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Coronavirus

Has anybody managed to get themselves taken OFF the Shielded List?

(37 Posts)
Franbern Tue 05-May-20 09:34:39

Whereas, for some strange reasons, I seem to hear of lots of people being very indignant that they have not received a letter informing them they are shielded. No idea why they want to be -but there you are.
However, I do know people who have received this letter and are most indignant about that.
As these seemed to be totally linked to a list of 'medical conditions', without anyone having the time to actually check the medical history of the person involved, there are people who have been sent such a letter, who really do not feel they need to be shielded. Obviously, they are taking suitable precautions generally at this time, but want to continue going to their jobs.
Has anyone any knowledge or experience of anyone actually managing to consult with their GP and getting themselves taken off this Shielded List.
One of my family members is most upset and is going to try to do this over the next week or so.

Callistemon Wed 06-May-20 11:22:30

The letter contains Important Advice
The best way to avoid getting coronavirus ismto stay at home for the next 12 weeks.

It is not a Government order.

If a person is not currently receiving treatment and their condition is stable surely they can exercise a degree of common sense, especially someone in an extremely important job which is very much needed in the present circumstances.

Someone in such an important job should be able to exercise common sense or their own discretion and follow necessary safeguarding procedures, which everyone should be following anyway.

Hellsbelles Wed 06-May-20 11:38:03

We don't live local to family ( + 150 miles )
My dh has received a shielding letter due to his various conditions advising not to leave house etc.
My condition was on the list in the vulnerable group and advised to self isolate as much as possible .
We logged my dh on the government website , hoping we'd be helped food wise with the parcel allegedly being sent out. Up to now no parcels , despite trying a few times by registering .
We can get a click and collect from Sainsbury's , however we live rurally and it's 30 miles away so a 60 mile round trip for me by myself which I have done twice.
We have friends who live in a town who's husband is also on the shielding group, they are receiving the parcel and last week also had orders from Morrison's and Asda !

growstuff Wed 06-May-20 14:23:01

That's my understanding too Callistemon. It's advice not an edict. The only real barrier I can see is if the employer doesn't want the responsibility of having to ensure that it provides a safe workplace. Employers are within their rights to stop people from working, if they think that employees would be in any danger and the employer couldn't ensure any adjustments. How is the person travelling to and from work?

Hetty58 Wed 06-May-20 14:36:52

Employers have a duty of care. They wouldn't be happy to have somebody working who's in the shielded group.

MissAdventure Wed 06-May-20 15:24:03

I wonder what issues that would raise regarding the workers right to privacy?

If their health issue doesn't pose a risk to anyone else, then they have a right to work, I would think?

Callistemon Wed 06-May-20 15:25:56

From what Franbern has posted, this person is the decision maker for the firm, has put in place for his or her staff a very strict distancing policy and can travel to and from work in own car.

Surely such a person should be able to use his or her own judgement?
The only problem I can envisage is the possibility of a breakdown or an accident on the way to or from work, which could result in close contact with other people.

growstuff Wed 06-May-20 16:34:43

Employees don't have to give any details about their health, but if they have, the employer has a duty to act on the information. It's usually to the employee's advantage because he/she is covered by the Equality Act.

There's quite a bit on Google about this. If the employer does know about the employee's health status and knows that he/she has been advised to be shielded, there should be a written statement, so that everybody knows where they stand should the employee become infected. Professional HR/legal advice is needed.

Hetty58 Wed 06-May-20 17:25:03

What do I really dislike about it? It's yet another case of 'I'm special - so the advice and/or rules don't apply to me!'

Marydoll Wed 06-May-20 17:39:36

Hellsbelles, it's the local authorities in Scotland who send out the food parcels. Each council has a dedicated phone number you can phone for assistance, if you are sheilding.
I got a call because I hadn't asked for a food box and they wanted to check I was OK.

Is there a similiar system in the other UK countries? Perhaps you could try contacting them.

growstuff Wed 06-May-20 18:24:02

I guess you can stop being sent food parcels, but you can't change the medical advice, which is that the person should be shielded. The person can't change his/her medical condition and the medics aren't going to change their advice that the best course of action is to stay at home all the time.

growstuff Wed 06-May-20 18:27:45

That's how it's supposed to work in England, too, although I'm not sure that it always does.

The idea is that you can get friends, family or local groups to do your shopping and doing errands, etc. The phone call is to check that you do have somebody to help you. If not, the local authorities have a list of volunteers. To be fair to the government, they are trying to make sure that no vulnerable people are left on their own without help.