The List of the clinically extremely vulnerabble

I have just received a second updated sheilding letter from NHS Scotland, ten minutes later I got a phone call from my GP surgery, checking that I had received my first letter and was following all the instructions.
Apparently some people have not received letters, who should have.
I was also asked how I was feeling healthwise and the practice nurse wanted to update my details with the contact details of my next of kin! ?
It was actually helpful as she is runs the asthma clinic and was able to offer advice about my cough.

That sounds good Marydoll. At least you know you are on their radar.

Having just had a surprise, hand delivered parcel on my doorstep containing 2 bottles of wine, Easter eggs, the Guardian, and other goodies I feel overwhelmed.
At least I think it was meant for me

My husband has COPD. I had pneumonia in 2011. We both had lifelong pneumonia jabs 8 years ago, we had these in Portugal where lung problems in people are prevelant.

Wonder if the OP will come back?

Does anyone know if the government food box for vulnerable people are still being given out if there is another member of the household NOT on the list? I'm referring to my parents, both in their mid-80s, Dad with underlying health conditions but Mum is fine. I've had a bit of a google but can't find anything out. Dad says he filled in the form online correctly, but I'm now wondering if he ticked the box - I don't need any help! (which would be typical of him!)

This is from the Scottish Government.

Beechwriter, Be patient. I only received my letter from the NHS this morning, identifying me as extremely vulnerable. However, I was on the Government list sent to major supermarkets and have had emails from Sainsburys and Asda confirming this

I went onto the Gov.uk site a couple of weeks ago and completed a form on there which helped.

I had to smile reading these posts about getting emails re delivery slots. My mother has received a letter telling her to shield herself but it wouldn't matter if supermarkets used the Gvt list to contact her - she doesn't have a computer, Internet or mobile phone! We've been doing her shopping for years.

Actually, she has dementia and is currently in hospital waiting for discharge to a nursing home after a fall. It is no longer safe for her to live alone as she would not stop going out several times a day for shopping or walks. Hence the bed blocking!

Helennonotion
Did you get any joy? The letter DH received yesterday was also addressed to his carer, which is me. We have to shield together. There's a phone number as well as the website and your local council should be able to help.
The boxes are free but there is a week's delay before the delivery system can be set up. Presumably emergency supplies are available.

I was offered a box by the government but turned it down. I have been very lucky getting deliveries from Sainsbury. I am shielding but DH takes the dog out for a short walk every day.

Dragonfly we won't take up the offer either because we are lucky to have friends who deliver (almost daily) to our doorstep. They carry a letter of identity.

But it's good to know that support is available.

Just being nosey but what do you get in a free box?

Here’s what’s in the Scottish one -

Thanks Daddima, as I was about to do that, but dozing in the sunny conservatory! Saved me fishing it out.
We are not going to ask for a box, as we have people shopping forus.

Have you registered by using the text message service? I did it as soon as I got the letter, but heard nothing so far?

I heard about the register through the Sainsburys site and clicked on the link and filled in the form from there. It asked if you were able to get food yourself and I clicked Yes. If you click No then you get a food hamper. I don't think you need to click for a free food hamper if you can get a delivery spot as well.They then check your details against a Government list. A week later I received an email to say I was on their list.

If you are on immunosuppressants etc for chronic arthritis there is a very good website called www.versusarthritis.org which has a sort of checklist of conditions and drugs which tells you if you are extremely vulnerable and what to do if you are and other very good advice, so I knew two weeks ago that I would be on the shielded list but the letter only arrived yesterday. There is always a positive and mine is that I have gone from walking at snails pace in great pain two months ago to leaping around like a 40 yr old with no pain and able to use my hands and walk upstairs and sleep all because of a biologic drug so at least I'm able to do all those jobs I have been unable to do for the past 4 years so as you can image I'm keeping busy and happy.

I'm glad this has been raised.

I registered as extremely vulnerable because I have asthma. A few days ago Sainsbury's told me I'm on the Government's list for priority deliveries but none of the other supermarkets I have tried to book orders with seem to know that the Government has recognised this.

I haven't had my letter yet either, but can't understand why, if Sainsbury's have seen my name on the Government's list, none of the other supermarkets have.

What is the date on everyone’s letter? Mine is 27/3 but I’d chosen to go into isolation on 17/3. Do I count my 12 weeks from 17th or 27th? I know it states ‘from the date of this letter’ but if letters were going out on different dates some people will reach 12 week point earlier. If that’s the case can I count from 17th? I’ll still have done 12 weeks.

Sorry if that’s a bit confusing....hope you can see what I mean! ?

I got a second updated letter from Scottish NHS last week, Katek, then GP surgery
surgery phoned to check I had received the first one and check if I needed any support.
My first letter told me to isolate from 29th March, but I had already been advised to isolate by my GP weeks before that.
The phone no to request the food box is on the second letter.

The procedure to obtain support is totally different in Scotland from England.
NHS Scotland will only give your name to supermarkets in Scotland if you text your CHI no. to a dedicated phone no. No facility to speak to someone.
To receive a food box, you phone or email your LA.

Katek, the 12 weeks has to be purely arbitrary, as it will surely depend on the situation at the time.

DH expected to get a letter but didn’t. No good askin

No good asking the GP to add his name as they are “not bothering with all that”

Cabbie, our GP is "bothering with all that" . That's why I got a phone call checking that I had received the sheilding letter. Apparently some patients who should have, hadn't received a letter.

They were totally unaware that NHS Scotland had sent out a second updated letter with more info and contacts on it.

Grammaretto Thank you. I had another word with my parents yesterday and it seems my Dad ticked the box that meant they didn't need a parcel! Apparently they thought they would leave them for the people who really needed them as they weren't that poor. I tried to explain it had nothing to do with money, but it was all about staying safe at home! I am now trying to get one of them to ring the number on the letter to change the option if possible. It is proving difficult! It's all a bit of a nightmare, isn't it?

KathrynP Sun 12-Apr-20 13:27:55

Thank you very much for posting the versusarthritis link.
I was able to check my meds which mean that I should have automatically been on the list.

But I still haven't had the letter which means that my surgery have overlooked me. These are the people who look at me as if I'm a loon when I've reported that I just have to step outside and I catch a cold! Surely they should know that their drugs are depressing my immune system!

Thanks to my friends, I've managed to get groceries intermittently. The food box doesn't seem to cater for special/free-from diets.

Unless there's anything else that special list status confers, I don't think I'll bother pursuing it. I'm so very tired of fighting for every scrap of support from these people. (5 weeks for a GP appt..??!)

I wonder how many more people have been left off the list...

* Marydoll* I sent the text, and got a text back to say if I’d shopped online before, then that supermarket would be in touch, otherwise one of the major ones would be, so I’m waiting for Sainsbury’s. I have already booked a delivery for tomorrow.
And, yes, things are different in Scotland. I’ve already had calls both from GP and hospital, as well as local council to see if I need anything.