Advice on shielding has been updated by the NHS - please read through this carefully if you think it applies to you.
If you've not been contacted about shielding but think you are in a very high-risk group, the NHS now says you should contact your GP or care team to ask. It may be a good idea to wait until Monday 20 April to do this, as the remaining shielding letters - the ones reviewed by GPs and hospital doctors - are coming out this week. The NHS says that you may wish to follow shielding guidance in the meantime.
Read the latest information, plus tips on getting support and how to look after your asthma, here 👉 asthma.org.uk/coronavirus
Shielding is hard and it’s important for people to go into this only if the benefit you will get is weighed against the impact on your mental and physical wellbeing of staying at home for 12 weeks.
Written by
EmmaF91
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I got this email from Asthma UK that took me to this. I haven't had a letter but I checked with GP and was told 2 weeks ago today to shield so been doing that last 14 days now.
I checked by using the eConsult form on GP website and they rang me and confirmed.
The only way to know if they have this or not is to check the surgery website. It will be a blue square that has eConsult. If not on surgery website they may have a generic website.
Yes, I have read it. It is so important to check regularly as it changes a little from time to time.
I am not quite in that group, just one factor away. But I am still self isolating. I am 70+ , with asthma with meds that makes me more vulnerable, and I have also got hypertension (medicated of course) so I don’t rate my chances if I were to get COVID 19. But I consider myself lucky as I don’t have the worries so many other people suffer. We get all food delivered, and that has been interesting. It is definitely an element of pot luck. Basically just now I have plenty of frozen shredded cabbage, but very nearly out of bread. Etc. But that is minor concerns compared to many. I truly feel for people who have so much more to struggle with.
I hope you are ok. And everyone else in similar situation to yours. And I wish all of you all the best.
Sorry. It’s copy and pasted from Facebook. Ie I am just sharing what they have said just in case people don’t have them on social media/get their emails... i have now changed the title 😅
If that's your only medication then you wouldn't be in the sheilding group. However, you would still be classed as vulnerable so you would need to practice strict social distancing, including work.
Thanks Emma especially putting in the bit at the end regarding going into self shielding after weighing up the benefits and potential costs in sanity and living. I recieved my letter from NHS Scotland about the 27th of march since then i have had a further letter and also telephone call from my GP. I understand the need for isolation however after discussions with my wife have made the decision to return to work Im a self employed Plumber on emergency calls. Yes the government is going to help with costs but my family cant eat fresh air till june so financially i have to but also other than my hospital stays im never off work i take 1 week holiday a year so this is not doing my mental health much good. But thank you as this is a guideline from our government to safeguard us and the NHS but its not a law. Thanks Emma keep safe
I am so confused. Having received a text and then phoned the docs surgery which have said i must shield which I have been doing since the lock down.
On the Asthma web site it says you have to have ‘3’ of the named. I have asthma, take symbicort/400 2 puffs twice a day. Sometime more and have had an extra steroids in the past but not for at least 1year.
Am I doing the right thing or can I go for a walk etc? I see others (distant friends on FB) who are going out and I know have had letters from government. I suppose it’s up to them . So confusing.
Would appreciate any comments from people who are similar and reassurance
In theory, according to the guidance in Emma's AUK link, you probably don't have to be shielding. But I think some people will have received letters where they don't meet the criteria. That said, you should be following social distancing measures very carefully as you're still vulnerable. It's confusing having had the text and many people will want to shield, or largely shield anyway.
I think even those shielding can pop out for a quiet walk if they feel happy to do so, obviously avoiding other people. I know the letters say to stay at home but some people don't have outside space at home for example.
I'm so pleased to see the guidance has been updated. I was really surprised to get a text and letter as my asthma is very well controlled albeit I do use quite a high dose of Flutiform. I also have mild bronchiectasis. I was really struggling with not going out to walk as it helps my lungs, and was torn about what to do. I will still be really careful but will be going out for a long walk in the countryside. I know it says that shielding still applies because I received the letter but that must just be because they don't want to confuse people!
As far as I can see, the shielding thing is pretty voluntary. Hubby is shielding, as he has got his letter after we chased it up. He still goes for long walks (alone) but tries to distance as much as possible. He doesn't do shopping, or go out to see people at all.
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