Confusion - letter reversal. Maz please could you check

[Jlah]

Hi. I received a letter from Wye Valley trust today saying they had made a mistake and I was not on the high risk group so do not have to self-isolate. This is different to conversation with consultant last week who said could go for a walk but not to shops. However am actually glad that not at higher risk although goes against the webinar etc.

Maz please could you ask the specialists about this as it seems the advice is changing again.

Thanks

Jacquie

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Jacquie, it would be best, in the first instance, if you could contact the Wye Valley Trust and ask them to explain why they have made a mistake, and explain about the conversation you had with your consultant last week. Best wishes, Maz

[Kari1961]

Hi Jacquie

I received the same letter from my local health authority (Devon) yesterday, the only difference being that my consultant has always said that I shouldn't be classed as extremely vulnerable. The letter states that I have moderate risk, that I should 'stringently social distance' and that I can go out for exercise and for shopping.

That's fine with me, with the exception of the shopping - I've always used 'home delivery' as I don't drive and the supermarkets here are a good 30 min walk away, which is OK getting there, walking home with a heavy bags of shopping is a 'different kettle of fish'

I'm going to look into using Deliveroo who deliver smaller items, but appear to have the ability to get shopping from smaller shops like Premier and Spar to you in 30 minute time slots. It's obviously going to be more expensive, but needs must. At this moment in time I'd prefer to spend a bit more than have to go to a large packed supermarket every day.

Karina

[Jlah in reply to Kari1961]

Thanks Karina. I agree - I’m not questioning the advice of the hospital - in fact I’m quite impressed they went for caution first and then when had time have clearly looked at each individual. I confess my main concern was losing my delivery slot - how selfish but I don’t really want to go to shops unless absolutely necessary. Nb how is it in lovely Devon. I am from North Devon and before lockdown had house for sale so I could relocate to be with family. I’m on own in Hereford and unable to drive long distance so opening up the housing market yesterday was a quite a lift. Heres hoping for some virtual viewings. Jx

[Kari1961 in reply to Jlah]

Devon is still beautiful I'm in Exeter. It's not at all selfish - I thought exactly the same, the home delivery slots have been a real saviour for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'll get some virtual viewings soon... One of my clients is an estate agent, and they are currently working hard to get the local housing market open and running smoothly. So it looks promising. K.x

[KC63]

Hi My consultant confirmed yesterday I should now be shielding. In current climate guidance is always changing. Mid March his advice was to wfh if can but not vulnerable category. I have PV and on aspirin only. I havn't been out for weeks! ! Best Wishes

[paintbox]

Morning,

I was just about to reply when this text arrived:

"NHS Coronavirus Service: You have been identified as someone who may be at high risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus. You should have received a letter from the NHS to confirm this. The government are now advising you shield at home until 30 June unless told otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Support is available if you need help getting food and basic care. Please ensure you have completed this short form to tell us whether you need it: gov.uk/coronavirus-extremel.... You'll be asked for your NHS number which you can find on any letter the NHS has sent you or on a prescription.

If you cannot sign up on the website, call us on 0800 028 8327.

The NHS is still here for you. You will get the care you need, but it is more likely to be via phone or online.

We will send you more messages with information.

These messages are automated, to stop receiving them, reply STOP."

I'd also had a phonecall from my haematologist yesterday. He said that he doesn't want me to come into the hospital this year's I will phone again in Aug (bloods to be taken at the GPs). He advised I continue to shield as per Gov advice, tho reassured me that just being on aspirin I'm lower risk within this group, which he advised I stick to as a precaution.

I imagine it'll be ever changing tho, depending on the R value!

I hope you can continue to get your food slot without issues! Take care

[Hidden]

My partner has now received 2 letters from Guys Hospital confirming the shielding status. He is on the supermarket priority list and even received 3 Government emergency food deliveries until we could stop them. He has now had text confirmation from Gov.uk that they have now stopped his emergency food deliveries as requested. He also gets regular calls from the County Council to check he is OK. He is Et JAK2 + on hydroxy and aspirin.

[Devilgirl]

I've received the same NHS txt this morning as paintbox has posted above

[Dovme]

It sounds like this whole shielding exercise has been in some cases poorly managed creating anxiety and confusion instead of clarity !

theguardian.com/world/2020/...

[piggie50 in reply to Dovme]

I totally agree Dovme, when most of our GP’s don’t acknowledge MPN’s as a blood cancer and our leading Heamatologists have differing views, it was always going to be a mess. I made up my own mind what I felt happy doing. I go for walks when it’s quiet, have had a friend and members of my family in my garden occasionally, at a distance (they don’t need to walk through the house).But I will not do a supermarket shop yet. I may get a bit braver as the weeks go on, cases in my area of the country are very low.

[Jlah in reply to piggie50]

Agreed. I’m doing similar to you. Walk but no shops and a friend sits in my garden to check I’m ok occasionally. Adding to the confusion I received the nhs text on shielding today. Jx

[Zeta-Chi in reply to Dovme]

Agree!