Being told to wait to start treatment because I'm a nurse

[Daxie24]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to see if anyone else is in the same boat.

My clinic rang me to say I can start treatment again. When I informed her that I am a nurse she said I should defer another couple of months. I work community base and my manager has been understanding. We only have a couple of patients who are covid positive and if needed once starting treatment I would be classed at risk and my other colleagues could see them. I explained this to the clinic but she still insisted that I hold off and it was to protect myself aswell as not to put other patients and memebers of staff at the clinic at risk if I was to meet them! I asked what are they doing with patients who work in the supermarket as they are also coming in to contact with lots of people however I didnt really get an answer. Obviously I want it to be safe and to have the best possible chance but I feel covid isn't going away any time soon and I'm still going to be in the same boat in 2 months time.

[Chel91]

So sorry you had to deal with that! I know these are difficult times, but they can't really discriminate against you because of your job! That's terrible. I would just call back and say you decided to take long term leave from your job and you want treatment asap because it's that important to you. It's not actually any of their business. Was it a doctor or manager you spoke to or just a receptionist? I would go further if needed. Best of luck lovely xx

[Daxie24 in reply to Chel91]

I know felt like she was scared to have me in the clinic as I would put everyone else at risk! I think it was a nurse who I was speaking to! I think I'm going to call again and speak to someone else

[ttcemmie]

I agree with Chel. Your job isn't relevant - people can pick up covid (or other illnesses for that matter) anywhere. Definitely understand they need to protect the staff and patients, but this feels wrong refusing you simply because you're a nurse. They have nurses working there for goodness sake! Are they going to stop all of their medical staff from coming to work? My clinic said they're probably going to get every client to take a coronavirus test (at our cost of course) before being allowed to start treatment. Maybe recommend that to help them feel safer? That or backtrack on telling them about being a nurse! Agree - "take" long term leave.

[Daxie24 in reply to ttcemmie]

They said my husband and I have to do swabs on day 21-22 of my prep month and if it was positive to stop again. However I felt like she was suggesting why take the risk of starting again. She has left it that I call up the clinic with my decision on day one of my next cycle however she was encouraging me to defer and now I dont know what to do!!

[ttcemmie in reply to Daxie24]

Go ahead with your treatment if that's what you want. Don't let anyone put you off. xxx

[Hope04]

I’m a midwife and my clinic are fully aware of that and are happy for me to start treatment at the end of the month.

They have offered either the antibody or antigen test before I commence because I’m a frontline healthcare worker but even that is not essential.

I hope you can take this further as it sounds ridiculous to delay treatment because you’re a nurse!

Xx

[Daxie24 in reply to Hope04]

O this sounds encouraging! Glad your clinic have given you go ahead. I think I'm going to call and speak to someone else.

[Hope04 in reply to Daxie24]

Yeah definitely speak to someone else.

Good luck!

[BetsyBo]

That is totally shocking! I feel really angry for you as that’s completely unfair.

I really don’t think they can discriminate based on your occupation!

[Italy300618]

That is so unfair! I would definitely say you're taking some leave from work, so you can move forward. Like you say its going to be the same for you now or in 2 months xx

[Cdwen]

That is disgraceful, frankly. You must contest it. I also suggest writing to HFEA! So sorry you are going through this, you point about other essential workers is so true too xx

[Ketkoot]

I am frontline NHS as is my partner. I am having a video consultation on Monday with my clinic but if they told us that I would not be impressed! I completely agree with others, I feel less protected doing my weekly shop than I do on the hospital wards.

I would complain to a manager in the clinic. We are all trying to do our best at the moment in the NHS and to reprimanded for that is shocking!

[Daxie24 in reply to Ketkoot]

Good luck for Monday!

I know I think I'm more upset that she suggested I would put others at risk if I visited the clinic!

I'm going to call and speak to someone else as I feel it was just that one nurses opinion not the clinic!