Hi all,
I am looking for some advice regarding the NHS COVID Pass, more specifically the medical exemptions form which I have recently applied for and received from NHS England.
I understand according to the GOV.UK website that "people with learning disabilities or autistic individuals, or people with a combination of impairments where vaccination cannot be provided through reasonable adjustments" could potentially apply for a medical exemption if either vaccination and/or regular COVID testing would not be in that person's best interests.
I was formally diagnosed as being on the spectrum in 2017, through the NHS. I do not believe vaccination and/or regular testing would be in my best interests. I face daily communication barriers linked to my condition, which makes it difficult for me to access society. I struggle with social situations and often require support to do simple, routine tasks away from the home, especially in terms of dealing with change or the unexpected. Change in particular causes me anxiety throughout the day, resulting in me finding it incredibly difficult to focus. I require support when attending appointments, and as such I am significantly limited. I believe that the additional burden of having regular COVID testing, and/or a vaccination, would only serve to cause me additional anxiety and stress.
On the form itself, there are three questions that are required to be completed by the patient:
- Medical reason(s) why you shouldn't be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Medical reasons why you shouldn't take a COVID-19 test. This may be the same as above. Your clinician will consult your record, but you may wish to add evidence for your exemption, such as a diagnosis letter from CAMHS.
- Include any information or supporting evidence that you would like your doctor to consider when they review your application. Your clinician will review your clinical records. You do not need to arrange an appointment with your clinician.
The clinician will then decide, through use of a tick box no less, whether he/she feels I am either exempted from vaccination, testing, both or neither. I understand that this is a one shot thing and that if my doctor disagrees with my opinion, her decision is essentially final and there is no right of appeal. I am slightly concerned about this as my doctor has never been the most agreeable of people, and I suspect that she'll find some reason not to sign it.
But if anyone here has any advice on this it would be much appreciated.