Blanket shielding advice to be replaced

Blanket order to stay at home may be replaced by individual assessments made by patient’s GP

Obese 50-year-olds could be asked to shield as the blanket approach from the first wave of the virus is set to be replaced by more individualised advice. Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier system that will see shielding advice linked to the local threat level. GPS will assess patients. It means that an obese smoker in their 50s, with medical problems, might be advised to stay at home, while someone with medical issues but a lower BMI might not.

OBESE 50-year-olds could be told to shield under local lockdowns, with a “blanket approach” to shielding replaced by more individualised advice, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier local lockdown system next week, which will see shielding advice linked to the local threat level.

During the first wave, around 2.2 million “clinically extremely vulnerable” people in England were asked to shield at home for months. Health officials are drawing up plans that would see such advice linked to the local threat level.

While some clinical criteria – such as particular treatments for cancer – are likely to remain part of centralised guidance, GPS will be expected to make their own assessment of the risks facing their patients. It means that an obese smoker in their 50s, with a history of medical problems, might be advised to stay home, while someone with a lower body mass index, suffering from other health problems, might not be issued with such advice. Officials stressed that no final decisions have been made on restarting the programme.

However, government sources said GPS would be asked to look far more closely at individual circumstances, rather than to issue all those with a particular disease the same advice.

Last night, GPS expressed concern that they had not been party to the discussions, which could see every family doctor in the country expected to carry out a rapid assessment of all their patients. Prof Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPS, said: “It’s vital that as soon as any decisions are made about reintroducing shielding that these are clearly communicated to GPS in the areas that are affected, along with clear guidance about the role they will play in its implementation.

“It’s important that we areas informed as soon as possible, so that we can offer them appropriate advice and support.”

Gemma Peters, chief executive of Blood Cancer UK, said the charity would welcome clear advice, tailored to the risk in each individual area.