Shocking how hard you have to fight now for a bit of ordinary infection control!! The surreal bit I mention was quite extraordinary. So here goes:
Dear Sir/Madam
I visited your hospital last Tuesday for an ultrasound scan which I have regularly to monitor for haemochromatosis damage to my liver.
I am writing following this appointment because I am concerned about infection control protocols in your department. I have late Stage 3 COPD, severe asthma and moderate bronchiectasis and assumed the ultrasound technician would be wearing a mask to carry out the scan. However, when I asked him to wear one I was met with resistance. It was only when I said that I would not put myself at risk or lie down for the scan until he was wearing a mask, that he left the room to find one.
He eventually returned with not one but two masks and asked me to wear one as well. Surprised, I pointed out repeatedly that I was exempt because of my lung conditions, and could not breathe through a mask. He was very insistent that if he was having to wear a mask then I should too. A conversation ensued which I can only describe as surreal, and the situation only finally resolved when I said I could rebook the appointment if he was not willing to wear the mask.
In 2015 at the K&C, and then twice in 2018 at the QEQM, I was an inpatient with double pneumonia and respiratory failure – each time due to secondary infections following my catching a run-of-the-mill virus. So I hope you will be able to understand that this has left me extremely anxious about catching something – anything, not just covid - during a routine procedure which could lead to a similar situation.
In every other way this technician, whose name I was not told, behaved appropriately, carrying out the scan in the professional manner a patient would expect. He gave me information when I requested it and ended by reassuring me about the state of my liver and the other organs he had just scanned, telling me I shouldn’t worry
I have thought a lot about what I should do following this incident. I do not want to make a formal complaint about a staff member who in every other way appeared exemplary. I am also of course aware that the hospital’s staff are under horrendous pressure due to cuts, the pandemic, waiting lists etc. However, what this incident made me consider is how your department, indeed the whole hospital, protects vulnerable patients from risk, whether or not we are in a pandemic.
My partner and I noted that staff walking around the hospital did not appear to be wearing masks, leading us to assume they are no longer required to. However, I hope you will consider how alarming it is for patients like myself to be exposed to possible infection and that you will let your staff know that if a patient requests that a mask be worn, that this should be done willingly and with a good grace.
Thank you for reading this.
Yours sincerely,
Written by
O2Trees
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I think that's fine and a very good letter. I would mention about not wanting to go to PALS and are happy to sort it locally and give them a time limit to respond. This might make them take it more seriously.
Take copies and maybe send one to your doctor as well? x
There seems to be quite a range of hospital protocols - very strange.
Separate point - I had an exhibition concerning a coastal bike ride I did in 2007 at St Mary's Hospital, I think in 2009/10, cant remember which year. Such a beautiful place - my parents met there at the end of WW2.
Good letter and relevant too Jean. In spite of his otherwise professional attitude I can't help but think thay he was being bloody minded asking you to wear a mask too. I think that hospital staff are no longer required to wear masks but some trusts have asked them to do so.
It's a different situation but I have quite a few health professionals visiting me at home and they all put a mask on before coming into my home. I don't see that a hospital or other health setting should be different when dealing with someone who is CEV.
Thanks Carole - he was indeed being bloody minded. The surreal bit I referred to was that he kept saying "well you dont know what conditions I have". Kept repeating it until I said that I didnt want to know, it wasnt my business. That we weren't together in a pub, but there in the hospital, where I was the patient and I had the right to protect myself. Really crazy.
I couldnt think sufficiently to say that if his conditions were that bad he should be wearing a mask anyway.
I think you get your point across very well O2. You also acknowledge their difficulties and his skills which will hopefully make them take your concerns seriously. He should have taken the precaution of wearing a mask without you having to ask because he should already have read your notes and recognised that you are vulnerable to infection. I wish we didn't have to fight our corner all the time.
I fully agree with your sentiments and think your letter is quite acceptable and appropriate. I hope it results in better respect and thought that you would expect for people who are vulnerable…even my hairdresser puts a mask on when she’s seeing to me as she knows I have cold 🤷♀️………. I personally thought hospitals still wore masks. I hope the hospital wakes up and takes serious notice of your letter. Xxx
An excellent letter Jean and you make very good points throughout. Nobody is now required to wear a mask unfortunately but I firmly believe they should be worn in medical settings. At Hospital on Friday I had a gynaecologist appointment and there were notices regarding mask wearing. Pete and I wore ours but many didn't bother. Fortunately all staff wore a face covering.
Common sense needs to prevail of course and your exemption would be obvious. Pete has had medical appointments and been told to remove his mask if he’s struggling to breathe as he is also exempt but likes to wear one if possible.
You behaved well but had to fight to ensure the technician did his bit without fuss. He failed at first so not good.
I wish you well with your letter and hope you hear back soon,
Thank you Carole - crazy isn't it? There seems no imperative to protect patients in some hospitals now. Im glad yours is more sensible. Big love to you and Pete
I think your letter is absolutely reasonable and l would not hesitate in sending it. I have felt that on several occasions. Very worrying so please go ahead and let me know how it goes. Good Luck.
Thank you Liberty. My friend who used to be a nurse is coming round this afternoon so I will show it to her too. I will let you and others who have replied when I get a reply.
I think your letter is fine it is worrying to lots of people like us who have serious health conditions. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻
I am so disappointed with our professional staff. You were correct in being assertive and making your request. Hospital staff are required to wear masks at all times with patients. Also, staff with an exemption are required to wear an exemption badge on a lanyard. They are able to wear a face shield as an alternative.
In 2020 at the height of covid infections, the A&E (where I frequently saw patients/staff) was closed due to staff not following infection control procedures. They closed for 6 weeks and staff were sent on infection control refresher training.
There is no excuse for poor performance and I would not deal with this at a local level. Please write to PALS !!!!
Managers may not know that this radiologist is taking his/her mask off during work. The only way they will know is by patients writing a letter. You may be doing everyone a favour by writing to PALS as sometimes these letters are the only evidence to support training needs in some departments. I am retired but my son is a doctor at an NHS hospital and he will be appalled to hear of your experience.
It is a good letter. Send it to PALS with our support and thanks . With best wishes and thanks JJ
That’s awful, I’m so sorry you went through that. I’ve been lucky that the two hospitals I visit both still ask staff and patients to wear masks. You would think with the current pressures it would be made mandatory again. Your letter is excellent. I always wonder when this sort of thing happens about patients who don’t feel able to say anything, you have done a huge service for them too as I expect your complaint will get results.
Good letter 02Trees, as suggested maybe give time limit for reply , but they are supposed to acknowledge letter within three days , but have much longer to investigate. My opinion is masks should be part of good clinical practice as should hand washing. My local hospitals still use masks and my GPs has asked for patients to go back to masks due to rise in face to face appointments and virus figures in UK. Good luck with your letter its the only way to change the approach to care of those who are more vulnerable like ourselves.
I think it is an excellent letter and important that you send it. My husband who is extremely vulnerable with bronchiectasis has lived in fear of having to attend hospital for the past two years. Last week he was sent urgently to A and E at QEQM having first been to our little local urgent treatment centre. Both at the G P’s and the UTC, staff were all wearing masks. Imagine his horror at arriving at Margate to find no-one masked up. He wore his FFP 3 mask the whole time despite it being very uncomfortable for him. Your comments are very appropriate, and he should never have argued with you. I look forward to hearing if you get a response.
How interesting to hear from yourselves who are within the same trust as the K&C. The trust's protocols are cr*p. I can well imagine how terrified your husband must be. We live with that fear anyway and such incidents just make it worse. Best wishes to you and your husband. Valsha.
Great letter, hope it has an effect. Well done for writing it at all. I often say (to myself) in various situations “I will write a letter about this/I will complain about this” and then never do it. Inertia takes over, shrug, move on. If more of us wrote the letters we plan to write maybe, just maybe, things would improve. Good luck.
It’s a good letter, carry on McDuff! I am visiting our University Hospital and a number of staff blatantly wear their masks over their mouth only, or under their chin, or not at all. I have compromised lungs also, cancer and RA - we are v vulnerable.
I was admitted Thursday for an over night stay. I was informed by a nurse that Somerset nhs trust that mask wearing had been paused during the heat wave for staff and patients
InterestingYeo58. However it was last Wednesday and the temperature was not in the heatwave range. It must sometimes be awful to wear a mask, but in this case the room was very cool. Thanks for your reply.
I think you have outlined your concerns very clearly and objectively, and your letter reads well. In your position, I would send it to PALS, though, as, in my opinion and experience, it is far more likely to be dealt with if they are involved.
I don't think the technician behaved very proffessionally by speaking to you the way he did ('... you don't know what conditions I have...'). We all have an off day and say things sometimes that we wish we hadn't, but it still needs to be addressed or else it will just carry on!
No that wasnt professional, Moy, but the way he did the scan really was. I may bring up what he actually said if I dont get satisfaction. Will let you all know x
When i went for my mammogram do you have mask i said i cant wear becauae im exempt because of my severe asthma and i cant breath when wear one . You got to wear one it to protect us your wear masks i cant but insited next hold your breath how ccan i hold my breath when i nearly suffocatting and hurry up before i pass out and you end up doing paperwork.2 day later back in xray for knee xray told i csng wear mask that ok but hope you dont mind if i do no i dont mknd i know you gavd to wear them.
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Job-Covid-Mask-COPD & Emphysema
Transferred to Respiratory unit & holed up there 
pulmonary hypertension
Bronchiectasis and weight loss
Slow road to recovery.
