Sharon Brennan
@SharonBrennan
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Director of Policy & External Affairs @NVTweeting. Prev: @asthmalunguk & @alzheimerssoc, award winning journalist @hsjnews
South London
Joined March 2009
So someone I know with a double lung transplant died today from Covid. She’d been forced back into work once furlough had ended. But it’s all ok because @sajidjavid told CEV people in October that the official shielding programme was over #cev #wecount #covid.
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With only 1/2 country jabbed & v.little protection for me from jab due to immuno suppression -freedom day for everyone else will take my freedoms away from me. Been v.sad all day at thought I won’t be safe to go on train/in shops. Why so bad to keep masks until all double jabbed?.
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#GP just told me: "On video consultations we have gone from virtually nothing to wholesale, its a game changer. We have gone further in 2 weeks than encouraging & cajoling would have got us in ten years". Shows #coronavirus is rapidly transforming #primarycare No going back IMO.
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Almost in tears at the pharmacy when told Creon is out of stock until end of the year and no alternatives available- suggested I buy it abroad but it’s expensive - or speak to dietician about my diet - I can’t eat without Creon so not sure what diet they can suggest!.
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I’ve just turned 40 & been shielding for 302 days, didn’t think I’d be jealous of other pple getting vaccines but I am. Gov letter said shielding will last until Feb 21 at least but given appalling Covid numbers I know it’ll be longer. I draw to cope and here’s my latest #noteasy
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Face masks should be compulsory for essential services: petrol stations, post offices, banks, food shops, pharmacists, police stations. Even better if big retailers led the way on a 'facemask hour' where people more vulnerable to #covid could shop safely #shielding #facemasks.
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A call at 9.30am & jabbed by 11. No idea how I got done so quickly given I’m tier 4 (CEV) but last night, after 10mths of shielding, I was struggling with lockdown more than I’ve ever so huge relief (it’s Pfizer -next dose in 12wks not 3 -medics pls reassure me that’s fine!)
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The truth is Twitter I don’t want to do anymore art, write anything new, go for another walk, admire the birdlife, do any more exercise -I want to go to a bar& drink the cocktail menu &then jig about outside because my clothes are not warm enough for the weather& my Uber is late.
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FYI if anyone wants a less dangerous way of testing their eyesight before driving you just have to be able to read a car licence plate from 20 metres away #cummings #BarnardCastle #eyesight
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Dear @sainsburys @Tesco @asda @Morrisons @waitrose even though the government is no longer asking, it would be great if you’d reintroduce priority slots for shielding people so food shopping can be one area where we still have society’s support when masks are no longer mandatory
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Not surprised but sad- only 17% ppl post transplant developed antibodies after 1st Pfizer/Modena jab -no AZ results. drops to 8.75% for ppl on drug MMF like me. Need mass vaccine uptake to help us &patient centred debate on hospital staff who decline jab
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On train into London -20 per cent already not wearing masks even though still mandatory - feel for hospitals that are already under immense pressure #deltavariant #CovidIsNotOver.
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I am leaving HSJ after 5 fabulous years! No better place to do journalism so I am moving into health policy for people with long term health conditions by taking up a role as policy manager @alzheimerssoc. Here's my last Integrator (sniff, sniff). Keep in touch!.
Farewell @HSJnews piece from @SharonBrennan on what happens next with ICSs Insightful as ever. What a great colleague she has been.
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Got covid -started IV Remdesivir today -2 more doses over 2 days. amazingly smooth, quick process by @StGeorgesTrust -nice to be in a block away from main hospital. 1st time having #covid (shielded for 2 yrs) but feeling positive &well looked after by @RBandH too #transplant.
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When the BBC illustrates an antibiotic article with pictures of Creon and only people who are @CFAware would recognise the error
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My friend has just matched with a guy on Tinder because he recognised HIS cat in HER profile picture, as the cat has basically moved in with her. As its 2020 of course what will happen is that they will now marry, have the cat as their best man and it can live with them both 😍.
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Delighted to be starting at @asthmalunguk today as a senior policy manager - I feel very privileged to use my lived experience to improve the lung health care offered to others. #healthpolicy #asthma #COPD #LUNGHEALTH.
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Shielding guidance now out - basically says you’re on your own and use own judgement. Shielding not being reintroduced and down to employers to make workplace safe. Expect GPs to be inundated with calls from concerned CEV people tomorrow
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Shielding has ended for good according to a letter that @sajidjavid sent me a few weeks ago. Even though vaccines don’t work in severely immune suppressed and now 100k a day?? No wonder I feel ignored and let down - my life matters #shielding #cev.
.@sajidjavid says Covid cases could reach 100k a day adding that hospitalisations are nearing 1k a day. The NHS is acting "with distinction" he says. The pandemic is not over, he adds but confirms no Plan B activation at this stage. #COVID19.
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Ten years in and I have reached peak marriage - as a health policy manager I’ve been invited to a health policy event to listen to my health policy husband present. After 20 years of marriage I expect us to be presenting on the same panel at a health policy event.
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I have a face-to-face health related appointment on Friday that I've been asking for years if it cannot be done on Skype. Covid hits and they text me to offer a Skype consultation. the genie is out of the bottle, patients won't willingly go back to the 'old days' #outpatients.
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BREAKING: shielding programme for high risk patients to be dropped at end of July. Fears of unemployment, huge anxiety and mass confusion on what people are meant to be do could result if government does not implement the change well.
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A man gets on my busy northern line train home. I recognise him but can’t place him- then see he briefly smiles at the book I’m reading. Is this by you? I ask. Yes, he said. Glad I had a pen on me. @NicholasTimmins never before bumped into an author while reading their book!
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I won an award! Best digital writer B2B at @bsmeinfo. Pizzas and beers to celebrate! And congrats to @LawrenceDunhill for best scoop!
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I had a double lung transplant on Fri. One family's momentous decision has changed my life forever. Can't thank my donor enough x z.
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BREAKING: Vaccine prioritisation amended and shielding people now priority 4 - same level as over 70s and above over 65s. Much more common sense approach
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Well done @bloodcancer_uk for calling this out - @sajidjavid can you publish the data this statement is based on? Remains impossible to access for me and many many others.
We are very disappointed to hear @sajidjavid say the “vast, vast majority” of immunocompromised people have been invited for their 3rd covid vaccine dose. We continue to be inundated with calls from people with blood cancer who are struggling to get their 3rd dose. 1/.
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Did my first BBC2 #politicslive today on Lansley reforms which were largely disastrous as took time/money away from focusing on finances & patient care but creation of NHSE was mostly welcome as gave nhs space to set own agenda &needs -now being reversed & DHSC powers widened
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Not sure Patel could have said “public health England” more times in 30 seconds - seems to be the government’s favourite scapegoat atm. Lack of test availability seems to be about testing capacity within private testing site - it’s not about local public health strategies.
“The examples you’ve given are unacceptable”. Home Secretary Priti Patel tells #BBCBreakfast there is “more work to be undertaken” when questioned about testing delays by @mrdanwalker.
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@OncoloJo Hi Jo -if you wanted to talk about it I’d be keen to listen. As a journalist (and someone shielding) I’ve been worrying when these decisions would start being made -and whether NHSE needs to take moral responsibility in issuing guidance to help with these awful decision. DMs open.
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BREAKING Simon Stevens said at integrated care systems to be "put on a statutory basis" by April 2022, with new legal proposals to be discussed at NHSE/I board meeting on Thursday and legislation to be laid before parliament in Q1 of 2021. #NHSconfed #live.
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The day I decided to “give in” and use a wheelchair while I waited for transplant was the day I realised how much I’d missed while sitting at home keeping my pride intact for not giving in to a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are liberating and can make life more accessible/enjoyable.
Just heard on the radio 'I don't think we'll ever see the Queen in a wheelchair' she wouldn't give in. Can we all (including the media) stop this idea that using a wheelchair is giving in or so awful that we couldn't possibly see a 95 year old use one if she needed.
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V.emotional reading this. Thinking of young CFers might never have to go through what I’ve been through but mournful for all those people that have died or been forced to seek transplant while waiting 3 YEARS for this to happen. Hope this never happens again for other conditions
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Back from almost three weeks in the Scottish Hebrides to start my first day @alzheimerssoc - can't wait to get stuck in. Strange to be starting a new job from home but, to steal Bowie's lyrics, the covid-era is very much about "Turn and face the strange" #newjob #policywonk.
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Lung MOT @RBandH - and just witnessed the new tea trolley initiative - amazing! Often people come alone and can’t get out to get drinks while waiting for multiple tests - and I’ve been up since 6am to get here so caffeine needed. Thank you Harefield !
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Oh and I HATE talk of being a "fighter". The almost 8k lost to #coronavirus weren't weak-its a deadly virus. My friends who I have lost to #CF were incredible, vibrant women, stronger than anyone I know. The only thing we can "fight" atm is selfishness & lack of compassion 3/3.
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Really useful video that might help others with LD feel more comfortable getting the jab - Amanda is pretty cool in this wish I had the confidence to just say ‘yes’ if someone called me a superstar!.
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TO journos/MPs saying we can’t stop ppl going outside cos of mental well-being- Gov has told me &1.5m vulnerable ppl to NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE for 12wks &“time period could change”. Don’t we count? Take control now &get this nightmare over quicker #allinthistogether #coronavirusuk.
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As a health journo who's had a lung #transplant today was weird. Talk of ICU/oxygen/CPAP brought back the days when this was my world. Last night I was awake until 3am, keeping a vigil for #Boris like when I waited for news of whether my #CF friends in ICU would pull through 1/2.
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I’ve moved to National Voices as the head of policy and external affairs in an amazing job share with @beccasteinfeld - here’s a short video of us introducing ourselves and the job share #jobshare #nationalvoices.
Two people, speaking with one voice, and sharing one inbox!💬. Catch up with @beccasteinfeld and @SharonBrennan, as they highlight what they respectively bring to the Joint Head of Policy and External Affairs role👇
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A year and a day ago since I started shielding. That is all.
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As per usual comms for immune suppressed ppl is disastrous. Has anyone got THIRD vaccine dose yet? My GP said I’m in a queue with others for the booster dose - it’s NOT a booster and doesn’t have to have a six month gap. Other friend’s GP said they’d never heard of it. 1/2.
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Hey Twitter looking for a freelance researcher - ideally agency background - for a short project. Would be keen to hear especially from someone with a disabled/caring background as hours can be very flexible. Please RT. #researchjob #freelance.
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Javid on immune suppressed "absolutely right to raise this issue, said vaccines are there to help everyone, we would want to see them take the usual protections they take in winter to protect against flu and be in touch with doctors about what other protections they can take".
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Some progress at last - 4 calls with my GP in 2 weeks & 3rd dose remains impossible to access. Totally gutting 850k booster appointments already booked when I have no immune response to the first 2 vaccines and don’t have to wait until 6 months after the 2nd dose #cev #wematter.
Update on third primary Covid jabs for immunosuppressed patients: Today NHS England has written to GPs and hospital trusts telling them to contact eligible patients and offer third doses by 11th October. @cv_cev @kidneycareuk @bloodcancer_uk.
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Labour conf highlights: taking part in @rcgp panel with @SKinnock @BecksFisher @KamilaRCGP - left convinced for need to change GP funding so most deprived areas don’t get lowest funding and to use shift to community to bring in patient exp measurement 1/8 #LabourConference2024
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So disappointing to see Johnson not wearing a mask in hospital today- people vulnerable to Covid should as bare minimum feel safe in a hospital when receiving treatment. Boris instead signals it’s again down to personal choose - notably his over anyone else’s #maskarentpolitical
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Got my amazing dog Rosie from @BDCH a year ago today. She's been the best companion, getting me through a transplant http://t.co/R5WZHrlnzt.
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Gov road map says it "anticipates" ppl will no longer need to shield beyond 31 March. Gov shielding letter says shield until had both vaccine doses as gov is assessing the “impact" of jab. Most ppl 2nd vaccine is after 31 March -so when does shielding end? Need clearer guidance!.
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@atropinotgrigio Situation so bad the alternatives also out of stock - the buying abroad suggestion was because I was desperate-some CF hospitals also now restricting supply to outpatients - j can’t get through to mine but obv will keep trying.
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My 1st piece in @guardian for a good while. Really surprised by how lovely the comments are #samaritans #transplant.
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For #IWD I’m looking forward to a future where genuine part time jobs or job shares are the norm - women who are disabled/have a long term health condition/ or caring responsibilities will not have equitable access to high-level careers without them #disability #disabledwomen.
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Thanks to @RBandH for doing a 1 hr live webinar for its lung tx patients - not easy to listen to a lot of it but such a relief to be able to hear real advice from experts - esp in Gov vacuum #thankyou #transplant #Covid19.
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These drugs can prevent 2-4 IV hospitalisations a year for 2-4 weeks at a time, plus transplants, wonder how these lifetime costs balance over drug costs - plus ability to work (ie pay tax), need less social care support etc.
An annual prescription for #cysticfibrosis drug Kaftrio costs £200,000 per patient per year. For Symkevi it is £173,000, and £104,000 for Orkambi. @NICEComms says they're too expensive for NHS:
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Here’s why I leaked the shielding plan - there is time to demand change to prevent even further damage caused by health inequalities and listen to the needs of those actually shielding #shielding #HSJ #listentopatients.
MUST READ: The government is forcing people 'shielded' from Covid to choose between their lives and income via @SharonBrennan - who broke original story and is a 'shielded' person.
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Great tips for GPs while waiting for December guidelines from December - but Dr Gail Allsopp from @rcgp calls for rehab services in the community NOT just online resources and more funding to help long covid. #hsjpatientsafety
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@cftrust The issue is that the mitigations aren’t working anymore - I have added a prescription for 10000 but none it those and submitted prescription 6-8 weeks ago. If we now need to ration what we have a think we need to be honest about that as no one has a clue what to do.
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I was friends with 1 of these people who ‘would’ve died anyway’ but her death was shit -4 wks in hospital no visitors allowed until last wk of life & no discharge to her hospice. It’s not just about dying -the trauma & PTSD from a bad death will be with families forever #Covid19.
The #Covid19 death toll may be less than half what has been recorded because many victims of the pandemic would have died soon anyway, according to @ProfKarolSikora
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Usual protections are people with flu/pnuemonia have clear symptoms and stay at home so immune supressed not around them. How can people protect against a symptomless illness, that has a death rate of 20 per cent in transplant patients, and still have equity of access to society?.
Javid on immune suppressed "absolutely right to raise this issue, said vaccines are there to help everyone, we would want to see them take the usual protections they take in winter to protect against flu and be in touch with doctors about what other protections they can take".
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Due to a transplant I monitor my lung function every week- today’s the highest it’s ever been on my home monitor- maybe it’s the cleaner air?.
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Amazing to see @HSJnews win best editorial team at #AOPAwards21 - what a year to be a part of a team smashing exclusive after exclusive - and fab to see @HSJEditor win his second best editor award this year too. Very proud of us all #HSJ #bestteam.
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V.pleased to be shortlisted for British Journalism award in science&health category. Let's see what happens in Dec!
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My friend has just received amazing support from @kidneycareuk - support with advocacy, finances and a space to rant - thank you @FionaCLoud for reaching out and suggesting it. Friend said: "A really lovely lady called me from Kidney Care Uk it was an incredibly productive chat".
Urgent surgery delays affecting my friends too - one's urgent kidney transplant (live donor) delayed since March 2020, still with no date, she has waited so long she is now left in wheelchair unable to walk due to severe complications. She's 29. Her life matters too.
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My article about my lung transplant -feels emotional reliving it. Forever grateful to the family who saved my life http://t.co/zPnVQSG5yK.
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Asked someone who sat next to me if they would mind wearing a mask and got told off by them and no mask worn. Give up - no trains for me in the near future.
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Following on from my tweet yesterday, I have seen huge anger, frustration and real despair about medication shortages across lots of conditions. 1 man can’t get his son’s epilepsy meds, another can’t have prostate cancer bone scan as no isotopes, ADHD meds unavailable 1/n.
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After 26 days I'm going home, with new lungs and a new life. Forever grateful to my donor #transplantssaveslives.
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Second time I've been recognised by @pressgazette for coronavirus reporting, great to see such a breadth of work represented here too #covid #reporting #HSJ.
Congrats to both @ClaireJWilde @leponline and @SharonBrennan @HSJnews on their work highlighted in our survey for Excellence in Reporting Coronavirus #JournalismMatters
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Excellent work by @bloodcancer_uk - 56% of 2,891 immune compromised people haven’t been invited for 3rd dose by NHS own deadline - and yet still not eligible for mass vaccination centres or central booking a- “badly wrong” is an understatement #CEV #COVID.
Earlier this week, we asked you to fill in a survey about whether you've been invited for a third dose of the Covid vaccine. Thanks you to the incredible 2,891 people with blood cancer who filled it in! /1.
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Some shielded are going back to work, some very scared of doing so, on Wednesday 1 July - SEVEN WORKING DAYS TIME - is it safe to do so? A basic question. Gov just being rude now - hard to believe they care #forgottenshielders #Shielders #ShieldingHour.
Question two: when will the shielding update be published? "The coming weeks/very shortly," we are told.
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Two great policy jobs going at @mndassoc - you'd be part of an energetic, ambitious team if my previous experiencing of working with old colleague @kielankielan is anything to go by!.
We're recruiting @mndassoc for two Senior Policy Advisers to work on these tricky little things called #health and #socialcare. I'm keen to hear from people about the role, especially those from diverse backgrounds. DM me if this piques your interest!.
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So proud of my old boss/mentee/friend @Davewwest - hugely deserved win for an amazing, determined journalist who is also hugely supportive of his whole team at @HSJnews.
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Guidance also quotes PHE press release which caused much upset with charities incl @bloodcancer_uk as it uses data that is not correct for very immune suppressed. @PHE_uk was forced to put out below tweet after release but @DHSCgovuk quotes study in CEV guidance with no caveats
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And if they can’t work from home? This is totally inadequate from Boris - how can people be extremely clinically vulnerable but not protected to work from home? #shielding #SecondLockdown
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At the @rcgp election manifesto launch at parliament - @NVTweeting is delighted that @jacoblant has been asked to speak as it demonstrates the real importance of putting the needs of patients at the centre of change
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This is why I and many others started to shield before government advice as I listened to my consultants who were horrified by Italy. Thoughts to all those who couldn’t do what I did because they couldn’t work from home or didn’t have an understanding boss like @HSJEditor.
“The shielding plan was hacked together in two all-nighters”. Dominic Cummings says “lots of people in the cabinet office said we shouldn’t have a plan” for shielding and “we shouldn’t put out a helpline… it would be swamped”.
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Congratulations to my colleagues @LawrenceDunhill , @journo_kituno , @Davewwest and me (!) as we have all been shortlisted for @bsmeinfo awards. #awards #bsme #hardworkpaysoffs #hsj.
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@ShaunLintern worst care I’ve ever had is when my knowledge of my own LTC was ignored or worse annoyed my nurse when I told her she wasn’t doing something right - the best is when I’m listened to. You don’t have a condition like sickle cell (or for me CF) without getting to know your body well.
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@AdamWagner1 This is effectively what’s happened In reverse to people who are CEV. Despite doing the right thing and having 3 jabs I am told to stay away from unvaccinated people. So I’d rather the negative consequence of not being jabbed are felt by the unvaccinated rather than CEV people.
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3mths post-transplant yesterday. Going to Paris for my wedding anniversary in June. Life is v. good. V.grateful to my doctors and my donor.
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Exclusive: CEO of Public Health England says he is "sorry beyond words" for decision to scrap his org was released to the media before he could tell staff. Also said it could take "months” for a decision to be made on how PHE’s wide remit will be provided
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1 told to call 119 -they’ve never heard of it nor of JCVI! No one I know can book via national booking site as we aren’t on system as eligible. OUR LIVES MATTER - organ donation only extends life not saves life so TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Sort it out @NHSEngland @DHSCmedia 2/2.
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Our pioneering job-share comes to an end, after 4yrs at National Voices @beccasteinfeld is moving on to new challenges -we’ve learnt a lot about this new way of working &I’ll still be reaching out to Rebecca for ongoing career/policy guidance! (@beccasteinfeld u know that right?).
Internally, I pioneered @NVTweeting's first job-share alongside the brilliant @SharonBrennan. Together, we showed that people with caring responsibilities and those living with health conditions can excel in senior leadership roles – if inclusive adjustments are made. 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽/8.
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@drmarkporter @mjauk We covered this on @HSJnews yesterday - @NikkiKF clearly not consulted, nor BMA, RCGP or any charities. It seems they were told about the guidance about six hours before it was announced.
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Government has just responded to this story to say: “We are considering the next steps for the shielding programme beyond the end of June, based on the latest medical and scientific advice. No final decision has yet been made and we will set out more detail shortly" #shielding.
BREAKING: shielding programme for high risk patients to be dropped at end of July. Fears of unemployment, huge anxiety and mass confusion on what people are meant to be do could result if government does not implement the change well.
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A letter to GPs confirming the news also said shielding was to be extended to 31 March, from 21st Feb. Good news for those who are being asked by employers to go back next week BUT again @DHSCmedia comms poor as why so little notice? #shielding #31March 2/3.
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Out and about early today to take part in some important discussions on patient experience and continuity of care in primary care services - and yes mainly posting this pic to show off my new Jigsaw suit I got from #Vinted for £15. Love a bargain!
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Just to be clear it won’t be me personally arguing with you about your ICS boundary.
Get ready for 18 months of arguments over ICS boundaries . -from @SharonBrennan .
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