Covid-19

[Yota]

Hi everyone! I had a surgery in my heart and I have a metal aortic valve. I am support worker and I self isolate but my manager text me and asked me if I have received a letter in order to give it to HR. I haven't received a letter and this makes me worry because I might have to go back to work. Can someone advise me please?

Thank you 🤗

[Midgeymoo17]

It is probably not the advice you want to here but there were two distinctly different lists the Government Released:

1) Co-Morbidities that make people "Vulnerable" to a bad infection with COVID-19

2) Co-Morbidities that make people "High-Risk".

The first one is a larger group (i believe estimate stand at 19 million) and includes Cardiac Conditions- including valve replacements.

The second group is the 1.5 million who have received letters - and excludes most cardiac conditions.

The advice to group 1: no need to shield but should only be going into work if it is not possible to work from home and ideally social distancing measures should be in place in the work place. [Basically same rules as everybody else but with the recommendation they should be more stringently followed}].

The advice to Group 2: To shield. Doctor/ NHS will supply a letter confirming that you need to do this that can be sent to your employer.

Cardia Valve Disease, which is the only thing you mention, in isolation falls into group 1. So, unfortunately, they are not breaking any guidance should they ask you back to work. {And no you probably should not have received a letter]. This said - you have not listed any of your medications etc. and inclusion in Group 2 can depend on medications (blood thinners are not a medication that qualify for group 2 classification).

If you are unsure whether you should be on list 2 I have attached the link with the list and further information about the group receiving letters:

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/...

You can also ring your GP and have double check whether you meet the shielded criteria or not (the algorithm for identification can miss people).

[HectorsDad in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Really interesting to follow this link, thanks, and very curious results for me.

As an asthmatic, the combination of drugs that have kept me going for a few years would put me in category one (Fostair + Prednisolone) and I would have received the letter.

However, since my heart attack last year I was instructed not to take Prednisolone because of other meds, with a strict warning to be especially careful etc with chest infections/flu/colds which nearly always turn to pneumonia without it.

So, my heart condition puts me at some risk, and makes my asthma risk even higher because I can’t take the meds, but drops me off the highest risk list because I don’t have prescriptions for that med anymore!

I think I’m cross about that ( although not sure it would make any difference at the moment, apart from getting a delivery slot with Sainsbury’s).

[MelB51 in reply to HectorsDad]

I have the letter and I can honestly say that it makes no difference to life apart from being put on the supermarket’s list for priority delivery. I had a mail from Tesco telling me that delivery slots would be available for me, being at high risk from covid-19 infection but you don’t get an actual time, just for example, between 2pm and 8pm. They will text before they arrive. What if I’m out having a pedicure or meeting friends for cocktails though? 🍸😂😂😂😂

[Alison_L in reply to MelB51]

I'd be racing my motorbike up and down the empty(ish) roads

[Yota in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Thank you so much for your reply!!!

[Walkingf]

Hi Yota, I also had a similar situation arise, I also am a care worker, (although day care tutor) they at first were understanding, then asked about The LETTER! Which I didn't qualify for! I trawled many avenues for information and sent them an email why I thought I was at enhanced risk and a copy of my monthly medications, They did a risk assessment on me, which I had to agree and I have now been Furloughed on medical grounds. Hope that is some use, good luck.

[mumsastudent in reply to Walkingf]

Other than low immunity & chest problems what else makes you cat 2?My husband has a quite a few issues (type 2 diabetes, moderate chronic ITP (low platelets) no medication unless he has operation, aortic valve replacement 2014 (tissue because he cant have anticoagulation because of ITP) & last year 6 weeks in hospital with sepsis & possible endocarditis (he was lucky no side effects) problem is his consultant has retired & he is yet to see new consultant so he may have slipped off the map

[AndreaParr in reply to mumsastudent]

Hey, thanks for the info, I'm going through the same situation

[Walkingf]

Hi, just for information, I listed the Prime minister's address on 16/3 when the chief medical officer stated that" people who are advised to have the flu injection on medical grounds are advised to take greater care as there are significant risks for them" also that underlying conditions , particularly the heart are present in the vast majority of fatalities, and reminded them of there duty of care to staff! The stay at home advice etc, I got there in the end! Good luck, stay safe!

[Yota in reply to Walkingf]

Thank you so much for your help! Do you know where can I find this information? Thank you

[Walkingf in reply to Yota]

I will see what I've got and personal message it to you over the next 24 hrs