BHF calls for clearer guidance on shielding and for clinically vulnerable people

Alongside other leading health charities, we are calling for clearer guidance and improved leadership as millions of vulnerable people could be put at risk as the lockdown eases.  

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has meant that many ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’ people are required to ‘shield’. An open letter published last week calls for UK Government to provide clear and consistent advice on ‘shielding’ measures to enable people to protect themselves and access necessary support as the restrictions lift. 

It also calls for clear advice for the wider group of ‘clinically vulnerable’ people who will be at greater risk of Covid-19 as the lockdown is lifted. 

The letter was also signed by other health charities including Macmillan Cancer Support; British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK; MS Society; National Voices; Versus Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis Trust.  

Jacob West, our Executive Director of Healthcare Innovation, said:

“Lockdown has been an incredibly difficult time for people with serious heart and circulatory conditions. Many are now anxious about what the easing of lockdown means for them due to their increased risk of severe Covid-19 infection. As people return to work and their children are allowed to go back to school, people with high-risk heart conditions are concerned about their health and the measures in place to protect them. 

“That’s why we need clearer and consistent guidance from Government on what the lifting of lockdown measures mean for people with heart and circulatory diseases, for those who are shielding and those in other high-risk groups, to ensure they can make informed decisions to protect themselves and access support they deserve. It’s also important that we see a clearer plan for when guidance will be reviewed.

“Advice should be developed alongside those affected, and so we are asking that the Government develops future guidance together with the support of people living with long-term health conditions and better involve the charities who support them.”