PLEASE try not call GP's - Use the surgery website

[LDloveslattecoffe]

Many people have not received a shielding letter and are confused whether or not they should be as think they should.

If you are not on regular steroid tablets OR have not had regular admissions to hospital you will NOT be getting the NHS letter. The Asthma UK guidance is clear on this it says you have to meet all 3 criteria or the admissions bit.

HOWEVER, Asthma UK says you are high risk if taking the medications on the list and should take shielding measures.

My GP practice has the link to the Asthma UK guidance on Covid-19 that we have all been looking at.

I spoke to my GP on Wednesday after following the following procedure and she said NO I wouldn't get a letter but YES I should be shielding.

I don't need a letter of proof but for those that do you can get a letter for employer from GP.

Please keep phone lines clear and go ONLINE see below:Please be patient with surgeries. If you can contact by this method it can be helpful to your surgery.

I sent my message 6pm Monday night and reply by GP calling me 10am Wednesday Morning.

********************************************************************************************

Go to your surgery's website.

There is a big blue block from eConsult it says - Contact your doctors online

Fill out a simple online form to get advice and treatment by the end of the next working day

Ask about common problems like coughs, back pain or mental health

Ask about general symptoms like dizziness, tiredness or pain

Request sick notes and GP letters, or ask about recent tests

Get help for your child

View common problems you can ask about:

Click on one of these - I clicked on Request sick notes and GP Letters.

Fill in the form I clicked other requests for documents and paperwork and then typed in my concern - Note there is a limit to how much you can write.

Guidance on whether or not I should be shielding for 12 weeks. I have asthma and have read on Asthma Uk that I may be one of those getting the Shielding letter but have not received any guidance. I am on Duoresp Spiramax 160/4.5 2 puffs twice a day and up to 8 extra puffs a day (12 in total), I am on Monteleukast and Ventolin. In addition I nightly have to use a CPAP machine. Need clarity at present Shop, Home and to person I am informal carer for to do medication and deliver shopping

Then you get an Email stating that this has been sent to surgery and you will hear by 6.30pm the next day. You will also get a copy of your consultation document attached to the email it gives a reference number and also says if not heard by time stated to click the link below to let your surgery know.

The next day I received an email stating message from surgery

Dear Lynne,

Wideopen Medical Centre has a message for you about your recent online consultation.

The message is:

"Thank you for your eConsult. We will contact you in due course."

Let the practice know you've received this message.

You click on the link that is "let the practice know you've received this message".

I did not get a reply before the 6.30pm so clicked on original email where it said

"But if they're unable to reach you by then, please contact the practice using this secure form". (the link is the last bit of that sentence after the comma)

About 10am next day I got a phone call from Dr and she told me to Shield. I don't need a letter as Freelance but if you talking to GP and they tell you to and you are an employee ask for a LETTER /Note from GP for your employer.

Hope that has helped people

[Yatzy]

I’ve had a similar experience

[CRP386]

Thanks, but there is actually the section on Asthma UK Covid page after what you list as the criteria of hospital admission/combination of drugs, where a patient with asthma may be taking any of the medicines on the following list and you may not have received a letter: biologic, long term antibiotic, high dose steroid, high dose steroid and motelukast. See below. The letters are being released in waves with most severe being sent theirs first. The definition of high dose steroid, seems to be causing a lot of confusion. The high dose steroid table is not 100% clear, as the amount of steroid used in Fostair can be either measured as actual or equivalent dose (due to the potency of extrafine particles) and the table does not define what amount is listed. Also, please note in your post you describe 'regular hospital admissions', but that is not the case and is actually 'if you have been admitted to hospital in the last 12 months for your asthma', so it could be a ONE OFF hospital admission.

I was curious about eConsult, but not everyone has access to them, my medical centre is not joined up to them.

FROM ASTHMA UK WEBSITE 3 APRIL:

If you or your child is taking any of the below medicines:

You may not have received a letter advising you to shield yet, but we would advise you shield anyway.

This advice has been agreed in collaboration with the National Clinical Director for Respiratory at NHS England.

Any biologic therapy, also called a mAb (Xolair/omalizumab, Nucala/mepolizumab, Cinqaero/reslizumab, Fasenra/benralizumab)

Antibiotic tablets or liquid for asthma every week as a preventer (e.g. azithromycin)

A combination inhaler that also contains a long-acting bronchodilator (e.g. Seretide, Fostair, Symbicort) at a high daily steroid dose (see the table below)

An inhaler with a high daily steroid dose (see the table below) AND you are taking Montelukast

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to CRP386]

Hi I've read that and it also on my GP website.

It's a shame that not all surgery websites are linked up.

I am talking about surgery website though not the Systmonline.tpp-uk.com where order prescription and book appointments etc.

If they don't have this service see if there is a contact us link on the website.

If not then ring just advise reception wanting clarification on shielding and potentially Dr's letter. Explain situation Asthma UK guidance and ask for message to be sent to Dr who knows you best.

Tell reception if GP agrees you should be shielding can they just ring and let you know a letter being done for employer and its going in post to you.

Just to clarifies.

The NHS letter is ONLY going to be sent to the below.

If you or your child is in one of these groups, you should have already been identified and sent a letter or text message advising you to shield:

You are taking ALL THREE OF:

1)

a steroid preventer inhaler (at any dose)

2)

another preventer medicine (e.g. you are on a combination inhaler, or take a medicine such as formoterol or salmeterol, or tiotropium as well as your steroid inhaler, or if you are taking montelukast)

3)

regular or continuous oral steroids (which means you had 4 or more prescriptions for prednisolone between July and December 2019)

Or you have been admitted to hospital in the last 12 months for your asthma

Or you have ever been admitted to an intensive care unit for your asthma.

Which means all 3 or the ORs.

It then goes on to say:::::

If you or your child is taking any of the below medicines:

You may not have received a letter advising you to shield yet, but we would advise you shield anyway in agreement with NHS England as you say.

(This is saying whether get a letter from NHS or not you SHOULD be shielding if the following medication guidance applies).

MY GP confirmed because I DON'T take prednisone regularly nor have I had regular admissions I WONT get NHS Letter.

My GP and surgery agree with NHS England and the Asthma UK guidance and said because I am on high dose Duoresp Spiriva and Monteleukast and Ventolin and a CPAP machine she clarified I SHOULD Be shielding as at high risk.

My circumstances mean I don't need a letter but if you do need proof for employer get from GP but use the eConsult form on GP website get advice and ask for a letter if you need letter for employer.

IF you don't get a NHS letter don't panic clarify especially if you need clarification /confirmation for employer.

The online service frees up phone lines.

[Albertdog in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

Everything seems to be getting changed daily - at 83 taking tiotropium and salbutamol - was advised on NHS website that I will receive a letter from them or my GP - nothing - have phoned Surgery who took info - nothing- received a questionnaire which I completed - nothing.

Still don't know if I can collect my ongoing medication or will it be delivered. As my repeat is now due in 3 days - suppose I have no choice....😥

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Albertdog]

Contact your chemist, explain. Most are good and will deliver to you