A leading Labour councillor has raised concerns at the way vulnerable residents are being repeatedly contacted by health officials during the outbreak of Covid-19.

Cllr Judi Billing says that she has been sent repeated texts reminding her that she is vulnerable to Covid-19.

She has been sent a letter asking her whether she would want to be admitted to hospital if she contracted Covid-19.

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She has been asked to indicate whether – or not – she would want invasive “and possibly unpleasant” treatments, if they would increase her survival chances.

And she said at times she felt there was “a quite upsetting level of pressure” to fill in documents agreeing to ‘do not resuscitate’ in the event of becoming ill.

In one phone call, she says she has even been asked by her GP if she has made a will or set up a lasting power of attorney.

Cllr Billing, who represents Hitchin North, shared her ‘upsetting’ experiences at a meeting of the county council’s special cabinet panel on Friday.

And she questioned the impact this would have had on a vulnerable patient, who may not be so well supported.

Cllr Billing, who is leader of the Labour group on the county council, said: “Now I am a well supported member of many communities and a large and supportive family and I have found that very upsetting.

“Heaven knows what that will be doing to frail, elderly, isolated people if they get such a call from their GP and get the forms to fill in, that I have been asked to do.

“I was asked by my GP if I had made a will and if I knew what resuscitation was like, in terms of breaking people’s ribs.

“I was asked if I had those agreements that you have with your family about when they would take over.

“So there is learning that all of us in our different communities as county councillors need to be aware of, as well as the shining examples of working together which I do not deny for one second.”

At the meeting councillors catalogued a number of steps take by the county council in response to the Covid-19.

In response to Cllr Billing’s concerns, director of adult care services Iain MacBeath told members of the panel that he did recognise what Cllr Billing had said.

And he referred to similar concerns that had been raised by care providers, where he said people from the NHS had been following guidance “quite stringently” and “probably a little bit over-zealously”.

But he said the county council had now worked with the NHS to clarify the guidance and that had been sent to every GP practice in Hertfordshire.

Following the meeting he said that it was appropriate for issues such as ‘do not resuscitate’ orders to be considered.

But he stressed that no-one should feel under any pressure. And he said the forms could be positive in making it clear residents would want resuscitation or other measures.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for East and North Hertfordshire CCG stressed that the opportunity to have an honest conversation was often welcome.

And she said it was a way on making sure residents wishes were understood, which could save “save a lot of heartache” for loved ones.

“The NHS is working hard to protect people from Covid-19,” she said.

“By communicating with the people who are most at risk, the government and GP practices are trying to ensure that advice and offers of support are getting through. This is particularly important if they live alone.

“Many people of all ages have strong feelings about the way that they wish to be cared for if they are very ill. The opportunity to have an honest conversation with friends, family members and care givers is often very welcome.

“By thinking through your preferences about organ donation or whether you would want someone to attempt to re-start your heart for example, you can ensure your wishes are understood and save a lot of heartache for your loved ones.”

She said the CCG was “sorry” that the councillor had been upset by the communications. And she say that if the councillor contacted them they would be happy to look into her concerns in more detail.