ET and Spitting feathers, as my mother would say.

[eastwood1932]

It took a lot of work to get my GP to provide the shielding letter, in the end I had to get my hospital consultant to contact him, but eventually it arrived. Today though I have a letter from HM Government which says - We understand that your GP has reviewed your medical record and has advised that you are not considered to be at the highest risk of severe illness from Coronavirus. This letter is to confirm, in line with this, that you do not need to follow the government guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

My question is why, what has changed, I still have ET, am still 60, still have diabetes. Have other people had this or is it just my GP - who has never been very supportive even before Covid19

[Vtr1000]

Hi eastwood1932, I have exactly the same as you on all fronts just younger. All the way through I have been told I’m at no greater risk by the gp and consultant, so no letter. I’ve been working all the way through and just told to practice distancing and washing hands,etc like everybody else.

[eastwood1932 in reply to Vtr1000]

Thanks Vtr1000

I did actually get put on the shielding register but this letter seems to take me off it, I just can’t work out why, very confused

[Vtr1000 in reply to eastwood1932]

Hi eastwood1932, when I questioned the reason for not being in the shielding group I was told my neutrophils were good so no greater risk. Just vulnerable with the diabetes. Whilst reading posts on here it appeared that depending on the NHS trust you live under determined the shielding letter.

[hunter5582]

Based on what you describe - fire the GP. The fact that he has never been very supportive is enough reason without the whole shielding letter situation. The doc works for you, not the other way around. When the doc's performance is not up to acceptable standards - replace the doc. That is your right and your responsibility. Tolerating deficient care just allows it to continue.

[eastwood1932 in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks for the reply, I have thought of it but to be honest I rarely see the docs generally, see the nursing staff more often and they are really good. The other docs in the practice are ok but this GP is the senior partner and handles all the shielding letters. Before I write to him to find out why he has done this I was just trying to find out if it has just happened to me or is it happening to others. However your point it good, it is up to us to demand the best possible service from our doctors.

[hunter5582 in reply to eastwood1932]

By all means inquire. Perhaps it was just on oversight. If the answer is not satisfactory, I would file a formal complaint. Docs need to be held accountable just like everyone else.

[Dovme in reply to eastwood1932]

My previous GP was extremely experienced on paper an internist but had little empathy and it was rush and out. I switched to a less experienced GP and he spotted a pattern of my high platelets almost immediately by reviewing my blood counts. He is caring and insightful and willing to check things out.He searched for a good haematologist for me and is always available even during the pandemic for personal appointments. l wouldn’t change him -

Look for a new GP if your unhappy don’t tolerate bad practice check on line reviews as they can be very informative

[Ebot]

Hi

The question of MPNs and shielding has been a hot topic on the various recent MPN VOICE hosted seminars.

The advice seems to have been modified as understanding of coronavirus has grown. The most recent advice appears to be that younger people with ET (and MPNs in general) who are not on any medication (apart from aspirin) and who do not have any other Covid19 compromising health conditions are at no greater risk of contracting / getting seriously ill from coronavirus than the next person. There also seems to be a view that the only MPN drug that might leave you compromised is Ruxolitinib.

Aside from that there is an increasing lobby that says not all ‘older’ people are equal. That you can’t blanket treat everyone over 60. I can’t comment on the implications for people with diabetes or how the advice might vary according to the severity of the condition.

Clearly you have little confidence in your GP. And regardless of this particular situation it’s always important to have faith in your health professionals. Perhaps you could change?

[Bromley]

Hi, I received a shielding letter at the beginning of the lock down. I have ET and am j positive, 75 but regard myself as healthy as my platelets are under control. last week I received a letter from my NHS Trust telling me that I should not have received one and they are sorry for any stress caused. I was not stressed and was delighted that I was able to be on the priority list with supermarkets. I think the whole letter thing was a mess up. A friend received one who is A1 but 72! Live life to the full and enjoy. Common sense is needed at the moment as we are all different.