Had to go the the practice nurse today and whilst there asked if she knew what group I was in.
She looked at my notes and was shocked I hadn’t been booked in due to meds. Turns out Because I get medication from HaH it’s not on Dr repeat prescription so they hadn’t noted I was group4 and rheumatology hadn’t flagged me either. She went on to discuss my shielding ...I must of raised my eyebrows as she was like ‘please tell me you’ve been shielding’...hmmm that will be a no as never received any notification💁🏻
So from the conversation this morning I’m now booked in for my vaccine 2nd March🥳🥳
Worth double checking with your surgery x
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Tabitha73
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This happened to me as well GP said I didn’t need to shield. Their records methotrexate only as my benepali comes from HC@H too although I also I have bronchietasis too. Still no red flag. Received a letter too to say I didn’t need to shield from them. Rheumatology sent a letter to me to say to shield early April.
Hi Tabitha, glad you have a vaccine date and yes that’s always best to check your doc has been updated by your rheumy. My doc is aware of my meds even though Methotrexate comes from HaH and Rituximab is given at hospital. My repeat script has both Rtx and Mtx on it as additional items not issued by GP. Says something like .. not issued from this practice then states is comes from HaH and my hospital . My rheumy always writes to my GP after each infusion and each clinic review and lists the current meds even if they haven’t changed so the doc is aware. However things don’t always get scanned to the patient file by the admins, so worth checking and glad you did. Yes, keep safe until it’s safer re shielding. x
Same here. GP insists I'm group 6, rheumatology horrified I'm not down as group 4, still not resolved. I'm chasing but to no avail so far. I suspect they'll be inviting me as a group 6 before I manage to get called as a group 4. Wouldn't be too concerned were it not for my daughter probably going back to school in a matter of weeks.
I get Methotrexate and Benepali from H@H. My Gps and pharmacist say there is no way to record these on their systems. How do they know then that what they are prescribing is compatable ? I have to check it with them. I was given Brufen on repeat prescriptions for 8 months before someone realised I shouldn't have it !
Surely there must be flexibility somewhere to record "notes or additional information" on their system. Who does your blood tests, if GP, "High Risk Drug Monitoring" would be on your patient notes.
Flag this up if you make a complaint. The person that takes blood and prints off the forms to accompany them to the laboratory would need to know why you are having your blood tested, there must be some sort of reference. Often the Health Care Assistant or Practice Nurse whilst at the computer will ask, "are we doing bloods for MTX, etc. etc."
Oh yes, they do. I have complained to GP and pharmacy about their expensive systems that don't flag this up. It is a prescribing issue I think, and the pharmacist should check the RX, but if its not showing up I think they just check routine medication on the list that they prescribe
Thank you for alerting us to this Tabitha. We have been flagging to NHS England, Public Health England and British Society for Rheumatology and other bodies in the devolved nations these issues so I will raise it again that the situation is ongoing. It is important that everyone ensures their GP has the latest information about your disease and treatment, I'm afraid the NHS IT systems don't necessarily talk to each other. Take nothing for granted, so when you change medications or your disease regresses or progresses etc., let your GP know so they can update your patient record. So pleased to hear you'll be getting your first jab soon.
Same thing happened to me. They had me in group 6 due to my asthma but didn’t have the Biologics as supplied by HaH/ through hospital. I queried it a couple of weeks ago and the practice manager reviewed it and put me into group 4. Had the vaccine last Saturday. So glad I queried it as I’m a secondary school teacher and obviously due to go back 8th March ish depending on the announcements.
I had a similar thing with my GP. They phoned my son who is 20 with RA to go for the vaccine. I phoned and asked why I had not been called as have been shielding and they said I was not on their list. When I told her what medication I was taking they said I should be on the list and booked me in for Tuesday next week. Don't know how the system works but its not accurate and I wonder how many more have been missed.
I’ve chased my GP to be told I’m not in any risk category!! I’m on rituximab and hydroxychloroquin. I’m waiting for rheumatologist to call me back as GP said it’s down to hospital not the surgery ...I’m baffled totally 🙄
The below table may help you. The scoring system aligns with this other table I’m linking to that explains who under rheumatology is considered CEV, CV or no higher risk:
Neither hydroxy or sulfa are included as meds that suppress the immune system so are generally disregarded when it comes to establishing patient covid vulnerability. The situation as to whether patients with inflammatory arthritis generally will be included in group 6 for vaccination remains very much up in the air at the moment.
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Sorry - another covid vaccine question
Do I need to shield if I’ve had the first dose of vaccine? 
Difficulty booking booster after 3rd vaccine (recorded incorrectly as booster)
To Vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question!
Vaccinations?
