Mild asthma - letter from Sainsburys

[Emerion]

I have mild asthma, well managed, so definitely not in the vulnerable category for COVID19. I live in Wales. I’ve just received an email from Sainsbury’s offering me priority for a delivery slot because they say I’m in the government data That they have received. I’m not going to take them up on it because it must be a mistake. I’m now concerned that the government data is just a blanket “anyone with any of the risk conditions” thing, because some less vulnerable people will be tempted to take the slots, and reduce those available for really vulnerable people. Anyone else received an inappropriate email?

[pffft2017]

That's very decent of you to think of others worse off. I think maybe it's a marketing ploy by Sainsbury's.

I can't see that the Information Commissioner's Office would allow or the NHS would pass on your personal medical conditions to a third party without your permission. I could be wrong, maybe they've suspended civil rights and data protection but myself I would be furious if they had.

I'd contact Sainsbury's and ask where this information came from.

[Bevvy in reply to pffft2017]

it is from the government and not a marketing ploy. They not disclosing medical information. Just informing supermarkets that person is highly vulnerable and therefore needs home delivery shopping service.

[Emerion in reply to pffft2017]

Hello,

I think it has genuinely come from the government. All of the big supermarkets have received this data from the government to help them prioritise people who really can’t get to the shops to buy food, rather than having to trust the public to be considerate. I’ve had emails from all of the supermarkets that I have ever shopped with online to explain to all of their customers that they will be using data like this to prioritise the vulnerable for deliveries. They all said something to the effect that the data would only be used for this purpose and then destroyed. It’s just that I don’t think I should be on the Sainsbury’s list, because I only use a blue inhaler.

[Bevvy in reply to Emerion]

Could it be to do with other conditions you have?

Although they have made a lot of errors with list. IE people not on list who should be. Therefore wouldn’t be surprising if odd person is other way around.

As you say if you don’t need it just don’t use it!

Stay safe.

[Emerion in reply to Bevvy]

I have no other health conditions. Like I said, my concern is that this list, whilst better than nothing, will not be doing the job it was designed to do.

You stay safe too 🙂

[tigga61 in reply to Emerion]

You could be on the list based on what meds you take. I have pretty well controlled asthma but I'm now on it as of yesterday due to meds

[Recordergirl in reply to tigga61]

I’ve got the opposite issue - I’ve had letter from NHS but despite being a customer I’ve had nothing from Tescos or Sainsbury’s. I think the system is overwhelmed which is why there so many discrepancies.

[SheilaC in reply to Recordergirl]

I registered as a vulnerable person and was very grateful to receive offers of a delivery slot from both Asda and Tesco. I had been trying for some time to get an Asda delivery but failed. I now have one coming on Sunday.

[Daisy2408]

I have had the e mail from Sainsburys and would like very much to save my family shopping for us but there are no slots available any time any day for the foreseeable future. I'm not sure priority is actually recognised beyond sending the original e mail.

[Bevvy in reply to Daisy2408]

You need to keep checking delivery slots. They seem to appear at different times of the day. I check several times a day and have been able to get slots when wanted.

[Daisy2408 in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you. I will try to be more assiduous. After trying several times I start to feel so miserable and headachy I give up the ghost. Must try harder. 😳 thank you again.

[Emerion in reply to Daisy2408]

My neighbours just got one for next week, which wasn’t there last time they looked, so good luck!

[Spikedog66]

I think anyone with any form of chest issues are vunerable some obviously more than others, it's be proven this virus does discriminate. You could ask people around you if they need anything you could order for them aswell as yourself this could help those who can't get slots for deliveries. I got a slot for asda and ordered for disabled and elderly around me who couldn't get supplies I washed and bagged it for them. I'm stuck in for at least 12 weeks it was just a little something I could do to help at this awful time. 😊

[Emerion in reply to Spikedog66]

That’s a good idea. We live in a fairly remote area and our nearest neighbours are elderly and haven’t been able to get a slot for delivery, so I could help them.

[watergazer]

I'm on the list and I have mild asthma and bronchiestasis ; also ulcerative colitis. People with asthma are very vulnerable as its a respiratory disease and covid 19 attacks the lungs. My GP son told me 6 weeks ago I wasn't to go shopping anymore and not to have close contact with any one apart from my husband Its awful and I miss my grandchildren's hugs. Facetiming and videos are wonderful but not the same as being there.

Use your priority listing. You are vulnerable. Stay home. Stay safe. Take care. x Anita

[Emerion in reply to watergazer]

It’s cruel isn’t it? All the best to you and your family x Laura

[Spikedog66]

Yep they will be grateful I'm sure we can do a little bit. You take care and be safe. My best wishes to you n yours. 👏👏👏👏

[Abc64]

I kept trying to contact Sainsburys, as it wouldn’t let me book a slot, as they haven’t been told I’m high risk. You can’t phone them and speak to anyone, as it is just a recorded message. I have stage 4 asthma, and I’m shielding. I had my text messages, and did what it said about registering on their system. Luckily, a close friend is able to shop for me at the moment, or I would be struggling.

[strongmouse]

You could try phoning your GP to see if they have you down as on the severely vulnerable risk list and ask them to take you off.

As always data on computers is only ever as good as the information put into it and administrators - and even professionals - can get it wrong. My husband was once handed the medicines for someone else with the same surname at the same surgery pharmacy. Fortunately it was spotted when being handed over and rectified.

[Emerion in reply to strongmouse]

Yes, that’s a good idea. Thanks

[Elspe]

Definitely not. Hubby has a form of blood cancer and was not put on the list = we had to phone the GP to ask him to remedy this, finally got his letter yesterday. It's all about data handling - and some people are not awfully good at this. Myself I have medium asthma, I've heard nothing. It seems many people have been left off the lists... it's more likely that Sainsbury's already have account details for you, and are trying to chase up loose ends. I'm sure some less vulnerable people will accept slots, but there's nothing we can do about that. If you need the slot, I would say go for it.