We are aware that many of you who have been advised to shield are concerned about what happens next and have questions about the new advice that it is OK to leave your house. This is the only change to the shielding guidance at present and you are advised to continue to shield.
Being able to leave your house for exercise is something that lots of you have welcomed, as many tell us that they feel trapped and isolated at home. However it is a big leap to be advised one day that you shouldn’t even leave your home to put your bins out to find out that it is ok to go to the park. It is of course up to you whether you go out and your personal circumstances and ease of access to quiet areas will be very different. We would advise choosing quiet times, being careful to keep social distancing and of course to keep washing your hands.
The new guidance came out unexpectedly over a weekend. We have fed back to the Department of Health and Social Care that more notice is needed next time an update is given, along with the evidence on which it is based.
What we are doing
Our healthcare professionals are now putting together some advice for kidney patients and kidney teams, which Kidney Care UK is contributing to. Our commitment to keep updating and providing patient information continues, and if there are more things you think we should cover, please let us know. We meet and regularly communicate with officials and civil servants to raise concerns and needs of kidney patients.
What you told us
Our ‘Worried Sick’ report highlights the need for people to have access to clear and simple advice that is accurate and timely, and this is more important than ever. Over 1,000 of our supporters told us how the pandemic had impacted on their lives and we are incredibly grateful for this. It gives us a clear mandate to call on the government to ensure that the needs and concerns of kidney patients are not forgotten. We will continue to raise your views and concerns with the relevant health and government bodies in each of the nations of the UK in the days, weeks and months to come.