Terrified of going to GPS

[Wishing1969]

I have to go for a face to face appointment at the gp's, this means I have to break my sheilding for my daughter to take me, I haven't seen her or anyone since sheilding began, I'm terrified, of being near her and gp's

[peege]

Don't hug your daughter, wear a fine scarf if you can't cope with a face mask, have windows open if in a car, wear fine gloves if you don't have disposable ones. At the GPs surgery don't touch anything (they'll be having strict cleaning regime anyway) and use the hand gel available in all GP surgeries.

I forgot to say good luck. X

[leo60]

Everything peege said! I went yesterday for a blood test. The nurse had full PPE, there were only two of us in the (vast) waiting room and I was in there for less than 5 mins. Try not to worry and I hope your appointment goes well xx

[Troilus in reply to leo60]

Both of you wear a face covering, sit in the back, and enjoy the reunion.

[Wishing1969 in reply to Troilus]

That's the worry, I'm in wheelchair so can only sit in the front passenger. Thankyou for replying

[Troilus in reply to Wishing1969]

In which case I would have the window open and turn my head to breathe the incoming air. Also, bear in mind the rates of infection are pretty low on a regional basis. As a whole ( for the whole country) they seem high, but for example, where I live there have only been 5 positive tests in the county last week. It could well be the same or better where you are.

[peege in reply to Troilus]

Yes that's a point. In my area the R has only recently gone down to .8 my due to high numbers in the far tip of the area. In my town it's very low - I'll still be taking all the precautions even though I'm not shielded.

[Patsy164]

My husband has been to our gp a couple of times and he said it was very well organised and the doctors wore full ppe. He said it was not a worrying experience. The same with my daughter and her blood test. They are not shielding as i am but i can see your worries. Everyone has given great advice here which is lovely. I hope your trip to the gp goes well. Xx

[Hidden]

The gp surgery is one of the safest places you can be in as they will be in masks and gowns and social distancing will be done for you there but it's normal though to be frightened of going out after shielding and not know what to expect.

Best of luck with your appointment!

[cofdrop-UK]

I empathise with your worries. I have had to have one visit to the GPs. I was lucky enough to be able to sit in the back of my daughter’s car, but as I understand it sitting side by side is considerably safer than face to face, so with windows open you should be fine, whilst you both wearing masks.

If you re shielding the surgeries usually go out of their way to keep you separate. The GP I spoke to on the phone who arranged my visit asked me not to use the main entrance but to go to the side door and ring. Not to enter but to wait and he would come for me, which he did and we went into the first room available. We both wore masks, except during my examination. The only downside was there was no computers so the little info he had was what he had read before I saw him.

It may well be the safest time to be visiting a surgery when you think about it.

Good luck to you Wishing.

Love cx

[Carnival567]

I have been to our surgery for INR checks several times. I go through the staff entrance and am given a mask, the waiting room, which I was only in for less than half a minute, had six well spaced chairs. I saw the nurse who had an apron and mask and gloves. Out again ASAP. I was in hospital with a heart problem earlier this week. No problems at all. I forgot to mention, though you have no doubt realised, that I am shielding. I was tested for Covid 19 in hospital and test was negative. Just remember that the doctor doesn’t want you to be ill and will take all necessary precautions.

[Lemon7]

My son had to go to GP a while ago and when he came home he said it was probably one of safest places to be because of strict measures in place. Hand gel, mask etc. Good wishes to you.

[Ergendl]

All the best for your appointment. Do let us know how you get on.

[Bardear]

I am also shielding and have not been out since March and have a dental appointment on the 13th July and am - if truth be known - somewhat apprehensive but needs must.

Anyone shielding had any experience at the dentist yet? Advice please

lol xxxx

[Wishing1969 in reply to Bardear]

The doctor rang and changed my appt, I have to now go on Tuesday, I was all ready worked myself up to go and they rang and cancelled 1hr before. So I have to do it all again. My nephew had emergency appt at dentist this morning for antibiotics, they was all in ppe, totally safe and no one else there. 5 mins and done, he says he felt totally safe. Doesn't stop the anxiety for my appt though

[Bardear in reply to Wishing1969]

Further to my last post. The Dentist rang this morning to tell me that he would be cancelling my appointment on the 13th of July for him to have a look and possible referral.

I asked him why and he told me that NHS Guidelines stated that Dentists were NOT to treat any one Over 70 OR anyone shielding and that I should telephone 111. I asked if this would all change on August 1st and he said he "did not know". Ominous to say the least.

I wonder if I will be able to get myself some new glasses (the glass in mine has become all scratched right on the vision line) OR get my hearing aid fixed (so I can at least listen to the radio) let alone get my hair cut. Who knows. The mind boggles.

AGAIN nothing has been thought out for our group even after isolating for 12/14 weeks it seems that we will now be unable to get our teeth fixed unless we are referred to the Hospital (Shiver shiver) by 111. Let alone anything else.

Do hope your GP appointment goes well.

Take Care

Sorry about the exasperated whinge.

lol

xxxx

[Bardear]

Forgot to mention in last post that dentist is "ONLY LOOKING" and may well have to refer me on as they are not doing re-filling of teeth or extractions which I may need either of.

lol

xxxx