I needed a blood test in the next week for Doctors appointment on May 20 which I hope will be by telephone. Am in the UK on W & W.
I rang the vampires, sorry phlebotomists, at the local NHS hospital to ask for an appointment. 54 dials later they answered. Lovely lady said can you come down in at 10.50. I said "Fine but I'm shielding. Will I be safe or better coming tomorrow, early doors?"
LL said "You'll be fine. There will be no more than 1 or 2 people here."
So I went and waited in a waiting room with 11 people, all of whom were desperately trying to keep 2m away from anyone else, which was impossible.
Worried now but grateful to everyone who was making the best of things in difficult times. The phlebotomist was within 0 metres of loads of people all day and is a real star.
No question here just a report of one person's experience.
Stay well all.
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shornoff
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Doesn’t sound like the phlebotomist was very well protected for someone on front line al day?
Doesn’t sound like the seating arrangements were adequate for people in General let alone those shielding?
This doesn’t mean you will have contracted corona virus but it does sound like maybe next blood draw would be better taken somewhere else for your protection and to stop any anxiety this situation may have caused from being repeated?
Maybe your local GP practice could provide a less risky environment? It is well worth checking this out with them and your specialist when you speak.
My appointments, labs, etc. are at no charge to me. I know that there are some not so fortunate, but many of us in the US have good coverage. Shornoff, I hope that you will consider editing your comment! No system is perfect. Your comment is rude!
I have two hospital appointments coming up in next 4 weeks (GI consultation) and an ultrasound. I am going to postpone the Ultrasound and insist the GI consultation is done over the phone ( the latter already strongly advised by my CLL consultant) If they don't agree, I may have to consider not showing up. I am proceeding on the assumption that hospitals are not a safe places for me to go. Your experience hasn't exactly weakened my assumption!
I had a bad experience with an NHS phlebotomist back in mid-March who was wearing no PPE and laughed at my mask-very amusing.
Keep well and hope it is indeed a telephone appointment and it goes well. Antony
Yep, I too was made to feel a bit weird when I wore my Respirator and gloves into surgery before lock down. Not by doctor though. Oh well, I've now found a huge and comfortable pair swimming goggles we'd used in past for snorkeling over reefs. That'll be added to my outfit on next medical visit after shielding is cancelled.
I have my blood test today, shornoff, followed by a phone appointment next week.
I have my blood taken at the doctor's surgery (five miles away), instead of the local hospital (fifteen miles away). It works very well, and saves me hanging about waiting for the results before seeing the Consultant.
The surgery has assured me it will be OK (I have no mask), that they make the appointments ten minutes apart so you don’t bump into anyone else.
I do hope you can persuade your local GP practice to try this.
It may be because I live in a rural area so distances may be greater.
If you have to nag, then nag! We all need to look after our own health and the follow guidelines from the CLLSA.
I have a haematologist appt end of month along with blood tests. Special arrangements have been made for us to have bloods taken. There`s a Macmillan Unit right next to the entrance I have to use at the hospital so we go there for the moment...appt only. My appt is for 9.10 which means I will be able to get parked. Go in my own car.....no taxi no bus which is a relief. Telephone appt then with specialist........unless!
That sounds pretty stressful. I had bloods taken last week, I found a lump on my neck, everyone on this forum was incredibly supportive, which I was so grateful for. Anyway, I went to local GP, we don’t drive, so was glad that we could walk for appt (otherwise public transport ☹️). I was asked to go to a side door, where the only person I saw was the nurse who was taking my blood. She was head to toe in PPE, inc mask and visor, and she gave me hand gel and a mask. Was very very pleased with how seriously they took the situation, and I felt very safe. I have been asked to go to hospital for my first ct scan. Hhmm, thinking I may postpone. Stay safe and well 💜
If you tell your GP surgery that you are shielded, they may sanction a practice nurse to visit your home and take your blood. Mine has. The nurse will be in visor and full PPE and has agreed to take blood outside, or in garage if raining (!) so needn't come into house - which suits all concerned...…… Pls note the nurse is not a District Nurse but, effectively, a big favour from the local practice from people who do understand how vulnerable we are. My consultant will tell practice what blood is required.
Hi, I also have this worry. I'm due at clinic in a week, but I have been to my GP who took blood when surgery had finished. They opened the front door for me and I went straight to consulting room. We both wore double masks and it felt safe. However special treatment will be due to being post chemo. I am hoping the clinic will accept the blood results if there are no major issues and just do a telephone call. It will be stressful if I have to go 😕
Shronoff, thanks for sharing your experience, which is not good and shows how patchily the NHS is applying the rules.
In contrast, my GP surgery sends out a nurse to do a morning round of home visits to collect blood from shielding patients, then couriers the samples to the hospital lab around noon the same day. This is most weekdays, so it can be done a day or two ahead of any contingent hospital appointment. The nurse comes through the door in full protective kit.
The Royal Surrey County Hospital has a neat system for Haematology patients. You drive in your own car to the "back entrance" of the hospital on a Monday morning, the oncology nurses, in full PPE come out, you just turn in your seat enough for them to get to the vein, they take the blood and go. You drive off. Job done.
Hi I’m currently shielding but I went to my CLL clinic yesterday for my blood test (local NHS) there were approx 4 of us in the whole clinic. The nurse came out for me with gloves, apron, face mask and face shield on there was no one else in the room when I had my blood taken.
Then I sent home for my telephone appointment with my consultant. I felt very safe and good results from blood test still in remission 😷
Thanks you Newcastle Freeman Hospital for looking after me so well 😸😷
My husband is having a blood test today at the local hospital. I tried speaking to our local surgery to see if they would do it but they said they were only doing emergency blood tests. As my husband is on W&W and the appointment is routine, they referred me to the local hospital. When I booked the appointment, the receptionist assured me they have very stringent procedures in place. We will see.
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