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Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
@cv_cev
Oct 8, 2024 • 34 tweets • 11 min read • Read on X
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💥Clinically Vulnerable Families 💥

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

1/ FOLLOW THIS THREAD Dr Catherine Finnis swears in
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.

2/
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."

3/
"Being put on the shielded list could then take weeks."

4/
CVF are concerned that the former UK government didn't act fast enough to protect Clinically Vulnerable people.

5/
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".

6/
It was "disempowering" and "highly problematic" for our group to have to ask other people to get us important medicine from pharmacies.

7/
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".
8/
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.

9/
#MasksInHealthcare

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

10/
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.

11/
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.

12/
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.

13/ (Q47) Quote from CVF Member "I feel healthcare is no longer safe, now that masking has been removed, I find every visit stressful. I spend a week before and after feeling very anxious and worried. I can't cancel appointments, I need my treatments, I still need facial surgery for my skin cancer, but I have delayed having a minor surgery to have my port removed. It seemed safer in 2020 because everyone as masked, there were more virtual appointments available, and the hospitals were much quieter." Juliet, aged 59
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.
14/
There is no testing in healthcare.

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

CVF advocates for #MasksInHealthcare.

15/
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.

16/
Wishlist in written form:

17/ 145. Interim measures, as reasonable adjustments for Clinically Vulnerable People: a) Allow people to wear their own FFP3/FFP2. b) Enable people at higher risk a way to easily request staff to wear masks (before their appointment). c) Allow higher risk patients to wait in a different setting, e.g., in the car or in another room. d) Monitor CO2 as a proxy for rebreathed air and respiratory virus risk in all healthcare settings. Make CO2 readings readily available to patients and their families. e) Improve the waiting rooms-consider mechanical or natural ventilation and where not possibl...
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.

18/
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."

19/
Pausing shielding left people exposed.
No advice or practical support.

20/
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.

21/
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."

22/
CVF have arranged discounts on essential products like masks and air filters for our members to hopefully reduce their financial burden whilst staying safe.

23/
To clarify, @lara_wong negotiated not for a small air filtration unit but a discount for our members.

The costs also include changing filters.

24/
@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.

25/
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."

26/
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

26/
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"
27/
Should there have been a staged reduction in shielding?

Transitional support
Psychological support
Supermarket food delivery
Delivery of pharmacy prescriptions

28/
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.

29/
"There are still no obvious measures in Infection Prevention and Control in hospitals, or any part of healthcare."

30/
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!

31/
💕 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.

32/
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.

33/ 15 OCT Legal team meeting Clinically Vulnerable Families members are invited to our Covid-19 Inquiry update at 6pm on 15th October. SIGN UP NOW! Slater Gordon Lawyers Doughty Street Chambers

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More from @cv_cev

Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Jan 23
⚠️⚠️⚠️
Don't scroll past without 💕 + ♻️... 🙏
👇👇👇

- Can you help us to help you?

If you value our work at the C○vid Inquiry and beyond, your continued support is vital.

1/ Clean Air & Safer Access United Kingdom St Thomas' Hospital LEARN to LIVE with COVID #CLEANAIR HIGHLIGHTED: Another way to help CVF Arrow to start your own crowdfunder. Clinically Vulnerable Families CIC About the project owner Aim We urgently need your help to support families by improv providing vital support, and advocating for freedoms. access, £380 Target: £15,000 2% 4 supporters 42 days left Donate Share Help them get starte Your support makes a difference Become a fundraiser for Clean Air & Safer Access Start fundraising for this cause →
It is hard to explain how much effort has gone in over the past few years to raise understanding and awareness of issues amplified the emerge of C○vid.

2/ #ProtectVulnerableProtesters CVF logo Image of a masked protester
We have participated in NICE as stakeholders and the inquiry as Core Participants (as the only group representing Clinically Vulnerable people).

📉📊 We have collected evidence as data and thousands of 💬 impact statements from people.

3/ Clinically Vulnerable Families represent you as a Stakeholder in the NICE appraisals of Evusheld & Antivirals We can: NICE Comment Give Evidence Consult on Draft Guidance
Clinically Vulnerable Families have been designated as Core Participants in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry We can: Access Evidence Make opening & closing statements Ask the witnesses questions
Read 8 tweets
Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Jan 21
🚨'Can You Keep a Secret?'. The BBC response is below in full.

In short, it essentially says:
“It’s farcical, sorry we offended you, we’ve noted your complaint.”

BUT if you (like us) aren't unhappy with this response, here is our next move... 🧵

1/ Thank you for contacting us regarding episode one of 'Can You Keep a Secret?' 'Can You Keep a Secret?' is an adult, farcical and offbeat comedy that follows a couple, William and Debbie, who commit insurance fraud after William takes too much of his medication, is left unconscious, and is mistakenly declared dead. There was never any intention to make light of infection control or to trivialise the real challenges faced by those affected by Covid-19, including those who are clinically vulnerable. In the scene in question, their son Harry has just learned that his father is still alive, an...
Their response dodges the point.
Because the problem really wasn’t that “I didn’t get the joke”.

The problem is who the joke is aimed at and what it encourages most people to laugh at.

2/ Image
If the punchline is “PPE / precautions = anxious / ridiculous” then people who still need precautions (Clinically Vulnerable people) are the collateral damage.

So it is not about “offence” but creating stigma.

3/ Image
Read 10 tweets
Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Jan 8
Hi @bbccomedy.

We need to talk about the new @Dawn_French “comedy” series that implies that infection control is a joke.

This is a serious issue, particularly for Clinically Vulnerable people who remain at increased risk, and we are not laughing.
1/
In the first episode, a GP appears in a dramatic “protective outfit” and face shield, and we’re told it’s because “since Covid” they’ve developed “very, very, very bad health anxiety.”

2/ Image of doctor in white coveralls, gloves and a face shield pulling a face and grabbing the sides of the face shield whilst failing to examine a patient effectively.
Then the doctor refuses to get close to the patient, barely touches a wrist, and incorrectly declares them dead.

It invites audiences to mock precautions (during the current flu wave) and suggests that doctors who take measures are less competent.

3/ The doctor briefly grabs the patient's wrist...
Before rapidly pulling their hand away and dropping their arm. Failing to take a pulse, but then declaring the patient dead.
Read 11 tweets
Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Dec 8, 2025
🥳 This is a HUGE win for CVF!

- Safe access to public buildings is a right!

As a consequence of our advocacy, national voting guidance has been updated to:
✅ Improve ventilation
✅ Add air filters
✅ “See a mask, wear a mask”

* VERY IMPORTANT THREAD *
PLEASE SHARE!
1/ Support for clinically vulnerable electors - alongside increasing ventilation of the room either through opening windows or doors or using HEPA filters where windows or doors cannot be kept open, you can ensure face masks are provided for polling station staff to use (using see a mask, wear a mask as a basis) and promote the use of social distancing when interacting with clinically vulnerable voters. Your staff training should cover how you can offer to conduct photographic ID checks for mask wearers, including whether checks could be conducted outside for these voters if photographic ID is...
6 years since Covid emerged, we are finally making important changes... thanks to your help!

The new guidance not only recognises our needs - due to heightened health risks - but also the risks posed by mask removal.

2/ polling station staff not having awareness of health risks when asking a clinically vulnerable voter to remove a face mask in order to check photographic ID The Electoral Commission
Why is this so important?

- It is the first national guidance to address our issues directly.... and it sets an important precedent that we plan to build on!

3/ Read more:
clinicallyvulnerable.org/post/how-clini…
Read 7 tweets
Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Dec 3, 2025
A letter just landed on Baroness Hallett’s desk from CATA (Covid Airborne Transmission Alliance).

If you are a patient, an NHS worker, or Clinically Vulnerable... or you want to see safety measures updated - you need to see this!

1/
The Covid Inquiry is there to help us to learn lessons and change how we plan for pandemics.

But, NHS England quietly published a strategy (July '24) that says:

it will not be possible to halt the spread of a new pandemic virus, and it would be a waste... to attempt to do so
2/ See Appendix 5 https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/framework-for-managing-the-response-to-pandemic-diseases/#appendix-5-planning-assumptions
That clashes with Hallett’s recommendation:

"risk assessment that moves away... reasonable worst-case scenarios towards... a wider range of scenarios"

But their plan assumes mass infection is inevitable and acceptable.

For some, it isn’t survivable!
3/
Read 11 tweets
Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Profile picture
Nov 8, 2025
🧵 This autumn the UKHSA is rightly worried, as 'flu is a real risk...

TLDR:
Clinically Vulnerable people ALL need 'flu vaccines + antivirals this year (if symptomatic or exposed) + confused infection control guidance.

If you are Clinically Vulnerable, please read on...

1/ Graph showing the early rise of flu in the UK.
This year's strains aren't looking good:

The infections have started earlier.
A(H3N2) strains are dominant - and linked to worse outcomes.
A shifted strain (slightly different to vaccines) is also doing the rounds.

2/ Summary: Influenza is now circulating in the community with earlier than usual onset of activity in the 2025 to 2026 season, and with an A(H3N2) drifted strain (K, also known as J.2.4.1) predominating A(H3N2) predominance is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly, than when A(H1N1) predominates All eligible groups should be encouraged to get vaccinated with the 2025 to 2026 seasonal influenza vaccine as soon as possible Prompt antiviral post exposure prophylaxis and treatment for seasonal influenza should be offered to eligible groups Antivirals gui...
If you have been invited for a vaccine, or live with a Clinically Vulnerable person (but don't qualify) please consider getting a vaccine - they can be as cheap as £9.95.

Everyone benefits from 'flu vaccines and children (up to 16) are offered them for free in school.

3/ Image of a banner outside a shop. A pharmacist is on the picture. She is has black straight hair, brown eyes, a big smile and is wearing a cream suit jacket with a staff badge. Superdrug *REMINDER!!! IT'S FLU VACCINATION SEASON Flu Jab Service provided by our healthcare professionals Noyne Pharmacist MEMBER PRICE £9.95 NORMAL PRICE £19.95 MEMBERS SAVE MORE Service available here Help protect yourself against several strains of the flu this season with one simple visit in-store. وو
Read 10 tweets

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