Supermarket shopping - proof you're a vulnerable person?

elsien

uknick said:

Thanks for the input.  I think I'll turn up Monday morning and see what happens.  If not allowed in, I'll wait and join the queue to be allowed in at 9.  I don't think she'll get a letter as it stands at present, but last night she registered on the .Gov site as a vulnerable person; didn't know about that when I posted yesterday.  Let's see if that helps.  

Not sure a prescription for gluten free food will help where we live.  GP surgeries have taken all OTC medicines off the approved prescription list since the 2018 NHS guidelines.  My partner has an ongoing  fight to keep eye drops on prescription despite Moorfield consultants saying she needs them to treat her chronic eye condition.  Every couple of months, the surgery prescription clerk takes them off repeat, my partner makes appointment to see GP to ask for them to be put back on (at least 6 weeks wait), shows GP consultant paperwork about her need, GP puts them back on list, next review they come off again and she has to start all over again.

Regarding food running out, whilst not so important, I'm on an anti inflammatory diet for my OA.  Part of this is fresh or frozen blueberries/blackberries/cherries.  All these are gone by midday where I live.  Even fresh spinach is hard to find.  The fact they were all in abundant supply at all times of day prior to the COVID-19 crisis, makes me wonder as to the mentality of the locusts buying every thing just in case they will be needed.  When it's all over, I predict there will be tons of food going into landfill.  

Try Lidl. Blueberries in abundance late afternoon last week.

Murphybear

I have been to Sainsbury’s twice in the hour slot for OAPs /vulnerable people.  These are 8.00 am - 9.00 am on Monday’s, Wednesdays and Fridays.  They didn’t ask for ID on either time and when I checked this with them they said they were only checking on the 1/2 hour NHS slot.  I don’t know if this is Sainsbury’s policy or up to the individual store.

unfortunately there is no guarantee that they will have everything that they have had a shortage of, I think it depends when they get their deliveries and if they have sufficient staff to deal with them at the time.


We went yesterday and they had toilet paper, paracetamol and anti bacterial handwash.  They did have some pasta but not much and I don’t know if it was the gluten free.  They were also short of tinned tomatoes 

sorry I couldn’t be more positive but hope this helps.

A couple of other things that people might find useful.

We arrived at about 7.50 am and had to queue up 6 ft apart.  They let about 50 people in then on a strict “one out one in” basis but if someone had a carer they let them both in together but didn’t ask for proof.  It was bitterly cold outside and we got in at 8.30 am.

I spoke to one of the staff who was very helpful and told me the following

Since the new rules the “OAP” slot has been the busiest of the day
It is much quieter at around 11.00 am and the quietest time is around 4.00 pm
I heard her advising a pensioner to go on a Tuesday or Thursday

Our Sainsbury’s is a small branch in a market town with an above number of retired people.

Sorry for the long post but I hope this helps everyone

Best  wishes 

MB

uknick

SadieO said:

I agree with silvercar. You might not think it is "clearly defined" but I think the spirit of the "vulnerable hour" is to allow those at enhanced risk to have a chance to shop with fewer people around. If you yourself are not vulnerable then you are fine to go at any other time. Sorry, I know you are just trying to do the best for your partner but you may be putting other vulnerable people at risk by going at that time. I know you are just one extra person but lots of people have an older or vulnerable family member - if they all went shopping at the "vulnerable" hour, even if not so themselves, then the people who actually are vulnerable themselves would find themselves shopping with lots of extra people,  defeating the object. 

Not going to disagree with that.  That's why I've not thought about taking advantage of the vulnerable time slot till now.  But, if I can't get her food by going normal times, it does leave me in a pickle (if I could get any that is ).

I was hoping by now people would have stockpiled all they need and availability would have got back to normal.  Clearly not.  On Monday I'll get there early but outside the special times and see what it's like. If it's still not possible to get provisions then I'll have to have a re-think as to what to do next.

elsien

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

uknick

elsien said:

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

I wouldn't go shopping just for those items; if my post implied I would, I apologise.    They are items without which our weekly cooked dinner is not as nice.   I cited the gravy and stuffing are examples of gluten free items that have disappeared of the shelves as a result of stockpiling by people who, I'm guessing, don't actually need them.   If they did, there would generally be loads more shelf space for them, and not just a little space at the end of the Free From aisle as in our local Tesco and Sainsbury's.  

But having said that, what would you consider to be essential? Baked Beans?  Tinned soup? Bread and water?  Everybody has different tastes/requirements and I wasn't aware there was yet a set of rules as to what we should or should not buy.  For example, I struggle to see why anybody would be buying alcohol at this time, or any time for that matter, but they clearly are as evidenced by the empty shelves.  However, if that is what they want, then who I am I to tell them what is essential or not?   

John_

elsien said:

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

Are you also sure that your partner has a medical need for gluten-free foods? Are they diagnosed with coeliac disease? If not, and it’s just a preference then please leave it for those who have an actual diagnosis.

elsien

uknick said:

elsien said:

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

I wouldn't go shopping just for those items; if my post implied I would, I apologise.    They are items without which our weekly cooked dinner is not as nice.   I cited the gravy and stuffing are examples of gluten free items that have disappeared of the shelves as a result of stockpiling by people who, I'm guessing, don't actually need them.   If they did, there would generally be loads more shelf space for them, and not just a little space at the end of the Free From aisle as in our local Tesco and Sainsbury's.  

But having said that, what would you consider to be essential? Baked Beans?  Tinned soup? Bread and water?  Everybody has different tastes/requirements and I wasn't aware there was yet a set of rules as to what we should or should not buy.  For example, I struggle to see why anybody would be buying alcohol at this time, or any time for that matter, but they clearly are as evidenced by the empty shelves.  However, if that is what they want, then who I am I to tell them what is essential or not?   

If you can get the stuff you need then you shouldn't be crashing the vulnerable person's hour for the nice to have's. Such as gravy or alcohol.  That's my view anyway. Which you are free to ignore as you wish. 

uknick

John_ said:

elsien said:

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

Are you also sure that your partner has a medical need for gluten-free foods? Are they diagnosed with coeliac disease? If not, and it’s just a preference then please leave it for those who have an actual diagnosis.

The consultants she has seen have diagnosed a gluten intolerance caused by her leaky gut/gut dysbiosis problem caused by excessive antibiotic prescriptions.  Trust me, you don't go gluten free unless you have to.  Have you tried gluten free bread?

I agree with you about those who choose to go gluten free because some celebrity or whatever says it's good for you.  Last year we were on a cruise and her gluten free choice at the self service was severely restricted by the limited amount prepared that was taken by people who thought they'd just try it.  For example, I saw one man load his plate with gluten free sandwiches as well lactose free ones which were, I assume, on normal bread.  

uknick

elsien said:

uknick said:

elsien said:

You could also reconsider your list of essential items. Stuffing and gravy probably aren't. 

I wouldn't go shopping just for those items; if my post implied I would, I apologise.    They are items without which our weekly cooked dinner is not as nice.   I cited the gravy and stuffing are examples of gluten free items that have disappeared of the shelves as a result of stockpiling by people who, I'm guessing, don't actually need them.   If they did, there would generally be loads more shelf space for them, and not just a little space at the end of the Free From aisle as in our local Tesco and Sainsbury's.  

But having said that, what would you consider to be essential? Baked Beans?  Tinned soup? Bread and water?  Everybody has different tastes/requirements and I wasn't aware there was yet a set of rules as to what we should or should not buy.  For example, I struggle to see why anybody would be buying alcohol at this time, or any time for that matter, but they clearly are as evidenced by the empty shelves.  However, if that is what they want, then who I am I to tell them what is essential or not?   

If you can get the stuff you need then you shouldn't be crashing the vulnerable person's hour for the nice to have's. Such as gravy or alcohol.  That's my view anyway. Which you are free to ignore as you wish. 

As I said previously, I won't be crashing the vulnerable times.  Luckily, I've got just enough for today's dinner.  Next week, I'll try to get to the store to join the queue just before they open and see what's there. 

elsien

I'm with you on the not having gluten free stuff if you don't have to though. Nephew was diagnosed as well, and the gluten free cake we had for his birthday was vile.