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Coronavirus: GPs not told when patients removed from 'shielding lists'
May 30, 2020
Some extremely vulnerable people have been removed from shielding lists via text message, without the knowledge of their GP.
This has caused confusion, with charities demanding clearer guidance for this group as lockdown eases.
GPs say they should be notified when their patients are added or removed from the lists.
Shielding has now been extended until the end of June and is under constant review, the government says.
Around 2.2 million people in the UK are staying at home to protect themselves from the virus because they were told they were at high risk of being seriously ill with Covid-19.
But 40 healthcare charities say the lack of a clear plan for their future is causing anxiety and potentially putting their health at risk.
'Doesn't make sense'
Samantha Bruce, 35, from Rotherham, has severe asthma and was told to shield on 25 March.
Out of the blue on Friday, she received a text message telling her she no longer needed to shield, and her food deliveries would be stopped.
Her first reaction was that it could be a scam, so she called her GP - but he "didn't have a clue" why she'd been sent the message.
Further investigation by her GP revealed that Samantha no longer ticked the required boxes to shield, based on her medication.
Rather than feeling reassured, she was left confused and anxious.
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