Sheffield cancer patient told to stop shielding in NHS letter - against advice of doctors

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, received a letter from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals (STH) on October 6, shortly before her next chemotherapy session, telling her she didn't have to shield anymore.

But when she checked with her doctors they said the advice on the letter was wrong

Instead, they advised her to stay indoors until next April at least.

The cancer-stricken woman said: “I nearly cried when I got the letter, I’ve still got radiotherapy to go through and I’m really ill at the moment. I just couldn’t believe I’d been sent this, it’s just so stupid how can I go out when I can’t walk but also when we are shielding.”

The letter from the Medical Oncology department, on Sheffield Teaching Hospitals headed paper, states how the cancer patient does not have to follow the previous advice on shielding as that has been ‘paused’ following a drop in Covid-19 levels across England.

"Patients who go out are putting themselves at very high risk of death,” the woman added. “We’ve got no immune system on chemotherapy so mixing with anybody out and about is a no no.

"Luckily I wouldn’t have gone anyway as I’m too poorly to even walk but out of those letters how many people have potentially gone out and put themselves at risk?”

STH said the letter came from NHS England and it could not change its contents.

Dr Jennifer Hill, Medical Director (Operations), STH NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are very sorry if the letter caused any confusion but we can confirm it did contain the most up to date Government guidance at the time it was posted. The letter is a national letter which all hospitals are asked to use.

"However it is not the only advice we have been giving patients because our oncologists have been counselling high risk vulnerable patients throughout the pandemic to advise them of their own individual risks.

"The national and local situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly and as of the 13th October the national guidance was updated. We will continue to ensure our advice is in line with this new guidance and takes into account individual patient’s circumstances and potential risk.”

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