New Shielding Letter Breakdown

for Kidney Patients

From the 1^st Feb 2021 new letters will have begun being distributed and delivered across Wales to those who are on the Shielding Patient List (SPL) and are considered Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). These letters will have the latest guidance and information, including the confirmation of the decision to extend shielding from 7^th Feb 2021 to 31^st Mar 2021. This is in response to high case numbers in Wales, cases believed to be linked to the new strain of coronavirus.

Written Statement: Letter to those who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable – previously ‘shielding’ (4 February 2021) | GOV.WALES

Vaccinations will continue as planned. It is important that we continue to follow government guidelines.

• Keep contact to a minimum
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizer when washing facilities are unavailable
• Stay 2 Meters or 3 steps away from people you do not live with
• Avoid touching your face and wear a face covering when required
• Clean surfaces regularly and avoid touching surfaces others have touched
• Ensure any enclosed space is well ventilated

Shielding Measures

To keep contact to a minimum there are shielding measures you should follow:

• You should not leave the home to attend work or school. This is particularly the case for those whose work requires them to be in regular or sustained contact with other people, or where individuals share a poorly ventilated workspace for long periods.
• You should stay at home as much as possible. You can go out for exercise, and it must begin at your front door. You can leave the home for essential reasons, including medical appointments and dialysis.
• We know long periods of isolation can be harmful for mental and physical health. You are able to be part of a support bubble, being sure take care when and practice the appropriate guidelines.

Advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable children and young people

• Current knowledge shows that children are at a lower risk of getting severely unwell from the Virus. The classification of children and young adults as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable [CEV] is being reviewed by Doctors and Health Care Professionals.
• If this letter is addressed to a child or young person, and you have not yet heard from your child’s hospital doctor or GP to discuss this, please contact the usual provider of care for your child and confirm if they should still be considered CEV. If you have already discussed this with your child’s doctors and they have confirmed your child is still considered highest risk, your child should follow the advice as set out in this letter.
• Children and young people who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but who are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, should still attend school if and when it is open.

Work

• You are strongly advised to work from home if you can. If you cannot work from home, then you should not attend work for the period specified in this letter or agreed by a Health Care Professional.
• If you cannot work from home, your employer may be able to furlough you under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Please note furlough has been extended until the end of April 2021. You should have a conversation with your employer about whether this is possible.
• If you are self-employed you may be eligible for the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. If you cannot work from home or cannot be furloughed, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC). This letter is evidence for your employer and/or the Department for Work and Pensions that you are advised to shield and may be eligible for SSP, ESA and UC. Other eligibility criteria will apply.
• Other people you live with who are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves can still attend work if they cannot work from home.