We have received numerous calls regarding shielding letters with patients querying why they have received a shielding letter when they do not class themselves as vulnerable.
NHS England has updated the Shielded patient list (SPL); this enables the government to support and protect those who need shielding. If you have received a letter this is because you have been selected based on their criteria under a category which could make you vulnerable to Covid-19. This is not information we are privy to nor to we have control over the selection process.
The updated SPL is based on new data driven risk assessment called the Covid-19 Population Risk Assessment which helps identify high risk individuals. This is used at national level to identify additional groups of patients with multiple risk factors which combined may put them at similar risk to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to severe outcomes. As a precautionary measure, this group has been added to the SPL on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer. This means you are a priority for vaccination and will be contacted in the coming weeks.
At this time if you have any queries regarding the shielding letters you have received do not call the surgery. Contact the number/email on the letter you have received or for more information see gov website click here or for information on the SPL see NHS England website click here
