Were told to stay at home for 14 weeks - but didn’t need to

NHS LETTER BLUNDER SEES FAMILY SHIELD UNNECESSARILY FOR MONTHS

A FAMILY has been unnecessarily shielding for 14 weeks after a letter was sent by the NHS in error.

Vickie Heywood, from Sale, received a letter on April 2 advising her household to shield due to her son Harlie Heywood Shelton being at risk as the one-year-old has suffered from bronchitis in the past.

Vickie and her three sons, aged one, seven and 13, have not left the house since apart from going in the garden.

The 29-year-old said she initially struggled with getting online shopping, and has had to rely on family and neighbours to help out.

A few weeks into lockdown, Vickie received a text message explaining shielding was being extended and to continue to follow the guidelines.

She was also in contact with her local GP surgery to make sure the advice was correct. However, she was shocked to receive a letter from the NHS this week explaining the shielding information was sent by mistake.

The letter said there had been an error and a number of people were incorrectly told they needed to shield.

It said: “Unfortunately, due to an error in reporting, we have identified a number of people incorrectly who may not have needed to shield. We are very sorry that this has happened.

“We are writing to inform you that on reviewing your child’s medical record we now believe that your child does not meet the medical criteria for shielding and they no longer need to shield.”

Vickie said she has mixed feelings about being told to shield, as at least she got to spend time with her sons and was safe, but is demanding answers over the blunder.

She told the M.E.N: “Yesterday the postman came, I opened the letter, I couldn’t believe it.

“I burst into tears. I have been struggling with lockdown anyway.

“I am on my own with three kids, that topped it off really.

“At the time I was struggling to get any delivery slots, but eventually got put on priority. I have enjoyed spending time with my sons, but it has also been hard.

“My son is the vulnerable one, he had bronchitis a couple of times. I thought that makes sense. It could have been worse, I could have been going out and then caught it.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “People are added and removed from the shielding list regularly based on their GPs clinical judgement, with more than two million patients identified as being clinically extremely vulnerable.

“GPs are the best placed to advise on the needs of their individual patients during this time and if anybody is concerned they should be included on the list, they should discuss with their GP.”