On 16 February, the Government announced that a further 1.7 million people are being asked to shield. This follows the introduction of a new risk model that considers factors other than health. This includes a person's ethnicity, age and weight. It also includes the level of deprivation (by postcode).
This will affect some members who are asked to shield, or who have staff who are asked to shield. If, as a clinician, you are asked to shield, it is advisable that you do not treat patients, but this is your personal health decision. If you decide not to work, there is a range of care and support services set out in the Government guidance to help you stay safe and well. This includes being furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Those who are being asked to shield will receive an information pack from the Government including how to speak to your workplace about shielding.
The TUC has commented on the new shielding advice here.
See also Business support during the COVID-19 pandemic which lists business support resources that members in independent practice may find useful.
If you, or a patient, are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this. You may have been advised to shield in the past.
Patients who are clinically extremely vulnerable
If a patient is clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) they can still be treated. However, CEV patients should not travel on public transport to attend appointments and you may therefore need to arrange a home visit.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable
If, as a clinician, you are CEV, it is advisable that you do not treat patients, but this is your personal health decision.
If you decide not to work, there is a range of care and support services set out in the Government guidance to help you stay safe and well.
Visit Gov.uk to download: Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19