Hi I contacted the government support line to get clarity on the criteria they are using for severe Asthma .
Please be aware that their criteria for severe asthma is more stringent than that on the Asthma U.K. website .
The minimal requirement for re diving a letter is high dose steroid inhaler plus oral steroids . You are not classed as having severe asthma and will not receive a medical letter if you are take high dose steroids only.
Just Sharing info so don’t have a go at me please
There does seem to be a disparity between what members are hearing from GPs and 111, and the advice on the AUK website. Hmm 🤔 I suppose we have to go by GP & 111 really, as they’re getting information direct from NHS England.
I got a text as I also have bronchiectasis, ABPA & an immune deficiency, but there’s no advantage to being on this list apart from proving to an employer that you can’t work for 12 weeks
Good to have info from them, thank you for sharing. Would be useful if they actually announced that somehow. AUK are doing all they can but they're not the ones issuing anything.
I assume by oral steroids they will mean ongoing, all year round. As short courses don't have the same risks/side effects as they're short courses.
I’m not sure if that is entirely correct though as there seem to have been members on here who have received letters/texts when they are either on a high dose steroid inhaler with montelukast or a high dose steroid inhaler with a long acting bronchodilator. So whilst it seems that a high dose ICS on its own is not sufficient to put you on the shielding category, the extra medication doesn’t need to be oral steroids. As for others who have differing GP advice, it will probably be down to how much each individual trusts their GP. It wouldn’t be the first time a GP has given dubious or out of date advice on asthma (once had a GP tell me I should only take my preventer inhaler, a high dose ICS with LABA when I was feeling unwell). Also
Thanks for this, I am trying to get some clarity but it seems super confusing.
I received the text as I on fostair nexthaler 200/6 two puffs twice a day and monkelaust. Just waiting for the letter.
Hi can I ask what the text said please ?
l81037.sms@nhs.net
Reception You've been identified as someone at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus. Please stay at home. Home is the safest place for you. Read more about staying safe at home; gov.uk/coronavirus-extremel...
I deleted the my surgery name which came at the end of this message.
I am also on fostair 200/6 2 puffs twice a day and Montelukast tablets and I haven't received a text or letter. Makes me think that each gp surgery has its own criteria that they follow. I have also never been diagnosed as 'severe asthma'.
My text did come from my doctors surgery. I forgot it Said that as I had deleted from the bottom.
I never made it back to my Doctors for an asthma review from my last asthma attack (caused by a cold). I was planning to get it done in the Easter holidays (as I work full-time supply in schools). I have in the past reduce my inhaler strength (spring/summer) but since seem a consultant (discharged last year) he was of the opinion that if it works then I should continue.
So I would still be on my strength of inhaler. So consequently would be on the same strength of inhaler.
Still waiting for the Letter.
If memory serves me, they didn’t mention severe asthma. The term used was “high risk”. There’s a big difference.
You can have moderate asthma and be a high risk of having complications with COVID-19, which isn’t the same as having severe asthma.
The risk is relative to how COVID-19 might affect you, and nothing else.
When I heard the chief medical officers announcement she said they’d been talking to secondary care providers so by this I took it to mean anyone who’d was under a consultant or in hospital this last year would get a text /letter .Fortunately whilst I’m on tiotropium ,monteluckast ,steroid inhaler and fostaiar 100/6 my asthma is managed by my dr and asthma nurse and even though I do have rescue preds and have had to use them I have been luckily not to have had to go to secondary care although I have been told that is the next step if I have to have my meds increased
I see 2 consultants as under shred care and I haven't got a text or letter.
Take my advice please stay at home order food online if you can as you only get one life & as asthma sufferers we already know what it’s like to be breathless Covid-19 reduces lung capacity to 20% & if your unlucky fluid builds up in the lungs quickly, it’s really not worth taking any risks at all
Asthma (Sinus Op - Yes / No?)
Update: Severe Asthma (Eosinophilic) & Clinic referral & Fatigue
Asthma worse but no 
COPD or asthma?
What is classed as severe?
