Frequently Asked Questions: Shielding

Frequently Asked Questions: Shielding

How does someone who is shielding register for support?

The NHS has identified individuals who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 and has written to these individuals advising them to self-isolate, notifying them of the support available. GPs and specialists have also identified individuals who are clinically extremely vulnerable and need to shield.

If an individual has received a letter advising them that they are Extremely Vulnerable to Covid-19 and should undergo shielding they can register support needs (for food or basic care) via https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or via the helpline 0800 028 8327. Anyone who is concerned that they are clinically extremely vulnerable, but who has not received a letter advising them to shield, should contact their GP.

The Public Health England guidance on how to shield is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-pr…- vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/

 

If a person who is shielding no longer wants to receive food parcels, what should they do?

If an individual no longer wants or needs the food parcels, they need should reregister via https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or via the helpline on 0800 028 8327.

To indicate that they do not need food parcels, they should answer ‘yes’ to the question 'Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?'

If they have already done this and still received a food parcel, there may have been a delay in the system updating. If they have already filled in the form to de-register then it will be processed and there is no need to complete it again.

People can also de-register by simply refusing the next food parcel that is delivered to their door. The driver records this information on the system and they will be removed from the food parcels distribution list. As data is now shared on food delivery outcomes with councils on a daily basis, the local council can also see that this person no longer requires food support. Cancelling a food box will not affect eligibility for a supermarket priority delivery slot or any slots the person already has in place.

 

What if a person who is shielding no longer wants a food parcel, but wants to stay registered for a priority slot with the supermarket?

If someone de-registers for a food box, it does not affect their priority status for a supermarket delivery slot. However, this does not guarantee an immediate priority slot with the supermarket or a regular delivery slot.

Currently, customers must already be registered with a supermarket to be prioritised in this way, but the supermarkets are working on a process to allocate customers who are not already registered with them.

 

I registered and haven’t received a food parcel/I registered and received a food parcel but then haven’t received another for several weeks – what should I do?

If someone has had a letter from the NHS or their GP/clinician stating they are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 and should undergo shielding, they can register for support via the website at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable or helpline 0800 028 8327.

If they have received this NHS letter and have registered as having no other means of accessing food, they will be eligible for a Government food parcel to be delivered to their home.

Food service providers are aiming to make the first deliveries within 7 days of receiving information but in a few cases we understand this could be slightly longer. We advise that people contact their local authority if they are in urgent need of food assistance.

If someone has already registered for essential food supplies, has waited 7 days but still has not received a parcel then we advise that they:
• Contact their local authority to check if they are on the list of shielding individuals who are expecting deliveries.
• If they are not on the list then we advise they try re-registering on https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable, making sure 'no' is answered to the question: ‘Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?’

 

What should someone do if they have been removed from the Shielded Patient List but do not understand why?

The individual should discuss this with their GP or clinician.