Attending hospital appointments during virus scare

[Spanielblue]

What are your thoughts about keeping to planned hospital appointments with this ongoing virus surrounding us. I have three coming up - lung function, scan and haematology but feel a little fearful about attending them. In particular the haematology as always kept about an hour to hour and a half waiting to be seen. I It would help to know what some of you think about it and whether you will be attending or postponing your appointments - if you have any, of course.

[sassy59]

It is a concern but Pete is going ahead with his blood test at Worthing Hospital on the 19th. We’ll keep an eye on any information leading up to that date. Xxxx

[LizzieWizz]

Hi Spanielblue. I had appointments yesterday at both my local hospital and GP. Both were surprisingly empty and I was seen very quickly. I opted to go to my appointments as I felt things are in the earlier stages of the virus at the moment and numbers will only increase with time - so figured it might be better to go sooner rather than later. I made sure I had hand sanitiser with me for after I had used the car park ticket machine etc and washed hands fully once home. It's a very personal choice though I think.

But for me - my children are at school every day (school still open despite a recent trip to Italy over half term) and my husband works in London so is on the tube every day. To be honest I think I have more risk from them so that probably affected my decision!

Good luck and wish you all the best

[2greys]

I have at least 5 possibly 7 appointments between 12th March to 15th May. with a min of 2 hours by bus for each appointment. Yes, I will need to go, 4 of them are related to lung cancer, it is important that this is resolved and not delayed. 1 will be to cardio and another 2 for respiratory appointments. Scary, but I feel I have little choice, they are all important especially the cancer related ones. I will of course be paranoiac, with trying to keep as much distance as practical from people and liberal use of hand gel if I can get hold of enough.

My partner works in a nursing home as well, all in all feel as though I am in a very vulnerable position. Difficult days ahead for us all I'm afraid.

[O2Trees]

If you feel crowded in the waiting room, dont hesitate to stand in the corridor if you feel safer there. That's what I do - nothing worse than anxiety that someone will make you sick.

[2greys in reply to O2Trees]

The extensive news coverage is creating element of fear within the population, among the healthy as well as the more vulnerable. I have a feeling that large crowds will not be too big a problem, many of the more minor cases will probably stay away, choose not to attend, having said that, I hope they remember to cancel rather than just fail to show up if that is the case. That will allow those that do attend, to be seen more quickly, not having to wait around.

[Hidden]

I never like attending hospital appointments in bug season even without corovirus, but I am attending a follow up one tomorrow, just have to trust. If there was a problem the hospital would cancel appointments I think.

healthunlocked.com/blf/post....

[annenic]

I have a Gastroenterology appt 2more and have no qualms about going, even though I have COPD and Asthma. I'm always hoping to stay well, but a virus is it's own master x

[beech]

I would do much as I do at my GPS - attend the appointment, but wait outside the main waiting area if there are many others there, especially those I’m wary of due to coughing and spluttering, or looking obviously unwell!

You can tell reception where you will be and stay within hearing distance perhaps to self-isolate. When it comes to my health I’m getting much more sensibly selfish about not exposing myself and not being embarrassed about that. You’ve got to be your own advocate here!

[bobbyfloyd]

I have an appointment on the 18th march, i phoned the hospital to ask if they had any coronvirus patient there and also is it safe to attend, they said no patient as yet and other than that all is fine to keep appointment, hope this helps but check with the hospital first as things change very quickly,

[James48]

Good luck and hope you stay well. I've only got one future app and that's next week at the GPs and am a bit anxious about that. We're all high risk on this site

[Caspiana]

I wish I could postpone Spanielblue , but I can't. Sorry for posting this reply I have earlier to another post but it's relevent.

Yesterday, I got in the morning rush train headed for Tokyo. I had no choice. I had lung clinic. I was very aware of every single cough and snivel in my carriage. Ninety five percent of us in that carriage were wearing masks. I got to hospital and washed my hands thoroughly. In fact I did that every hour for the five hours I was there. I came home and put all the clothes I wore straight into the washing machine and drew myself a hot bath before doing anything else. The bottom line is we just have to keep up with all the precautions we would normally. Despite all this we've still got to live. This is going off on a tangent a bit, but last week I heard of a colleague of mine who passed away suddenly in her thirties. One of the healthiest, people I know. And here I am lung transplant patient still alive despite everything. I'll be damned if I let this virus take me now. Be vigilant, keep out of crowds as much as possible and limit interaction with others for the time being. At the same time don't let it rule your life. Let's keep calm and carry on. 👑

Having said that. You must consider your own situation, not mine. xx 🌸🌼