Hi after some advice. I live in Scotland and not sure if I should of received the government letter. I have had cll for nearly 15 yrs. Get infections all the time so have IvIg 6mths of every year. Consultant phoned to tell me to self isolate for 12wks. Live on my own . Having difficulty getting slots for online shopping. Had to give up work last year as infections got too bad. So what I am asking is do I fall in high risk group and should I contact government for letter? Help please x
I am in high risk group?: Hi after some advice... - CLL Support
I am in high risk group?
Hi Frodo, yes you do fall into high risk. Anyone with CLL does with or without treatment. You should have had a letter. Call you GP, haemotology department or local council they should be able to help.
Stay safe and well
Ann
The letter that I received stated ( and I’m paraphrasing) that you are in the high risk category if you had any blood cancer or leukaemia no matter what stage of treatment you were - w & w is still a stage as is IVIG 6 months a year. I believe you should contact your hospital or GP.
I haven't received a letter either, so what I did do was that I contacted my local council and they recorded me as being 'high risk' due to my CLL.
Like yourself I am in my 15th year since diagnosis, I'm still on W&W.
The Council department that I contacted was 'Community Matters'
Thank you
Yes high risk contact council for support you need, medicines, food slot or food, network of volunteers set up.
You should contact your local council, I did as my phone number didn't appear to be recognised as I didn't get automated response from shielding text and I got a response the same day. I was offered help with shopping, medication uplift etc. Very relieved!
Good luck.
Frodo, Yes you do fall into the category of "extremely vulnerable" according to NHS England. "Leukaemia at any stage of treatment" I recall as the definition. But..... Scotland has a devolved government not bound by what the evil colonial masters do south of the border. As it happens we have our son and daughter-in-law who do shopping for us but our local Council has contacted me, as I am the person needing shielding, to check that we are all right and don't need any support or help. I was pretty impressed by that, I have to say. I have had the magic letter from my GP surgery and the hospital plus a note (as well as the phone call) from the Council. Perhaps your consultant can get you on your local Council's list for support, such as shopping.
Thank you everyone who has replied. Have confirmed an in vulnerable group. Phoned the council they were not very helpful would not register me as did not have letter. All they would do was give me charity number and to call my gp. Called gp to be told government sends letters out and all they could do was give me a charity number. Made me feel was looking for something did not deserve. I am very independent never been good at asking for help. This has put me off completely. Hope you all are staying safe and well x x
Frodo, this sounds like you've had the dirty end of the stick and no mistake. I don't know whether the fault lies with Ms Sturgeon or your GP surgery. Are there any other fellow CLL sufferers in Scotland and have they had the letter?