The Royal College of Paediatricians updated and extensively revised their clinical guidance yesterday. In it, they reviewed and changed those children and conditions deemed automatically to require shielding. Unless requiring oxygen or any kind of ventillatory support (including overnight NIV), children with cf, non cf bronch, ILD and severe asthma etc. are now described as being category B. This means that when the current shielding guidance expires at the end of June in England (not sure how it applies in other parts of the UK with their shielding extensions, yet) children will be shielding on a case by case basis. The decision will be made by the involved clinicians, in conversation with the families, taking the child’s individual health and circumstances into account. I’ve confirmed this with our team today, but unfortunately couldn’t get a definitive answer as to whether or not Bod will be told to continue shielding, and it is a little bit of a moot point unless the guidance changes for me. On which note...
Obviously I can’t say for sure, and I could be completely wrong, but I’m wondering if this may have some bearing on why there’s been little mention of what will be announced next week for shielding generally in England, and anticipate that similar changes to shielding criteria could be made for adults in the not too distant future. Whilst only effecting kids at the moment, and I realise they are generally deemed lower risk anyway, it’s certainly a big departure from guidance to date and is what many more well individuals within certain patient groups have been calling for.
Hi Charlie & everybody. According to the text & letter I received back in mid March, my 12 week shielding should be coming to an end this Sunday & frankly I'm looking forward to it,
The advice was updated weeks ago, LoncinLad. Unless they’ve since been told they no longer need to shield, anyone that’s received a letter or txt should continue shielding until at least the 30th of June, regardless of the 12 weeks and letter date. Boris is making an announcement next week regarding continued shielding in England, but Wales and Scotland have both already extended their guidance for the extremely vulnerable to continue shielding until the end of July. I’m hoping the confirmed shift in paediatrics towards tailored advice means that something similar might happen for adults, but some people are still going to need to shield for quite a while yet.
I know: I’m wondering if the shift in paeds (which is confirmed as definite) reflects something similar in the pipeline for adults. A tailored approach over a blanket one.
That’s the way I understood it. I think it was Matt Hancock who mentioned this last week. They are reviewing everything with the aim of providing personalised advice. Everyone on the shielding list is supposed to be contacted after the 15th of June. He gave the impression this would be from your GP, but I suspect it will be a series of texts again.
I also read somewhere, the nobody should be taken off the shielding list without having a conversation with their clinician first.
Mine already told us no going out or people coming in (apart from medical staff) until chemotherapy, any further therapy (SABR), plus recovered immune system complete.
Could be some time, but we don't mind - I'd rather get a bit better.
As it is, scans are still necessary but under very carefully controlled conditions.
I personally will continue to shield myself until such time as i feel that the transmission rates of infection are well under the magic R figure of one and that the daily figures of new infections have shown a consistent and dramatic dip.also that any track and trace system has shown to be useful and fit for purpose.
I am not sure why people feel the need for a proclamation from the government or indeed a date to resume life as normal although i do appreciate that those having the responsibilty of caring for the young and elderly and for those with serious health conditions will need guidance and reassurance and their shielding decisions are a lot more complicated than my own.Also those with family and grandchildren who are yearning to be reunited.
I know what you mean and agree to some extent. Despite the huge challenges, I would quite contentedly shield us both until there’s a vaccine. I’m actually sick and tired of seeing people complain about having to shield and wanting to know when it’s going to end; I don’t need or want a proclamation from the government and will do what’s best for us as I see fit, but it’s also really not that straightforward now that lockdown is being eased. We have multiple statutory agencies involved, multiple medical teams who have started asking us to come in locally for non-urgent tests and appointments (although they’ve been fine with postponing or continuing over the phone so far), we’re being told the school we’ve literally just got the child into after 11 months more or less out of education is planning for her class to return at the end of June (class size is only 4 including her and it’s a highly specialist school for autistic children), all our usual forms of support and sanity - however limited - have disappeared out the window for months, the child herself is barely coping with life, and we’ve just had it confirmed that children will be removed from the shielding list if the doctors deem it clinically appropriate.
I do very strongly feel that tailored advice is the right way forward.
Yes thats why i made a provisio that peeps like yourself looking after the little person have a multitude of complications to deal with and need a thoroughly joined up approach and care plan individually tailored tp your needs,i think as you will have judged i was more aiming at the individuals without those special responsibilities who must learn to use their own judgement and common sense.
I would have thought that a tailored approach for E would be essential. If she doesn’t come into the shielded category then I can’t imagine who would. You must also be concerned for yourself regarding shielding.
I hope you are both coping in 5*, amazing Dad and amazing Daughter.
Sadly, the modern world doesnt seem to do an individual tailored approach to anything. It's a one_size_fits_all approach to just about everything, seems to me.
Dubious times and changes seem to be made on the fly so to speak. There are still so many mixed and confusing reports in news items. I have stage 4 lung disease but am not under the care of a specialist and have never been hospitalised with it so far so suspect that I may well be downgraded but if I am I will not feel safe to go out and about.
I think that everyone, no matter what age, will need to do their own risk assessment and err on the side of caution. That is something I feel sure that you will do for yourself and your daughter.
Hi I’m also in Scotland and received a tx on Monday then a letter yesterday to continue to shield and yes a long road yet for us but with the exercise allowed outside from next week will help as long as the weather stays nice lol 😂
Yes I am in that category, and whilst I haven't liked shielding I have felt safer doing so, I am lucky in as much as I have been on my contracted hours pay, although I always work about another 10 hours pw so I have lost quite a bit of money, having said that health is more important, before I left social distancing was absymal I'm just hoping when/if I go back the end of June it will have improved but I'm not holding my breath, it's a shame because I love my job as a postman and miss being out and meeting customers, it's just in the office when our preparation time is 2 hours + before we go out on our walk, so being in the office is the problem, it's going to be a hard decision should I get the chance of going back or continue shielding, I must say though it must be terrible for people who are in a job were payment isn't so forthcoming, i.e zero hour contracts or self employed, I hope the government ups their game helping these people.
My daughter is shielding she is fortunate that she is an accountant and her company are supportive and can work from home.
My company where I work full time asked me to go back 18 May ,I consulted with her respiratory team and they advised me to ask for continued furlough.
My company agreed but I know they are not happy and have said I'm going to have 50% of my leave taken away as in their words '3months holiday is enough for anyone!!!!
I'm dreading it being extended for the backlash I'm likely to get.
Mentally I feel under immense pressure
My 24yr old daughter has ppfe a rare lung disease associated with a bone marrow transplant and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
She had to go to hosp 18 May with pains and was diagnosed with hydropneumothorax (partially collapsed lung with escaped fluid and air).
4 days later she went for a check up and it was improving. 10 days later another check up revealed it was worse than the 1st visit, that the hole hadnt closed and the collapse was more and they said if it wasn't for covid she'd have been operated on already. The consultatants had a meeting the next day and the surgeon at Guys said it's a tricky procedure to close the hole in her lungs and wont operate as it's too risky at the moment .
Mentally the stress of everything is immense, the shielding isnt just affecting those who live alone but those shielding with them .😞
I’m so sorry to hear that, it would really help people in your type of situation if the government actually set rules for employers about this, so they couldn’t put pressure on those who live with the shielded.
I have little faith in these announcements, much of it seems to be guesswork. They might as well employ a clairvoyant. I am going to continue shielding and only venturing out for vital supplies in the evening. Shops near me are very strict and employ security guards to enforce social distancing.
I agree with Skiscool, Azure_Sky and some others that we will all need to make our own decisions based on our individual personal circumstances.
I for one will not be taking Government advice as it all seems to be guesswork if you ask me.
I will also be having some long discussions with my employers as I have been one of the fortunate ones to 100% successfully work from home and will continue to do so until I feel comfortable going back to work and even then, we will be going back to the office on a rota basis because of lack of space at work to social distance safely.
The risks are still too high for me to go out and carry on as normal plus I have young children to think about.
I have no faith in the Government (going by the great job they have done so far NOT) and so I use my own common sense and carry on shielding, with only the nurses having access to my home, although if well I will go for a short walk on a field round the corner.
So for me the only difference any easing which would concern me is a lack of supermarket slots and perhaps alternative access whilst visiting GP. Come to think of it if cf/bronch/pcd clinics open and the nurses stop visiting, travel will be a problem. I can’t see our team wanting that.
However I do appreciate it can have a huge impact on those who are working who will then be expected to go into work and potentially be put at great risk to Covid.
A friend of mine reminded me that civil liberties are at stake also here. She is in an area where they have plans for a nuclear installation and with any easing she will not be able to attend meetings they can then hold, nor will she be able to vote as this has to be done in person.
We have seen this recently when MPs shielding or living with someone who was shielding were expected to attend in person to vote.
It really has wider implications.
If they do follow in their decision on paediatric shielders, then I hope it is not a blanket decision and that decisions are tailored for each person.
My view is that, ultimately, we have to do our own risk assessments and make judgements based on our own lives. I do not feel the government or the NHS should be making blanket decisions, I want to make the decision. They advise and I consider. I am shielding and accept this is my way of life for now. If I was removed from the list, I’d have somewhat of an issue as my job brings me into close contact with many people. I was asked for my shielding letter by HR. That said, I’ll play it by ear. I think my combo of meds and health problems would mean I’d be on the list so I’m not worried. The shielding letter is important for some working people. Apart from that, you do what you gotta do to keep safe, people. Take care. 💐
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