Have to visit GP but really worried

[GMcC2]

I have a non lung problem & after a telephone consultation the GP said they really needed to see me tomorrow to check a few things. I told them I’m very worried & not meant to go out for 12 weeks so they’ve said I can go first thing before anyone else. I’m still really worried. What do other people think? Are GPS wearing masks?

[Badbessie]

In reality it is the safest time to go. Our GPs see all their shielded patients first thing in a morning. When my wife went there was only 3 people there all of which had been shielding. Everything had been cleaned down overnight. My wife went for bloods and was in and out within minutes.just to add everyone was either screened by plastic or were wearing full PPE. Much safer than the GP visiting.

[GMcC2 in reply to Badbessie]

Than you so much for reply. That makes me feel bit better. I’m just annoyed at myself as I’ve been indoors for weeks doing all the right things but now this happens out with my control to stick a spanner in the works. Fingers crossed it’s OK.

[Badbessie in reply to GMcC2]

My wife felt the same. I feel it is far safer than the nurse coming to the house after visiting other houses. Stay well

[CDPO16]

Hi, I don't think your GP would ask you to attend the surgery if it wasn't absolutely necessary. I'm sure that they will be seeing you at the safest time of day. Hope all goes well with your appointment.

[Caspiana]

Hello GMcC2 , 👋

I am a transplant patient and although I really didn't want to , I had to go to the hospital for blood work. I think if your GP is insisting you go, it is better to go. I try to avoid public transport. I wear a mask and surgical gloves. I do not talk to anyone in the waiting area or on my way to hospital and I sit far away from anyone else. I carry wipes to disinfect where I sit. If I use the toilet, I flush it as I leave the stall. When I get home, I throw all my clothes in the washer, take a bath, brush my teeth and gargle with Listerine. This has been my life since transplant. It sounds over the top but it has kept me safe thus far.

Don't worry too much. I am sure your GP is just as worried about protecting himself/ herself and will take the appropriate precautions. It's wonderful they are giving you an early slot.

Take care,

Cas xx 🦋🌿🦋

[winfar]

I had been 4 weeks in isolation when nurse knocked on dorr she said sh was a community nurse here to take bloods. I asked

, through the door, if she had ppe protection. She said she had a plastic pinny and gloves but no mask. I said no but felt awful. A couple of days later another nurse knocked again to take bloods and told me she was wearing a mask as they had just been provided so i let her in. My family blew a gasket for me letting anyone in as extremely vulnerable and said that she could have been a carrier and i would have to wait at least 14 days to see. Not easy!

[skischool in reply to winfar]

My sister works for the NHS as a phlebotomist and visits clients on a daily basis,they have only very recently recieved both the PPE equipment,albeit not to the same standard as nurses in hospital trating people with suspected Covid 19 and official advice to wear a mask.

Worryingly late to introduce the procedure please bear in mind that community nurses have been under the same protocol and do not be to harsh in judging their behaviour.

[winfar in reply to skischool]

I wold not judge any nurses or care assistants as they are as much at risk as we are and i did not think my comments showed that. Apologies if it did. What i really meant to say was that all these people should be tested and passed ok bu then again what about the people who they visit shouldn't they need to be also. It is a minefield.

[skischool in reply to winfar]

Test,test,test as you say,something the government where ill prepared for,refused to take the advice of others better and should have anticipated and acted on far sooner,hopefully testing will concentrate on those providing services at a personal level but it will only ever be as good as the last test until we have the antibody test available to show who may already have had the virus and are least likely to pass it on,

[GMcC2]

Well I went to the GP. Nobody at all in waiting room. Dr had mask, apron & gloves (which she changed twice). Came straight home, put clothes in washing machine, had shower & brushed teeth. I don’t think there’s anything else I could have done to protect myself better, but no doubt I’ll probably still worry over the next 2 weeks. Thanks for the tips everybody x