Thread by @cv_cev

💥Clinically Vulnerable Families 💥

Quite a moment as Dr Catherine Finnis take the stand as volunteer deputy leader of CVF.

1/ FOLLOW THIS THREAD

A brief introduction to CVF

We were founded due to the risks in schools, but the inquiry is focused on the risks in healthcare in this module.

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One of the benefits of the shielding programme:

"was that you had a passport through that shielding letter to enable you to work from home."

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"Being put on the shielded list could then take weeks."

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CVF are concerned that the former UK government didn't act fast enough to protect Clinically Vulnerable people.

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Risks to Clinically Vulnerable frontline worker, including teachers, who were simply told to wash our hands to "Happy Birthday".

The group who were most able to shield informally the most were those who were "older people who were retired".

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It was "disempowering" and "highly problematic" for our group to have to ask other people to get us important medicine from pharmacies.

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On the Clinically Vulnerable, there was no support system in place. People had to ask friends, family and neighbours to support them to access essential life-giving medication.

Often, they were diminished
"Oh you're only Clinically Vulnerable, you are not CEV, or shielded".
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Routes of transmission

CVF has been there "filling that gap" to inform our members about transmission routes, since August 2020, to reduce risk and protect lives.

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#MasksInHealthcare

CVF members who wore good quality (FFP2/ FFP3) masks were told to remove them by staff who may have been poorly informed.

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The removal of masks in healthcare has has a direct impact on the health of Clinically Vulnerable people who have increasingly had to delay or cancel their appointments due to high Covid risks.

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Removing mitigations from healthcare settings has a disproportionate impact on those who carry the greatest risk, although all within healthcare will have higher risks as they are generally a more vulnerable population.

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Yet not all of CVFs members have the ability to delay or cancel appointments due to their serious health conditions.

Or they can delay some things to avoid Covid peaks, but not others.

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Current guidance for immune suppressed people is to:

↔️Ask visitors to keep their distance.
📥Take a lateral flow test
😷Ask them to wear a face covering
😷You may want to wear a face covering yourself

Cathy flags the juxtaposition of this advice with risks in healthcare.
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There is no testing in healthcare.

This is a problem for Clinically Vulnerable people who are "high users of healthcare".

CVF advocates for #MasksInHealthcare.

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CVFs "wishlist"

None of this is happening currently, although patients sometimes ask for staff to mask

*See a mask, wear a mask*

would be much simpler than self-advocacy.

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Wishlist in written form:

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The growth of #MaskAbuse has been hugely problematic for CVF members and those who choose to continue to mask.

There was a time when being coughed on or spat on was considered assault, however, now it is a common experience for CV people.

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CTI "Something went wrong with the messaging... there may be good reason why CV and CEV people are still wearing masks."

Dr CF "Unless you are a part of Clinically Vulnerable Families... it has been minimised in all quarters of life, even in healthcare."

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Pausing shielding left people exposed.
No advice or practical support.

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When shielding was paused in 2020, nobody had been vaccinated. Our risks hadn't changed.

Taking "personal responsibility" has left those with the greatest risk shouldering the greatest burden of responsibility, without the knowledge to reduce risks and stay safe.

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CVF offers support to all Clinically Vulnerable people, including those who were formerly identified as CEV.

"It is really hard as a Clinically Vulnerable person to judge your own risk, the route of transmission, and how to mitigate against it."

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CVF have arranged discounts on essential products like masks and air filters for our members to hopefully reduce their financial burden whilst staying safe.

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To clarify, @lara_wong negotiated not for a small air filtration unit but a discount for our members.

The costs also include changing filters.

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@lara_wong CVF have identified an increase in use of private healthcare, by those who can afford, it due to the lack of protection within the NHS.

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Concerns around blanket use of DNACPRs.

Some people, who otherwise didn't expect it, were called out of the blue to ask about DNACPRs.

"There are examples of relatively young people.. who have been either asked that question or have found it on their discharge letters."

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How to protect vulnerable people in future pandemics...

Identify
Inform
- modes of transmission
- how to reduce transmission (masks)
Passporting to work from home
Empower people

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Deep concern from CVF regarding "discriminatory and inappropriate use of [DNACPR] orders".

Dr CF "CV people... would be very worried about that still being left on people's records"

"Are you worried about excluding CV people from other life-saving treatments?"
Dr CF "Yes"
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Should there have been a staged reduction in shielding?

Transitional support
Psychological support
Supermarket food delivery
Delivery of pharmacy prescriptions

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On the lack of public messaging following the end of protections.

CVF has been left trying to advocate for ourselves; in schools, in workplaces, and healthcare.

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"There are still no obvious measures in Infection Prevention and Control in hospitals, or any part of healthcare."

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Just a final message of support and solidarity from Baroness Hallett as we concluded our evidence for today.

She recognised the rise in #MaskAbuse and the risks posed by children transmitting Infections.

We need #SafeSchools!

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💕 Many thanks to Dr @cathy_finnis for her stellar work representing us all today.

Also, thanks are due to our legal team led by @Kim_LHarrison, our lead barrister @AdamWagner1 and @ShaneSmith_Law.

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CVF will be back on the witness stand tomorrow morning when Lesley Moore shares her family's story.

Please also show her your support!

Finally, do SIGN UP for our legal team meeting on 15th October.

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