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Category: Our important updates

1st June 2020

It has been announced by the UK Government that people who are shielding in England and Wales are now allowed to go outdoors with a member of their household.

Remember though that people with pulmonary hypertension are in a high risk group so do try to stay at home as much as you can while you're shielding.

From Monday 1st June, those living alone can meet with one person from outside their household, in the outdoors, but the guidance is to stay at least two metres apart.

If you are shielding and live in England, the guidance is you can go outside once a day. If you are shielding and live in Wales, you can go outside as many times as you want to.

The guidance around going to shops or work is unchanged. If you are shielding you should still avoid doing these things. Support for those shielding, such as food and medicine deliveries, will continue. Shielding advice in Northern Ireland and Scotland has not yet changed.

Enjoying a walk with a family member or friend can make a big positive difference to emotional and mental wellbeing for everyone, especially after staying inside for so long. It’s unlikely that going out will be completely risk-free in terms of Covid-19 infection for some weeks to come. But being able to do more exercise, and see friends and family, does also bring huge benefits.

We know that social distancing – keeping two metres apart from people outside your household – reduces our risk of catching coronavirus. Frequent and thorough hand washing is also really important.

Remember to always stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you don't live with.

Changes to shielding guidance in England and Wales

1st June 2020 It has been announced by the UK Government that people who are shielding in England and Wales are now allowed to go outdoors with a member of their household. Remember though that people with pulmonary hypertension are in a high risk group so do try to stay at home as much as […]

1 June 2020

Standing up for those who are shielding

Today, 29th May 2020, we have sent the below letter to Miriam Cates, MP for the constituency in which the PHA UK is based. Dear Miriam Cates, Question on behalf of people with the serious lung disease pulmonary hypertension I am writing to you as Chair of a rare disease charity based in Chapeltown, part […]

29 May 2020

Important notice – inaccurate updates about requirements to shield

Updated 3rd June 2020 We have discovered that some people with pulmonary hypertension have been receiving notices advising them they no longer need to follow government advice to shield. These notices have come via a text message from the National Shielding Service or a letter from a GP practice. The notices state that consequently, food […]

27 May 2020

Care needed by patients on the use of IV cleaning products

A letter from the UK’s specialist PH centres and the PHA UK As a result of the coronoavirus pandemic, there has been a huge rise in global demand for cleaning and hygiene equipment.  Shortages of gowns and masks have been well publicised in the media and everyone in healthcare has a duty to use protective […]

30 April 2020

Important notice – inaccurate letters from GPs

It has come to our attention today, 16th April, that some people with pulmonary hypertension are receiving letters from their GP surgeries advising they do not need to shield. These letters are out of date and should be ignored.  If you have pulmonary hypertension it is VITAL that you shield. We can absolutely confirm that […]

16 April 2020

CTEPH & Coronavirus

9th April 2020 The below update comes from Dr John Cannon, director of the PH service at Royal Papworth Hospital “After the National PH Centres Directors’ submission to NHS England, PH patients have been recognised  in the extremely vulnerable group of patients. A letter will be sent out from each individual PH centre to this […]

9 April 2020