Letter from GP

[bunnycaramel]

I had a letter from rheumatology to say I need to have no face to face contact for 12 weeks from date of letter early April. This week I received a letter from GP that I don’t need to shield so was quite confused by this and was going to call GP but decided to call NRAS first who reassured me saying that there has been a lot of confusion around who should shield. I didn’t receive a txt from the government but other younger people who I felt didn’t fit the criteria to shield.

I am taking methotrexate and benepali and have mild bronchietasis I am very prone to picking up colds which lead to a cough and have 4 between Christmas and February where the cough continued for over 6 weeks.

I have access to my medical records and noticed they are not up to date and as GP doesn’t prescribe the benepali so not on my repeat medication.

NRAS advised me that I wouldn’t be in the vulnerable but would be high risk and follow rheumatology advice a see GP once lockdown is lifted and things are back to normal.

They also said a lot of people received txts that shouldn’t.

I understand that GPS had a big task to gothrough 1000s of records and my GP practice was taken over by a larger practice last year.

[Lolabridge]

Yes there seems to have been some confusion.

I too have been concerned that my GP records did not appear to be up to date. I noticed that on Patient Access it showed I was on Benepali which was stopped by my consultant 15 months ago. Several times I asked the surgery staff to update my record but They said they couldn’t. In the end I had to insist that the GP herself put the correct RA drug I’m on, Truxima, and have been for nearly a year, on my record. FGS what if in an emergency a medic or paramedic did not know, for example, that I’m on immune suppressing medication?

[oldtimer]

I worry too that what is written on my repeat prescription print out is not correct. I get the correct amount of medication for the month, but the instructions say things like once a day when it should be twice, etc. I have several times commented on this, especially when I have a review, but no-one gets around to changing it, saying it doesn't matter...

[emma88]

I dont think the majority of doctors know what we are actually classed as, ive looked at all the charts and i fit into all of them on different ones. I also had my routine bloods the first week of lockdown and my nurse who takes them at the GP said she would check for me she came back saying they had flagged me as low risk and had my routine bloods again 4 weeks later so was around a week ago she had a look again on my notes on her screen and said i had been put at high risk so at some point within 4 weeks ive been changed but had no contact to tell me that if i hadnt of asked i would have assumed i was low risk im not sure if you should receive info to say you are high risk im not sure how it works, so im still non the wiser of what i actually am i havnt been silly ive kept my distance and and stayed home unless i need to go out it would just be nice to know if i need to take extra measures for when work re opens. I think we are all left a bit confused. I may try ringing my hospital monday i dont think i trust calling my GP now i know they have changed it

[NicolaP]

I received the shielding letter from my GP surgery the other week even though Humira and SSZ with no other co-morbidities does not put me in that category. In seems that as I had to apply via the government website to get supermarket delivery access back, the NHS centrally appear to be marking your medical records with the shielding code. There doesn't appear to be a separate one for being at risk but not extremely vulnerable and needing delivery help. GP was reluctant to remove it because I'd likely lose the deliveries again. I'm just a little concerned with my record marked as shielding because of the fact I was due TKR surgery on 1 April which obviously got cancelled and when they start up again I hope the code will not stop that from happening. I've been assured it won't but still somewhat worried. If I have to wait till next year for surgery I don't think I'll actually be able to walk by then as both knees are really bad.

[Hidden]

Similar thing happened to me. Rheumy and gp smdidnt agree about me shielding. Then gp said I should shield and rheumy said I don't need to until I pointed out my risk factors and everyone agreed I should definately be shielding. Luckily I had been shielding since 16th March. Very unorganised isn't it

[Sarahg62]

My version is interesting. Went to the chemist this week to pick up my methotrexate, was told there that they had a letter from my GP surgery saying I should be shielding as I was on these drugs + HumIra. First I’d heard of it. Rang my GP to investigate further. They told me the shielding letter was nothing to do with them, the letter comes from the government 🤷‍♀️. Great system !! I have now registered, but seems pointless now as 6 weeks in. To be fair, have not been going out much, but what is the point of it all, if they can’t communicate properly. Rant over !!

[bunnycaramel in reply to Sarahg62]

GP wouldn’t put me on the register said I didn’t need to shield so can go and shop

[Fra22-57]

If you are on drug that suppresses your immune system you should be in the shielding group.my sister only has your lung condition and she is.

The hospital rheumatologist prescribed my Abatacept biologic so it is confusing with medical records but the gp practice should have record of all our records.I am in shielding group so I do stay in n get groceries and meds delivered. I also have District nurse come to take my bloods.

[Aliceeliza]

GP letter to say 'shield' for 12 weeks received 25April, Rheumatology letter arrived 1st May to say self isolate for 3 weeks or whatever new advice the govt. gives this week when I can decide whether to self isolate or strict social distancing!! Also I have to decide what level I am dependent on a self stratification table and let them know!!!

[Bjshaw92]

I asked my nurse from healthcare at home about this yesterday. She told me in no uncertain terms if you are on biologics you should shield.

It’s because you’re going to find it harder to fight it. Much like the more normal conditions you’re meant to avoid getting.