I have just been phoned by Occupational Health after having self isolated since 22March as I thought was advised. I am on Methotrexate injection 25mg a week with quite poorly controlled symptoms and pain. Also have Hypertension and on medication for that. No one could give me a straight answer as to whether I should continue to work. GP says ask Rheumy,they say ask GP?? My manager decided to be cautious and as I am a frontline nurse decided to put me on Special Leave. Occupational Health have now phoned me saying I'm fine to work on the frontline as long as I avoid co-vid patients,how we know that is unclear as so many people are asymptomatic, and wear PPE. I want to be at work if it's safe but I don't feel that it is. My 22 yr old daughter is so worried and upset about it. I have phoned my union but waiting for them to get back to me. I don't want to feel forced back to work and be another NHS stastistic. Haas anyone been in a similar situation or have any thoughts or advice.
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Lornau
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Hi Lorna, this is a very stressful time for us all and more so when we don’t know where we stand with work, I hope you get some answers from union, anyone could have Covid-19 at the moment without proper testing how do we know. I’ve just received a phone call to say a PC is being delivered to my home, no warning, no consultation just it’s turning up, the thing is I need help assembling it as my IT knowledge is not great..my employer has run out of laptops apparently 🤷🏻♀️ I more than happy to do my bit I’m still being paid after all..but it’s not always as simple as that and there’s no risk assessment for working at home or my much needed ergonomic equipment. Sorry to whinge, your dilemma is far worse than mine as you’re on the frontline. Hope you get it sorted, maybe ask the GP to sign you off as you should be isolating due to high risk of this awful virus. Xx
How poor that your employer has not even spoken to you about the plan to send a PC to you at home. I am working from home too and am so thankful that I can. However due to having to use a mobile phone and laptop I am really struggling with awful pain in my hands and joints. I haven’t said anything to my employer as feel that I am fortunate to still be able to work from home even without my set up and some of my specialist equipment I have in the office which can’t be set up at home. I am not usually spending my days on the phone and admin work either as often are seeing people and finding that the 7 hours days on the phone and laptop are really increasing my pain. Feel very selfish moaning about it though. x
I’m sorry I don’t think it’s selfish to look out for yourself , we didn’t ask for a global pandemic. I’m more than happy to do my bit and work as I’m still getting paid my salary but that might have to come with some adjustments to my working day without my equipment. I’m currently waiting for surgery and now with all routine operations cancelled for 3 months, goodness knows when it will happen know.. (need knuckles replacing on both hands) I will use my common sense and not risk further damage.
Think you are right there, as the appears to be a lot of uncertainty and chaos right now. So I think we have to be the best judge of our health and situation. Any risk is a risk too much with this virus.
Matt Hancock reckoned the military were involved with organising transport of PPE about 2 weeks ago, that's if you can believe a word he says. Plus I know who I beieve regarding the supply of PPE at hospitals and that's front line health and care workers.
I honestly don't know what they are thinking, but they don't seem to give the general public much if any credit. It's a very difficult time we know that, but if they were more honest I believe they would get more respect, but no, they just continue to dig a deeper hole for themsleves.
Yes being proactive is better than being reactive. I've heard from people who are saying there is not enough PPE in their workplaces and they are frightened. I saw the other night on TV carers in care homes using thick bin bags with holes for arms and head using as a sort of apron/ gown. Worrying times and that's why I've given up on any letters, a phone call or getting support and I am trying to get on with things as best as I can and know this is what many of us are trying to do.
he friend of my daughter who is manager of a home care company, says her carers all have a good supply of PPE. Perhaps that's because her company is in the private sector?
Probably....they presumably order what they want - when they want it, without filling in 20 forms & getting XX authorisations like they probably have to in the NHS.
Hi Lornau. According to the chart I have received from my Rheumy department, you take tablets for your blood pressure and are on Methotrexate so that puts you on High Risk and says that "we advise you to follow the government's SHIELDING recommendations at
gov.uk/coronvirus". I think you should go onto the government's website, have a read and then you can go back to Occupational Health and tell them that you have done the checking and that you are at High Risk and should be shielding. Either that or continue to wait until you hear from your union. Good luck and please let us know how you get on. xx
Thanks for advice. Just tried to contact GP and after being in hold for about 10/15 minutes was told by receptionist to go on NHS inform website as doctors aren't taking any calls about co-vid?? Gone on NHS.inform and am now more confused. She said there is a phone number but there isn't, only 111 for.if you have symptoms. I actually feel like bursting into tears I've worked in NHS for 32 yrs and am due to retire next June. I feel quite unsupported and let down by my employer really. I'm really scared to.go to work. I.don't think I will. I'm actually going to phone GP back as it's not about Co-vid it's about me!! Thanks to all who answered😊
Exactly Lornau, the situation is causing you a great amount of stress as it is many of us. My union apart from a generic email and a weekly update from our leader has been useless with only certain information getting through, trouble is no one knows what they’re doing and employers obviously want everyone in work or working from home. Good luck xxxx
Hi Lornau, I am on 20mg of methotrexate orally. I received the government shielding letter. I queried this with my GP who said methotrexate Is a drug which suppresses the immune system and is listed on the government list, hence , to shield . Stay safe keep strong
Hi Lornau, please don't get upset, I personally think you should be shielding, you've certainly served the Nhs well, now it's time to look after yourself, sending best wishes
Hi Lornau, I take methotrexate, sulfasalazine and also medication for high blood pressure. I've been absent from work from 20 March as my occupational health said I was high risk. The following week I received a shielding letter from my gp. Going by the charts regularly posted here you should be shielding.
I am so sorry to hear that you are being put in this position. I have no useful advice as you are doing everything you can. The current situations people are being put in and dealing with is really angering me at the moment. It is absolute chaos and people are just being unsupported. This needs sorting out as people like yourself are being put in completely unacceptable situations, people have been missed off the shielding and high risk group who desperately need these letters to assist with keeping them safe and access to vital services such as food and medications. It seems utter chaos! Thinking of you and really hoping that your GP/rheumy team and union can get their act together and assist. I am appalled but sadly not surprised that an employer that should know better are putting you in this position. x
😥 I hope your union are able to help you. In the meantime could you forward the chart available on the NRAS website, showing which category you are in ?
Hi Lornau. What a difficult situation you are in and what a shame for your daughter worrying about you. I think you should maybe talk to your GP again and say how anxious you are about it and get him to sign you off work !! Good luck x
Thanks so much for all the replies it's my first time posting and I felt a bit unsure. It's so nice to know that there are people who understand. I'm even more confused after speaking to GP, she says I didn't get shielding letter as I'm High Risk but not extremely high risk? She advises unless I can be isolated in a room on my own and can be assured that I will be doing absolutely no direct patient contact then they advise me to remain at home. How can you work as a nurse and not have direct patient contact,it's ludicrous really. Union didn't get back to me either. Rheumy are doing a telephone consult tomorrow so I might get some sense out of them, who knows! I've made the decision I am not going back anyway,whether it's sick leave or special leave, I am not prepared to put myself at that level of risk.
Goos for you, i really feel for you. I hope they see sense and let you know you do need to be shielding. I'm still waiting for a letter, drs have told me not to contact them and still waiting to hear from the consultant. 😫 good luck. X
I really feel for you my daughter is on methotrexate and stuck in Australia but quite safe in the Northern Territory. If it was her who asked me if she was in your situation and you are retiring next year I would say don’t go back! Your life is much more important! I wish you all the best with your decision.
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. If you look at my earlier post from this week you will see I posted a Flow chart dated 27March advising shielding from Rheumatology department at NPH. Then someone advised there was anew chart posted online which showed I should be low risk. I called the hospital to check and they confirmed that the flowchart dated 27March is correct and I should be shielding (just to confirm I actually spoke with a Rheumy nurse who told me this). Maybe you should share the flowchart I posted this week with the occupational Health. I also advised the Rheumy nurse that I had not received a letter from NHS and she advised there is disconnect between GP surgeries and Hospital Rheumy depts. this unfortunately means we need to advise our GPs that we should be shielding and ensure they update their records. A total mess I know. I hope you get a definitive answer soon but according to the flow chart received from NPH you should be shielding. Stay safe
Hi, I am also a nurse. My manager put me on special leave initially, but last week said that I would need a shielding letter otherwise I would have to return to work, or risk not being paid. I emailed my rheumatology team, explained my concerns about being unable to social distance at work and concerns regarding lowered immunity due to meds and they emailed me a shielding letter which I have forwarded to work. I was expecting a shielding letter from the gov, but lots of people are getting missed out. I feel guilty not being at work, but also relieved. However, I do have concerns once the 12 weeks are over, And what happens next with work.
I know what you mean about feeling guilty! I have a strong work ethic and always have. The occ health nurse was quite flippant at best. She really upset me. It's not as if I'm here having an extra holiday?? My daughter has moved out and I've been home alone since 22March😔
Good luck with you rheumatology telephone appointment, fingers crossed they will see sense and send you a letter, remember to ask for an email copy too so you can send it straight to your manager.
Hi ! Sandra here , I have found this so confusing also, I have asthma and take sybicort and also methotrexate tabs weekly, I work in a large supermarket and everyone was panick shopping and the store was crowded , I was hoping I would receive one of these letters but nothing ! It is so much more concerning if you have underlying heath problems, like you say! anyone of the people could be a carrier ! I hope the union does get back to you soon X take care xxx
Hello I was told by my GP to isolate as methotrexate affects your immune system. I also have high blood pressure and fibromyalgia. I’m sure your union will tell you to stay at home. Take care stay safe x
I am also a health professional and am on methotrexate. My team are all being redeployed to the front line so I emailed my rheumatologist for advice as I did not want that to happen to me. He replied really quickly and was very helpful saying that in my case I am in the moderate group and therefore should be practising extended social distancing ( hard to do when you are caring for patients!) The result of this is that my managers have agreed for me to stay where I am and just do virtual consultations with clients-the email from rheumatologist really helped ! Good luck and hope you gat a solution to this quickly x
sorry, just read the rest of replies...good for you, my hubby took early retirement 2yrs ago, he was a psychiatrist, he’s gone back, he takes methotrexate and has high bp meds so was similar to you and got the same response, he is mainly doing phone work now though so not so worrying.....take care, you will be back to giving your all when all this is over xx
Hiya if it's any help I'm on Mtx 20mg and have well controlled Astma, I got shielding letter from Welsh Medical Officer over a week ago. Maybe it's different in Wales hope this helpsxx
Quick update. Finally got some sense from my immediate line manager. No definitive answer from GP, Rheumy nurse, or Occ Health in the end😔Unbelievably rheumy nurse said things like according to NRS score chart you score 1 for methotrexate and 1 for raised BP which scores you 2 so you should isolate but then went on to say mind you if your BP is well.controlled you might only score between 1 and 2 which is maybe causing the confusion?? How is your BP? I have no idea I replied it's not been checked for a.number of weeks. She was also not prepared to give anything in writing for employer.Ludicrous!! Very Thankful that my manager has the common sense to take the decision for me to remain on Special Leave and she like me is gobsmacked at the confusion. Other people saying they have shielding letters with same situation as me but Rheumy adamant i don't need to shield. Some told not to shield one day then getting a letter the next.I think they are making it up as they go along quite frankly. I am assertive and able to fight my own corner but it really worries me that someone else in my position may feel compelled to stay at work and be put at unnecessary risk!! My union were straight on the case, GMB, they were ready for them!!! Relieved at last but now feel a flare coming on with all this stress. 🙁
Hi so sorry to here this I would think that you are high risk therefore should not be working or going outside? Did you receive a letter from your health professional to say you are high risk if you did you could use this if not maybe contact your specialist for confirmation of your isolation. The virus is everywhere not just working with effected people! I hope you get this sorted out soon ❤️
Hi Lornau, I am an ophthalmic nurse working in a general hospital. I am on Imraldi, hydroxychloroquine and perindopril for hypertension, I also had a steroid injection in my knee in January. I have had 2 spinal fusions and surgery to my shoulder, knee, elbow and hands, so physically not in a good way. According to the Leeds Covid-19 flow chart I should be strictly social distancing but I have not had a letter to state this so like you I am stuck. Most of my dept have been redeployed, occupational health say that I can’t go to any known Covid areas but like you say how do you know, they said if I am put in an area that I am not happy in then to call HR I would be happy to work but I don’t feel safe, my manager says it is out of her hands, Occi health don’t know and my GP says wait to see if I get a letter. I feel really quite lost, I have never felt so vulnerable turning up to work each day. Stay safe. Xx
Gosh that's terrible for you! It sounds like you should defo be shielding! Is it an NHS establishment you work in? If it is then your manager is talking nonsense saying it's out of their hands as they have the authority to grant special leave in order to protect you! So many people are saying they have not got letters when they clearly should have. Are you in a union? Would be good to get their support. I DO NOT think you should be put in this position it's dreadful and I really feel for you. Let us know how you get on and stay safe. 😊x
Hi, thanks so much for your reply. Yes it is an NHS hospital that I work, in my manager hasn’t even mentioned special leave. We have been told that if we choose to self isolate then we won’t get paid!! I am in the RCN but I understand that they have been inundated with questions and we didn’t really find their redeployment support during Covid-19 very supportive to staff with ongoing health issues. Look after yourself and stay safe. Xx
According to government they cannot sack you, if you feeling that you should stay home it could be detrimental to your your life and or your health. And what are they doing this on a Sunday.
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