I have severe COPD. I have registered on the UK Gov list as 'at risk' but apparently need a letter from my GP. The practice advises me that they are not sending out letters for this purpose. I need to be on this list as, like everyone else, I am struggling with online delivery slots.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please.
any Thanks.
Your Gp doesn't need to write a letter he/she has online access weekly to update the "List" you might like to remind them of that. 
Can he refuse to do this. Ask him to check his nhs website.
I'm having the same issue. The surgery say its nothing to do with them. Jane
If you are extremely vulnerable a letter should be sent to you in the next week or so as they are still adding to the list . If you feel you haven’t been added you could contact your respiratory physicians secretary to see if you can be added via them.
All the letters are out now. Last date to receive 6th April .
And then make a formal complaint to the gp and cqc and anyone else who can make them do the job they are paid for.I am extremely lucky my gp letter arrived very early into the lock down. They are making a stressful situation much harder than it needs to be. By not doing as nearly every other gp surgery has done. It should be thear responsibility to keep their vulnerable patients safe. In the mean time have you tride your local shop lots are offering delivery now to help out. Stay safe and I hope you are sorted soon
I was informed yesterday I was on the shielding list by my surgery. Basically they wanted permission to give my medical records to hospitals etc. She stated that the government had placed me on the list on the advice of my GP. I still have not had an actual letter. They said I would be sent one. Ring the governments advice line to see if you are on their list. The letter does not in reality do much. It is physically being on the Governments list that will help as that is what is passed on to the supermarkets, councils and voluntarily groups.
The number is 0800 0288327.
i have litter and I have registered with gov and nothing at all as they dont see that we are at risk
Hi Kismet,
You need your GP to write a 'coded letter' however that works, to the NHS, it is his responsibility to inform the NHS who, in his surgery, are vulnerable and at risk. The receptionists have no idea, so make a telephone appointment with them to speak to your GP.
Happy day even so and keep well and safe.
Hi letters are still coming out , I have actually had three different letters but most advise to follow initial letter received which in my case is dated the 21st of March at that time I was waiting for an Op which was cancelled the day before the date on the letter. So not sure if the letters come from the GP or the hospital. They definately come by computer generation I beleive . As I understand it Tescos have employed extra to meet demand so even people who are not on highly vulnerable list should be able to get a slot its very much pot luck or persistance . Those on the vulnerable list also get a hamper so would not be left without food but not maybe what they normally eat. Good luck. May I ask why you need delivery as I know totally blind who still have to make their own arrangements, of course some of us normally have help that has been stopped due to Coronavirus regulations.
My surgery secretary says nothing to do with GPs. NHS England accessed their files and they decided who should be on the list.
GPs did not make the decision.
NHS send out letters, not GPs. However, this contradicts with all the government websites.
Just going round in circles.
That's correct my letter came from NHS Wales x
This is correct, my letter came from NHS England x
If you registered on the Gov.uk site you should soon be contacted by one or more supermarkets regarding priority slots. That is what happened to me approx 2 weeks after registering. I still haven't had the letter and my consultant says she will look into it and contact my GP if she herself can't add me. Its so frustrating; good luck with everything.
I haven't had a letter, but did register with the GOV.UK site a few weeks ago and 3 days ago I got a text from Sainsburys saying the Gov. had advised them i was on the vulnerable list and would now have access to priority delivery slots. I have to sya this has made no difference whatsoever. When I log onto sainsburys it still says 'we don't recognise you as vulnerable'....so I con't see that this list is of much use anyway.
I read that if you put yourself on the gov list, the gov will check with NHS if the consider you vulnerable then you are added to the official list.
I think it takes more than a few days for the supermarkets to get the information after registering. Mine took 1-2 weeks.
You dont need a letter-just sign up through the Gov link for ‘extremely vulnerable’ box tick it and send back its electronic.
You will wait 7-10 days might be less and then get a priority slot with a supermarket and other help from local council.
It does work-but its slow. I was one of the 600,000 left off too initially, but finally managed to order my first delivery which i had to wait another 10 days for arriving Monday.
There are also volunteer groups who can collect prescriptions and do essential shopping. Hope that helps.
Janzo xx
That’s a dreadful predicament to be in.
A friend of mine had the same issue.
She telephoned her local council
And it was resolved in 24 hours!
Hold out until Tuesday if you can and then phone.
Good luck
Hi Kismet 23
My initial letter came from GP followed up by one from secretary of state for health.
From what I understand the vulnerable register originates from GP lists.
I would advise you to contact your GP and say you think you are eligible.
I am also under care of local hosp respiratory consultant but don't think they have anything to do with compiling vulnerable list.
If you are desperate for food as we were and unable to get online shopping slot please also ring your local council shielding department -we got emergency food parcels ,nothing fancy but oh so welcome.
Best of luck
I received my Letter but it doesnt come from the GP. Mine came from the Health Board in my area. They have all been sent out as should have received by 6th April. X Sheila
If you think you have fallen through the net, and a lot of folks have. Give this Number a bash 0800 028 8327 you can register your support needs
I received a text on Tuesday 7th to say I was considered high risk and a letter would follow.
Hi Kismet23, I'm in the same boat, not sure what to do next. Living in wales there is no option to self-register with the NHS. I'm told the list has been drawn up by the Chief med officer in Wales. Those were the initial letters. All the advise online says to contact GP if a letter isn't received, but on phoning the surgery I'm told it isn't the GPs that send the letters, which is probably correct, however it seems from what I've read here in the replies and on the BLF website on sheilding that ultimately it's the GP or clinician who can make the recommendation to be put on the list.
So it's back to the surgery to ask if this has happened. It would be nice to know.
I've since found my Consultant letters which specify the severity of my lung disease, and I'm considering writing to my MP and / or local councillor with copies attached.
I rang GP surgery and doctor 'phoned back, didn't know her, never spoken to her before and she said severe Emphysema, together with my Heart Failure and Heart Disease (6 stents) do not count! She also asked why I wanted to be on the list. Nothing I can do, is there?
Hi
Just spotted this post. I would ask the BMC what qualifications, if any, this "doctor" has and I would report her. You should have told her that it was none of her business as to why you wanted to be on the list.
Thank goodness she is not my doctor!!!
Be safe
Kevin
So sorry to hear that Hampshire lass.
The infrastructure is not quite in place yet but is slowly getting there.
Suggest you register on govt website even though you don't have letter.
Ring your GP back on Tuesday.
Ring local council shielding dept (Leicestershire were awesome for us)
E mail your local MP
Best of luck it's horrid to have the extra stress of all this when you are not well.
I finally had an email from Asda re priority delivery 3weels after chasing them and relying on food parcels from council.
You will get there stay safe
LET me just say none of this work for any of us or then again it well work for a few i got into my gp and he send me a litter i have it here now but it does not work unless they put you on the gov list i also reg with gov but they send me text thur saying that gp or hosp have not put me on there list i cant get anything so i know the NHS are doing there best but them in the back office are not doing anything right for us it every man woman and kid for them self
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