I Don't want a Letter: Just like to say... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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I Don't want a Letter

Prada47 profile image
33 Replies

Just like to say I hope I don't get an NHS letter. I wouldn't like to have to be shielded for 12 weeks, and I don't want to know that I am more than Vulnerable !!

It will be interesting to see if Heart Failure does come Under Respiratory OK I get short of breath but not to the extent of someone with COPD or Asthma.

Take Care People

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Prada47 profile image
Prada47
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33 Replies
Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

Sharing your hope for both of us, Prada!

Looking at the 'official list' I don't think I need to worry overmuch - but if that letter doesn't drop on my mat by the end of Friday 29th March post run, I will be telephoning (per PM, and FM Scotland where I live, verbal instruction today during their daily press briefings) the cardiac nurse to be sure.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

I don’t think I will get a letter. But looking around the world I am sure we all will have to self isolate to keep ourselves and others safe very soon if not now. Please be safe

skid112 profile image
skid112Heart Star

Pretty sure you'll get one, like it or not. Just keep doing what you are to stay free of it

IanGordon profile image
IanGordon

Isn't getting a letter like getting a place in the lifeboat, albeit with 12 weeks at sea?

Just a thought...

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toIanGordon

I once had to ride out a storm off Dover! And it was less than 12 hours! Having looked at the latest update I am not in the highest risk group unless I become pregnant! I wonder if because of the sheer volume of people there might be a second tranche, or even third, of people...

IanGordon profile image
IanGordon in reply toMichaelJH

Just because your not at risk of getting a letter doesn't mean you're not at risk.

Just saying

Although I have to confess that the thought of being at an even higher risk than 'Joe Average' is an unnerving reality.

Draconian measures on their way - purely because of too low a take -up of expert advice on social distancing. Disappointing, although all too predictable, I'm afraid.

tunybgur profile image
tunybgur in reply toIanGordon

Yes, there are too many people who don't consider this advice applies to them....unbelievable, although as you say, sadly predictable.

IanGordon profile image
IanGordon in reply totunybgur

Yep - Covid 19 is indescriminate and will have a go at anyone and as in nature, predates on the vulnerable and the complacent!

ahk59 profile image
ahk59 in reply toIanGordon

Love it ,what a great way of looking at it

Roamie profile image
Roamie

Hello, I have been out of the loop for a few days. I am sorry to show ignorance, but - what letter is this?

Best wishes to you all, keep safe.

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo in reply toRoamie

Roamie if you are in the vulnerable category you should get a letter from the NHS asking you to self isolate for 12 weeks which you are doing anyway. I think that the letter also offers contact information for you to get medicines delivered and assistance with food parcels. Be safe

ahk59 profile image
ahk59

Funny you saying that.Was saying sane thing to my Husband that I hope I dont get a letter.Dont know if NHS Scotland are sending them out.Like you I have heart failure but haven't been breathless at all since taking it 6 yrs ago.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toahk59

Yes - we Scots deemed in the 'high-risk vulnerable' group will be receiving letters through our doors over this week (23-28 March 2020). During her daily press briefing yesterday the FM said she thinks the number is around 200K and has been included in the 1.5m announced yesterday at the PM's daily briefing.

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toSunnie2day

The severe high risk category seems to have changed and only mentions Pregnant women with Congenital Heart disease now.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply tobee2

Really? I'll have to go have an updated look at that!

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toSunnie2day

They have redefined a group of ' extremely vulnerable' individuals about 1.5 m people who they are going to ask to self isolate.

GPs will be able to add any patient not on the new list.

Many of us are still at 'particularly high risk' so should social distance with greater care.

I expect it could all change over the next few days.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toMilkfairy

Milkfairy, you are definitely a Heart Star!

Looking at your posted links (thank-you for that posting), I see no changes or deletions - the list is as it was yesterday.

Thank-you!

Roamie profile image
Roamie

I emailed the cardiology dept and my surgeon on Tuesday at Kings College Hospital to find out if I counted as being in a 'high risk' group, but have received no reply as yet. I am sure they are overwhelmed, but thought a round-robin email would be forthcoming. Any ideas, anyone, please?

Roamie profile image
Roamie

Thank you.

I was not expecting them to do anything, just let me know, but my circumstances have now moved on, and I am self isolating to be with my mother, who is recovering from bronchial pneumonia.

Take care everyone.

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13

My son has asthma and has been told he will receive a call from GP on Tuesday

Roamie profile image
Roamie

Yes, I'm not a panicker, it is no longer relevant as to whether I should be isolating, because I am doing so!

We are doing bite-size..take it a week at a time and see where we are then, easier that way. Long term plans are kind of out of the window anyway.

I have been told to catch up on countryfile, as there is a young lad who is an excellent photographer on there tonight.

I dont need a letter I have enough shortness of breath and chest pain to know I really dont need things getting any worse.

Padalak6 profile image
Padalak6

Hi all, I have ischaemic heart disease, angina and type 1 diabetes, from what I have been reading I dont think I will get a letter as I fall into the 2nd category list. Agreed yesterday by my employer I am self isolating for 2 weeks though. If I get a letter at any point then so be it. Stay safe and well everyone. X

I don't want one either. On the other hand I received a text, a reminder of a hospital appointment on the 31st which I know nothing about. 2 points, I know nothing about this, and also, why are they asking me to go out under these circumstances?

Ramblingross profile image
Ramblingross in reply to

I was in same boat...told to stay home then hospital brought my heart echo forward to today...what to do...l decided to go and have it done...told l was one of the last now for months.....it really was a concern wether to go or not but feel better now it's done...hope l don't regret it....

in reply to

I had another text. My appointment is now on the phone. It's Digestive Diseases. I don't know who asked for this nor why

You won't get one I think.. From what I can see the first list is terminally ill people. The next list will be us lot with cardiac issues...

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Well from what I can gather we will all know by Friday

Stay safe people

Tinker2015 profile image
Tinker2015

I have asthma but not severe symptoms not sure if it counts as list says severe asthma all confusing.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

We have both been self isolating for two weeks; just one trip out to the shop a week and wearing gloves and scarf ( Couldn't get a mask) and cleaning every door handle after we come in. But if the lack of deliveries for food stays as it is , we will be forced out. I have a delivery due this week and next hen we've had it. Last week I only got half of what I ordered. If they don't do something urgently about food, we will ALL have to go out.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Here is the official list of those who must isolate for 12 weeks.

The Government has today said the 1.5million most vulnerable people in the UK will be asked to stay at home for the next 12 weeks.

The list includes those with specific conditions that make them most vulnerable to the worst impacts of the new coronavirus Covid-19.

The list is...

Solid organ transplant recipients

People with specific cancers

People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer

People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment

People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer

People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors.

People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs.

People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD

People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell disease)

People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection

Women who are pregnant and who also have significant heart disease, congenital or acquired

They will receive communication shortly with detailed advice on behalf of their GP practice or specialist on how best to protect themselves.

A raft of new measures, including a helpline for the most in need of support, have been set out for those considered to be extremely vulnerable due to their medical conditions, so people know exactly how to care for themselves and others in the coming months.

It was also announced that a new Local Support System will make sure those individuals self-isolating at home and who are without a support network of friends and family will receive basic groceries. Community pharmacies will support those who need help getting their medicines delivered.

Yasyass profile image
Yasyass

I too hope I don’t get a letter it will make more anxious

Andrew1966 profile image
Andrew1966

I think this letter is a bit of a double edge sword, I don't really want to stay isolated for 12 weeks but it is better than slowly dying in hospital alone. Good luck to everyone

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