Shielding letter from NHE

[Miggins60]

I received my shielding letter from NHE today. I am on watch & wait. I’ll see if any supermarket contacts me with priority slots. Fortunately I was able to register as a vulnerable customer directly with Tesco a couple of weeks ago, and although still online at midnight waiting for the priority slots to release, I’ve been able to get a weekly order in.

[Psmithuk]

I finally received The Letter from my GP after three telephone calls over four weeks. That was 15th April, but I haven't heard from Tesco yet. (I’m in Wales).

[graunty in reply to Psmithuk]

I am in the same situation, living in Wales, had to chase my GP for a letter but still not able to get my home delivery as the companies I managed to speak to don't have me on their lists from the Government. It seems that the Gp s are sending out the letters but not following through by adding us to the list for the supermarkets . It's very frustrating!

[UKfulloflife]

Sorry to say this but......don't hold your breath! I was one of the very first to get the letter, am a regular shopper at both Waitrose and Tesco, but neither can offer me online slots. After many phone calls and emails, I've got to the bottom of it. It seems you need to have been a regular online shopper (certainly where Waitrose are concerned) before they will offer you priority slots - even if you are recognised as extremely vulnerable. Several years ago, I shopped online every month with Sainsburys, and thank goodness I did, as they are the only ones who have recognised my shielding status.

If nothing else, make sure you register with the Govn website so that you will have access to food delivery parcels if all else fails.

Good luck!!

[Miggins60 in reply to UKfulloflife]

It all seems very disjointed doesn’t it!

[devonrr in reply to UKfulloflife]

A surprise today as a food parcel arrived. I did say on the phone last week no parcel! My shielding letter arrived a few days ago.

So once known, action begins even though I live semi rural (50 miles to the nearest motorway). Surprisingly no mushy peas!

Thank you government, the products I don’t eat will eventually make their way to the local food bank.

Government you were slow but you didn’t realise how many of us there were!

[blowinginthewind]

I have now had 2 letters and a text. The one from the cancer hospital I am patient at -The Christie in Manchester - is very firmly worded. You don't go out of your house at all part from into the garden. We have had some food boxes from council, and I have had emails telling to log on to Ocado where I will find available slots. I am coeliac, and Ocado fits my need ore than most of the other supermarkets. My husband isn't leaving the house except to go to his allotment, where he stays a long long way from people. I don't like being indoors all the time, but it is better than the alternative. I have "a significant number" of enlarged lymph nodes in my lungs, and in early February during a very routine procedure unconnected to CLL went badly wrong when my lungs filled with fluid and I had to be put into a coma and ventilated. I am supposed to have a scan to see what they are doing - still there, getting more of them or less of the etc The hospital tell me that all scans are going ahead . Lungs with issues isn't good for someone with coronavirus .

[Ernest2]

Here's the site mentioned below that you must register with to get on the gov list (yes even though another org has sent you a letter):

gov.uk/coronavirus-extremel...

From my experience (others prob different) it took about 2 weeks before gov then notified my supermarket (my supermarket has just acknowledged today that I am now on the list, after a few weeks of telling me I wasn't and it would take some time, and rejecting my GP letter). They also warned me to say yes to the gov question that you do need help to get food (no friends family to do the shopping). The council rang me yesterday to check if I needed the mushy peas.

I've heard from others here on HU that my online only supermarket is not taking any new customers. Wonder if in parallel to Tesco you could try Sainsbury's - but I'm thinking they will want to see you on the gov list first.

Hope all that makes sense.

P.S. If you are a home baker, to avoid the Chorleywood stuff then try:

nabim.org.uk/consumers/wher...

The supplier in my area was 7.5 kg min order in 1.5kg bags, and you needed to refresh your browser after 10:00am when they accept orders, else no add to basket button . . . Simples!

Best wishes to all,

Ernest

[Miggins60 in reply to Ernest2]

Thanks. Very helpful advice.

[tubbing]

So far only Sainsbury's and Tesco have contacted us to say we have priority slots, but as you've found out that doesn't help at Tesco (not tried Sainsbury recently) Morrisons have priority delivery if you live within 2.5k of a store. as we are 3 miles from the nearest shop that's not much help. Good luck. Are you getting the Govt food parcels?

[Miggins60 in reply to tubbing]

Thanks. No food parcels. The shielding letter from NHE says if I need food and can’t get it I can apply for food parcels from local authority. I can afford to buy so would prefer to leave the parcels to those who can’t. I’ve just got a slot with Ocado (have been customer for years), but not because of priority status. Mags

[Ernest2 in reply to Miggins60]

That's good luck.

Stick with Ocado, register on the gov website and give it a week or two fornthe gov notification to get through tonthem.

In the meantime send them your letter.

Best wishes,

Ernest

[tubbing in reply to tubbing]

We registered and said we were Ok for food but the parcels keep arriving every week. Every week I go and re-register that we don't need them but they still keep coming. Frustrating when there are people who need them more than we do. Don't suggest we reject them as they arrive about 7.00 and the driver has gone before you can get ot the door, if he bothers to ring

[Newdawn Administrator]

I received my ‘shielding letter’ in the first week but it took some time for the supermarkets to catch up. I was told I had priority at Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsburys but so far, I’ve only been able to get the odd slot with Asda who have been an absolute life saver! It’s pointless giving priority and then have us compete with everyone else. I’ve yet to get a slot at either Tesco or Sainsburys and have had to give up on Morrison’s and Iceland (apart from the latter once offering me a 6am slot!).

It’s very frustrating receiving groceries with vital ingredients missing or essentials. I’m trying in vain to find some baking ingredients to try and occupy my son and have at last found a chocolate brownie kit at B&M which someone sourced for me.

It’s crazy having this constant hassle when you and your family can’t go out at all.

Newdawn

[Hidden]

We have received e-mails from all of the major supermarkets telling us that they consider us vulnerable but the best one for actually getting a slot is Morrisons. You still have to wait in a queue, but at least there are slots available when you get through. Tesco have not been too bad either. Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have been atrocious in my opinion.

[Miggins60]

Agree re Waitrose. Very disappointing. I have been a customer for decades and they have not recognised me as self isolating. I’ll wait and see if they contact me now that I’ve received my letter, but they are losing my trust as a long standing customer.

[UKfulloflife]

Absolutely agree. We are in Waitrose 3+ times a week and spend thousands in there every year, but after this, I'll be taking my custom elsewhere. The only Waitrose person who has been remotely helpful was the manager of our local branch who has expressed genuine regret at how it has all been handled and has offered to drop things off to me if I ring him if I'm running short of essentials. Sainsburys are my saviours and although it means I will need to travel in future - they'll be getting my custom again.