Get help
If you can’t find the help you need on our website, or your need is more urgent, please phone the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on: 0300 790 6275
The helpline is available from 8am to 6pm every day, including weekends.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can contact us using SMS text: 07781 482858
Latest government guidance
Shielding has resumed in England. If you’re shielding, do not attend work, school, college or university. You can get support if you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, for example priority access to supermarket deliveries.
You can find the full guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable here
The shielding guidance applies to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals only. Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance. They should instead follow National lockdown: Stay at home guidance.
Government advice letters
If you or your child has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, you will have received a letter from the government addressed personally to you.
This letter is to let you know about the guidance that is in place for clinically extremely vulnerable people during the national lockdown. You can find a copy of the letter for reference only below.
COVID-19: letter to clinically extremely vulnerable people – Reference-only version of letter from the government to people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
COVID-19: letter to clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people – Reference-only version of letter from the government to children and young people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
Letters to people identified as high risk
COVID-19: letter to people identified as high risk aged 70 and over – Reference-only version of letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model, aged 70 and over.
COVID-19: letter to people identified as high risk aged 19 to 69 – Reference-only version of letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model, aged 19 to 69.
Registering for support
You can use a new online service to register yourself, or on behalf of someone else, to:
- request access to a priority supermarket delivery slot (if you have already got priority supermarket deliveries, you will keep them).
- tell your council if you need support in order to follow this guidance that you are unable to arrange yourself and cannot be provided by friends, family or other support networks
- make sure your details such as your address are up to date
This new online service can be found here and is now live for you to register for support.
You’ll be asked for your NHS number which you will find on the top of the letter you get. You can log in and update your needs if circumstances change at any time.
If you need to register your needs by phone, or have an urgent need, contact the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline on: 0300 790 6275
NHS services
Please remember that the NHS is open, and we urge you to continue to access all the NHS services that you need. It is safer for you to use the NHS than to try to manage alone.
If you are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on your health, speak to your GP, hospital clinician or use NHS111.
The NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group has issued an open letter to everyone in Somerset, jointly signed by the County Council, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The letter offers all Somerset residents information and reassurance as we enter this second national lockdown. The message is “Health and care services in Somerset are open and here to help you.”
People at higher risk from coronavirus – NHS advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.
Chat to Connect Service
Do you want to meet new people in a similar position to you, with shared interests? We know it’s good to talk and share experiences. Community Council for Somerset (CCS) can connect you with another person who is on the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable list to keep your spirits up – you are not alone.
You can find out more on the Community Council for Somerset website
Useful links
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
New technology to help identify those at high risk from COVID-19 – New technology has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify, for the first time, a new group of people who may be at high risk from COVID-19.
Making a support bubble with another household – How you can safely expand the group of people you have close contact with during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Accessing food and essential supplies – How to get food and other essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.
Getting help with daily activities outside your home during coronavirus
NHS – What you can do if you are feeling lonely during the coronavirus outbreak
Vitamin D supplementation during winter: Statement from Public Health England (PHE) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Somerset County Council
Somerset’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
Useful national and local links