UPDATE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE – new shielding measures under the new national restrictions in England

[Mazcd]

Starting on Thursday 5th November 2020

The government has issued new information and guidance for everyone in England who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. If you are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP/hospital healthcare team telling you this. You may have been advised to shield in the past, to help protect you from Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government will write to people with this guidance.

These new shielding measures will apply nationally for 4 weeks up to 2nd December, at the end of the period the government will look to return to a regional approach and will issue further guidance at the time.

You are advised to read the full guidance here

gov.uk/government/publicati...

which also has details about the support available to you with regards to shopping, obtaining prescriptions, employment etc, and how to register for support.

We also advise that you refer to the guidance we issued for people with MPNs which can be found here mpnvoice.org.uk/coronavirus... there are no changes at present to this advice.

Advice for people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

The advice is different in each of these countries. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you are advised to check and follow the advice issued which can be found on the following government websites:

The Scottish Government gov.scot/

Welsh Government gov.wales/coronavirus

Northern Ireland – NI Direct Government Services nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/c...

[Shelly1960]

Thank you so much stay safe and well

[poly2]

Thanks maz. Just received the official email to inform me to stay at home and not go to work.

[Avamia94]

I've received a official email. I informed my work because I work in healthcare they said due to having a face mask on im fine. Is this right?

[lizk1993 in reply to Avamia94]

Hi there - it states quite clearly in government update that Maz posted a link to that you should not go to work. Have a quick look at them yourself, print a copy if need be to show to your work.

Take care. Liz

[Dazakella2010 in reply to Avamia94]

No this is not right.... you need to print the email and hand a copy to your employer.... they have to support you and can not refuse!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Avamia94]

Hi Avamia94, you need to discuss this further with Occupational Health and explain that you have been advised to shield via the email you have received. Best wishes, Maz

[Avamia94 in reply to Mazcd]

I talked to the specialist nurse she said to follow government advice

[cheeks1 in reply to Avamia94]

I work in healthcare to and they have stated as it clearly says I should not go to working they have signed me off as shielding. I will say they did not believe me until I sent them the official government letter. I hope this helps.

[Avamia94 in reply to cheeks1]

My work are saying it says advice and it's not law the only information they picked out and we have mask and will not do anything till Monday but I bet that because I'm on shift for weekend

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice in reply to Avamia94]

You need to speak to Occupational Health about this and your manager or head of department. Maz

[Avamia94 in reply to Mazcd]

The head of ops and management are telling me that its advice and not law. That's why I'm struggling, do I listen to the government and specialist nurse or peer pressure to work

[cheeks1 in reply to Avamia94]

I would speak to union as well as occupational health it may not be law, however HR have said it anything happens and I become unwell they will be liable for not following advice x

[Avamia94 in reply to cheeks1]

I've talked to HR, area manager, team leader, head of ops also my mp and unison. HR saying yes I can but area manager and team leader saying they cannot do anything till Monday even though they had all day yesterday and today. 100% think its because I'm in all weekend and no one is at work or have the staff to cover I've never been so disappointed in a health care company that dont care about their staff

[cheeks1 in reply to Avamia94]

That is so wrong and I think you should raise a grievance. I agree that we are not treated well in healthcare as staff members x

[azaelea]

Thanks Maz. I too have just received the new Government eMail. Take care all! Fran