I know/ suspected I was in the extremely vulnerable group but to actually get the letter from the GP has been a hell of a shock. I also got a food box and a phone call from the area community team checking on me.
Thankfully also has an email from Tesco so can now get priority slots so don’t need the food box and have cancelled it.
Not sure how I feel other than very sad and unsettled.
you've only just got a letter? they were all meant to be done by the start of May
And also the more recent phases have been GPs sending out letters so depends on workloads and how efficient and/or willing they are as to how quickly that's happened.
I got letter weeks ago and a phone call from local support team asking if I needed any help, also. Really pleased and grateful for this and didn't make you feel so isolated. I have asthma, bronchiectasis and aspergillosis and am in the extremely vulnerable group and can't shake off a lung infection I have had for weeks now. We are here for you.
I completely sympathise. I was so upset when I get the text and my BF just didn't understand why. Hang in there, look after yourself, and pleased the food system is working well
I cried when we got our son’s letter, even though in our heart of hearts we knew it was coming. I think it presents you with an unhappy picture of mortality. But ... it is just to keep you as safe as possible, and the food deliveries definitely help keep that going. Sending much love and strength x
Hi I think they were meant to shock us but sent to keep us safe... The text to keep a packed bag ready was the one that sent me over the edge I cried at my vulnerability!! I locked down 2 weeks before advised to as my aunts nursing home did at that point and I followed them. They are safe and so am I up to now thank goodness. My chests has been awful for past few weeks but think exacerbation of my condition due to the stress of it all. The food parcels helped first 2 weeks and I was really grateful for that. I have an online repeated priority slot at asda now so that's been a god send. We are all in the same boat so don't be alone reach out its a good site for advice and help. Tins from food parcels not used I will send to food bank when I'm able. 😊
Tesco’s have been brilliant. Had an email from them a couple days ago and when I went online could book slots for next three weeks. Sainsbury’s on the other hand, who I have had deliveries from for years, only offer slots a couple of days in advance. I can’t cope with that uncertainty. I want to know I can get food and when.
When this is over Tesco’s will retain my business.
Thanks to everyone who has responded. I felt overwhelmed for a moment.
I haven’t received any letter, my GP surgery said it’s not up to them and comes from NHS England! I’m an agency nurse and my consultant said shield dont leave house and no income now!! At a complete loss what to do. Very tempted to just go back to work rather than lose my house. Will discuss with my respiratory nurse on Friday when I get. My Xolair injections at the hospital
GP's can provide you with letters. Mine did stating that I am in the vulnerable group. I hope you manage to get this sorted as I know it is frustrating as I didn't have a letter for a while also, only got mine last week which was written by my GP and I'd been staying home already for nearly 7 weeks at that point. Must add that I have been very lucky that my boss has been so understanding and suppotive from the start. Don't just go back to work and put yourself at risk, especially in an environment like you woud be working in as a nurse, as that would put you at high risk. You should be entitled to full pay I believe. You could maybe call 111 and ask for their advice? I am not sure what you can do if your GP is refusing to help. Good luck.
I was i same boat as you and still no NHS letter and the GP is clueless and refused to help. I find it frustrating and I work in a school! I am on xolair and verbally told in clinic to shield. You should be shielding, the hospital respiratory nurse wrote a letter saying shielding and I am now self administering xolair injections. I can't believe how many GPs have got this wrong. My mum on the other rang hers and got a letter I have loads more meds than her, Shocking really especially if I got covid.
I have found Tesco been the most helpful and they will become our shop of choice now.
I only got my letter yesterday. It came from the respiratory team at the hospital.
I have not received a letter but in phone conversation with GP on 1st April they advised me to shield.
I've posted elsewhere about this in our group but just wanted to pipe in that I am high risk too and was shielding as I have severe asthma and adrenal insufficiency. I still somehow caught COVID (I think from a quick trip to the pharmacy to pick up an inhaler). I was pretty sick for a few weeks but I'm fine now and pretty much fully recovered! Just in case you need a success story 
Take good care and stay safe everyone.
I am from the US. Have esinophilic asthma, a severe form of asthma. My state is still getting over 400 covid19 cases a day. Been very stressed. Your recovery is encouraging. Thanks for posting.
I got a text which I was expecting in March followed by many more and then my letters. What we both didn't expect and still don't know why. Is why my husband was put in the extremely high group last week. He takes symbicort 400 twice a day. Bit late to be realising his in that category or any now. Luckily he doesn't work and has been being careful because of me.
I got a letter from my GP a month ago telling me I was extremely vulnerable and to shield for 3 months. But so far no calls from support groups and no supermarket slots which I really really need. I registered on the government website but still nothing. Is there something else the GP is meant to do?!
Try to call the supermarket again .. I finally got to talk to a human last week and got my deliveries sorted ... it is easier to get through now .. it was impossible the first 7 weeks !!!
She checked I was on the Gov list and hey presto all sorted !!! But it’s taken a lot of trying to get through !!
Ahh I didn’t realise you could call them! Is the number on their website somewhere?
Go onto the website .. I use Sainsbury so not sure on other stores .. but if you look at the contact me usually bottom of the page you will be directed to them. Be patient .. it’s taken me a long time to get through .. and make sure you already have an account with them .., it’s just easier .. but I’m sure if you don’t you can try anyway and they’ll sort it ...
good luck
Did you say you need help? The first time I registered, I said I could manage (because my aunt can top up my online orders and collect prescriptions), but that meant I didn't get priority slots. Went back and did the registration again, and this time said I needed help with shopping and prescriptions, and within a few days I had a call from the council, a food box (which I gave back as I'm a gluten-free vegetarian with allergies - which is also why no-one else can really do my main shopping, and I need the priority slots), and I was able to get in to websites and book deliveries.
I did that too but it made no difference .. I’m guessing every area is different and the councils have their own plans 🙄 ....
Try re-registering on the government website as I know a few people who registered, heard nothing, did it again and very quickly got the support in place.
Wow,I’m so shocked some of you are still only getting your letters now!!!! I had mine on March 23rd....almost 2 months ago!!! Crazy!!!!
And that some of you haven’t had government support! I’m really sad to hear that!!! That you’ve had to struggle through, when highly vulnerable. I really hope you get the support and help you need from now onwards!!!
It is a strange feeling getting the letter,but like some of the others have said,it’s to keep us safe! ...well a bit late to be honest for some of you guys!
Do keep safe everyone!
Dee
I’ve had Sainsbury’s deliveries for years and have had a text from them to say I’m in their vulnerable group but they only release slots a couple of days in advance and you have to keep checking. I have found that much too stressful as I don’t cope with uncertainty.
Tesco have been brilliant so far. 🤗🦠
I got my first letter in March aswell then another one in April. I also get phone calls once a week asking if I need help with anything which are lovely. I have a Sainsbury slot to but this only happened very recently, but very helpful.
Horse allergy and home situation
Shielding letter?
Received shielding letter, unsure why.
Preventers make it harder for me to breathe. Does this happen to anyone else?
That confusing middle ground ...
