Many disabled Scots feel “forgotten” as they struggle to access essentials like food and medicine while shielding, new research has found.

A survey by Inclusion Scotland reveals particular problems with at-risk people who have not been added to the shielding list, which relates to a ‘narrow’ range of health conditions.

Almost a fifth of survey respondents said had been advised to shield by their doctor but had not received an official letter adding them to the shielding list, leaving them ‘angry and confused’.

It comes as a further relaxation of shielding measures in Scotland was announced, meaning those deemed at the risk highest risk to the virus no longer have to physically distance from members of their own household and partner with one other household in some circumstances.

The Scottish Government is aiming to ‘pause’ shielding at the end of this month, after which support such as grocery deliveries will stop.

But Inclusion Scotland Chief Executive of Dr Sally Witcher says: “Our survey suggests much more needs to be done if all disabled Scots at very high risk from Covid-19 are to be able to stop shielding safely.”

Changes the charity wants to see include social care support that has been cut being reinstated, support for carers and advice tailored by condition.

Seven in ten people in the official shielding group who had received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer said they had received the right kind of support but more than half of those who did not receive a letter said they did not.

People who never received a letter from the CMO reported feeling “abandoned and forgotten about” by public services, Inclusion says, with some facing an “ongoing battle” to get food, particularly at the start of the pandemic.

One individual in this position said: “Shopping can be difficult as major supermarkets have huge waiting lists for delivery service and I have nothing to prove that I would be benefit from that service or that I should be a priority.

“I am in a lot of pain at the moment so walking round a supermarket is not possible.”

Anxiety about stopping shielding was also laid bare in the survey, which had 135 respondents.

Dr Sally Witcher added: “As infection rates fall and restrictions on those who are shielding are eased we urgently need advice and support that meets the needs of all those who have been shielding, including those without a letter, particularly if there is a second wave or local outbreaks that cause disabled people to need to shield again.

“Scottish Government, local authorities, employers, supermarkets and others all have key roles to play. 

“We look forward to forthcoming further guidance for people shielding. Inclusion Scotland will do what it can to work in partnership with others to ensure that the needs and voices of all disabled people shielding are reflected in this.”

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