come in contact with him, would be beneficial to work off some energy and frustration. Friends can be contacted through digital technology. Can you offer some reward on a weekly basis if he sticks to the rules?

Good luck!

[MacColl]

With 4 conditions of those listed, my letter and texts arrived dated 21 March, yet supermarkets etc repeatedly stated I was not on the list.

Listening to daily briefings on TV, some of the Ministers and Health officials spoke of this list in the past week or two, and it became apparent that it wasn't a supermarket etc. problem, nor one the Government/GP's were totally aware of, but the fact that the team dealing with the compilation had a chunk of people missing off it - no doubt being a big task in a new department.

Seeing I had chemotherapy due to start at home, plus an already flattened immune system with other treatment etc., I needed to address the problem, as shopping and delivery slots were getting more difficult, and things were stressful enough.

One piece of advice was to also fill out the online government form too, and make sure to state that we have no means of getting shopping done by friends/family.

This is true, as all are told to stay away to keep us safe. Any supermarket or pharmacy deliveries are wiped with antibacterial wipes before bringing in from the doorstep too.

I contacted a few of the Ministers etc., had some helpful replies, and was added to list ....hopefully along with a lot of other people missing from it.

[1974lovejoy in reply to MacColl]

I have had the same issue .. yesterday I finally got through to Sainsbury and they looked at their list abs says yes I was on it, clicked a button and all sorted for delivery .. I nearly swore at the girl though when she said I should have called them sooner .. like I’d been sat on my back side and not tried repeatedly the last 7 weeks !!!! So try and call them again .. I did get through to a human being eventually .. went via the delivery route on the choice of department in the automated part of the call .. good luck