Shielding community: 'We've been forgotten'
Mum of two calls for more support for clinically vulnerable
A mum of two who has been shielding for over ten months says people with underlying medical conditions need more help than ever.
38-year-old Emmy Kelly has an auto-immune disease and like over 200,000 others in Northern Ireland, was advised by her clinicians to shield until a vaccine becomes available.
Those deemed 'clinically extremely vulnerable' were issued with shielding letters by their GPs during the first surge of the Covid pandemic.
These offered proof and access to supports such as priority delivery slots and medication deliveries.
But shielding advice was paused in Northern Ireland in July.
The Chief Medical Officer Doctor Michael McBride cited mental health concerns but said it will be kept under review.
But Emmy told us not haing the official guidance in place is detrimental:
"Having the legal right... and the supports taken from us to continue shielding and follow our clinicians advice is far, far worse.
"None of the supports that were available are there, simple things like priority delivery slots for online shopping and access to having your medications delivered."
Emmy has been working with support group Shield Us and says she is concerned about the shielding community's mental health:
"When shielding was paused our cases were higher than when we were first put into lockdown.
"And to be told your clinically vulnerable and to be given that protection and told stay home and given all the support that you need to do it.
"To have that taken away when cases are rising and then to see the NHS struggling the way that it is, a lot of people are really struggling with anxiety."
Downtown Cool FM asked the Department of Health.
In a statement a spokesperson said:
"Information at the start of August would indicate that just over 200,000 shielding letters were issued in the first surge of the pandemic.
"Since the first surge of the pandemic, we have learned more about who is most at risk from the virus and the list of people considered Clinically Extremely Vulnerable has grown by the addition of new conditions, including stage 5 chronic kidney disease and adults with Down’s syndrome.
"At the end of November, GP practices were asked to identify all adult Down’s syndrome patients and issue a letter to advise this cohort of patients to take extra precautions.
"Information on the current guidance and advice on the support that is available can be accessed via the NIDirect website
"In addition, the Covid-19 Community Helpline can be contacted for advice by phone, email or text message on:
Telephone: 0808 802 0020
Email: covid19@adviceni.net
Text: ACTION to 81025.
The Helpline is local to Northern Ireland and is managed by AdviceNI.
The AdviceNI website also contains a range of information which may be of help
The Minding Your Head website contains information to help you look after your own mental health and to support others.
In addition, tailored information and self-help guides from local mental health and wellbeing charities are available at the Covid-19 Virtual Wellbeing Hub"