Thousands with asthma and lung conditions ‘at risk if they’ve not had coronavirus shielding letter’
THOUSANDS of Brits with respiratory conditions such as asthma could be at risk of coronavirus if they've not had a shielding letter, campaigners have warned.
More than four weeks ago, the NHS said around 1.5 million vulnerable people would be contacted within days informing them they should not leave their homes for at least 12 weeks.
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But it has since emerged that many people still haven't been contacted, with GPs now being told to identify all cases by the end of the month.
Among those are people with severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and bronchiectasis.
More than 12million people in Britain suffer from a long-term respiratory condition of these an estimated 538,0006 fall into the government’s "extremely vulnerable" shielding criteria.
A recent poll by Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation found that 98 per cent of those with chronic lung conditions who had received an official shielding letter, confirming they were taking the measures seriously.
Letter influence
Dr Alison Cook, head of external affairs at the charity, said: “Letters save lives as they are extremely effective at influencing behaviour, so it is worrying that it is taking so long to reach some of the most vulnerable people with lung conditions.
"It is crucial that everyone who is entitled to a shielding letter, even at this late stage, receives one.
It is crucial that everyone who is entitled to a shielding letter, even at this late stage, receives one
Dr Alison Cook
“This is a marathon, not a sprint and there’s still a long way to go.
"For people to shield as advised, they must have access to the support services the letter allows them to access including food and medicine deliveries, and as evidence to their employers who may otherwise be insisting they travel to work.”
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Dr Cook continued: “We thank the GPs who have been working tirelessly over the last few days to identify individuals who have fallen through the digital data cracks.
"However, the calls we are receiving to our helplines suggest people are still being missed.
"It is therefore vital that these individuals, who meet the criteria but have not received a letter let their GP or hospital consultant know.”
Measures are working
Of those 9,500 surveyed, 90 per cent said that they had not experienced Covid-19 symptoms, indicating that social shielding and social distancing’ measures are so far proving effective in preventing the spread amongst these higher risk groups.
Younger people aged 60 and below, were found to be much more anxious about contracting Covid-19, with 51 per cent rating highly on the anxiety scale, compared to 39 per cent in the over 60s.
Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation and a practising GP, said: “Everyone with a chronic lung condition, including asthma and COPD, has been classified as being ‘high risk’.
"So, everyone in this group should be strict about following hygiene and social distancing advice from the government.
"This group will not get a letter and do not need to shield, but may choose to.”
He added: “Shielding isn’t easy though and according to the latest government advice, it’s important that people only go through it if they’re in the ‘extremely vulnerable’ groups, so the benefit from cutting the risk of Covid-19 is greater than the impact on people’s wellbeing if staying at home for 12 weeks.
“The smaller group of people being classed as ‘extremely vulnerable’ is based on the severity of their condition or due to the medicines that they take.
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MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
"This is the group that needs to go further and needs to be shielding.
"These individuals should have now received a shielding letter but if they haven’t, they need to contact their GP.”
Dr Whittamore added: “It is particularly important at this time to remind all people with long-term respiratory conditions to continue following the practical steps set out to manage their condition and prevent symptom flare-ups."
An NHS spokesperson said: “Anybody who has any concerns about their health - or thinks they should have been contacted as they are in a vulnerable group - should get in touch with their local GP who can help advise them on how best they can protect themselves and get the support they need.”
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