I always thought those of us with RA on medication are classed as immunosuppressed
I went to my routine blood test at Mile End today in London. The normally calm area that is used by rheumatology patients was rammed with all manner of youngsters - mainly men in their 20s. I had to wait over 1 hour for my test.
The youngsters were using the Rheumatology blood test clinic as part of their TB etc screen programme being recent arrivals.
I could say a lot politically but none the more for that - it’s made me feel unsafe. What’s the point of listening to Drs when am being exposed to whatever.
Rant over.
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TheBoys
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Good luck being immunosuppressed means nothing if it costs money. We are sharing a clinic room with the chest room . Reduced appts one day us the other them . Air con beween cleaned in between. NOT!!
On the whole I would think that the screening is a precaution and so they are not likely TB positive. However, wherever you go have blood taken, you'll be around sick and potentially infectious people. I found out when our clinic is quieter and go then but I still always take a mask and use it if I feel that I can't socially distance enough or someone appears to be infected. I am also a great believer in using hand gel in these places.
Yes I agree there are people from every morning clinic if I go mid am so I go lunch time quieter you can't single one group out not you personally but people are there cos they are ill.
It’s the same here lots of young men with one minder. Mobile phones attached to an ear and queue jumping chest X-ray and blood tests. I’m not prejudice but odd how cigarettes and phones don’t get lost but passports do. I’m sure most are negative and I’m glad they are checked before being housed but all the same it is unfair. I object to having prisoners queue jump too as the officers can’t be away too long. Sorry but no one should queue jump unless it’s a medical emergency. And blood tests simply aren’t. I hope the situation can be made better and fairer for everyone.
I know it’s probably not very charitable but I’ve often wondered how they lose their passports but still have their phones.
Oh prisoners! I’ll never forget the first time I came across a prisoner handcuffed to two policemen when I was walking through our local hospital.
Since then I’ve discovered it is quite common to see them. The funniest one was when I was going the dental clinic. I walked up the stairs and came face to face with two prison officers and a prisoner. Things were getting slightly heated but I said ‘Excuse me’ and stepped round them. Then someone sitting near the door of the waiting area said ‘That’s the police arrived’.
When I left I had to step round the prisoner and the person he was handcuffed to both sitting on the ground! While the second prison offer and two policemen leaned on the window ledge talking.
There was one in A&E when I broke my wrist and another two attending the GP clinic when I fractured my sacrum. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with that pair, they shouted to each other from one end of the waiting area to the other and one of them kicked up a fuss because he wanted to smoke, he had two police with him but the older one stood out in the car park while all that was going on! I suspect if they say they feel ill the police have to take them to hospital whether they are or not. I suspect they are allowed to jump the queue to get rid of them so in a way it probably benefits the other users,
When I was in hospital with the AKI I walked out the loo with my drip straight into my son’s best friend. Another police officer who then visited me to scoff all my sweets. He was on duty with a drug addict handcuffed to wait until the drugs reappeared. She screamed all night, and kept everyone up it ways awful. I try to be charitable but it put a loo out of action for deep cleaning and took several changes of two officers to keep her from absconding. I know it’s really difficult these days but the cost to the NHS must be huge and I don’t know what the answer is but being law abiding doesn’t seem to help us at all. I know it’s a difficult world for a lot of people, but resources seem to be abused so easily. On going to France a couple of weeks ago it was like getting into a fortress. An hour queue and car searched at Caen. In and out! I just hope that the abuse of the welfare state and the NHS is curtailed to benefit those in need.
My husbands a retired police office and you are correct in your assumptions, if prisoners so much as say they have a headache they are accompanied to hospital and whizzed in ahead of ill people. The theory is that the one they don’t take seriously……. prisoners know this so cry wolf all the time. It’s the same with needing interpreters etc etc…. It’s a route cause if the despondency in policing as officers want to be out in the streets preventing criminal behaviour not acting as stand in social workers.
I went to Mile End yesterday afternoon for bloods and it was very quiet - 3 other people waiting. Was this in the morning? I’ve been going every two weeks, trying different times and afternoon definitely quietest. Although it’s walk in, if you pre book your test via Swift queue when you arrive you go top of the list for next appointment. I was in and out in 10 mins.
I think that is a general blood clinic not exclusively for rheumatology patients, but it is in the rheumatology area, which is poor hospital design. Plus they’ve locked the door to outside which I used to wait outside if busy.
It’s still much safer than my local trust where I have to go to busy GP surgeries. Also I had my full results online within 4 hours. In my local area it takes 4 days+!
Agree. At least all the nurses have been wearing masks for last 6 weeks. Not before. I always wear fpp3 mask before I enter hospital and do not remove until back outside. Plus the usual Envoid nasal spray and Dentyl mouthwash.
I don't think I'd be feeling easy either Might be an idea when going to hospital appointments to have a mask with you and pop it in. Not 100% I know but it might make you feel easier.
I agree. It’s only a small space there with about twelve seats. Normally you’d be in and out or doing a test waiting for the nurse/dr. Bit yesterday was there for an hour. I just felt they should manage any risk or perception of risk better.
That doesn’t sound good. The hospital I go to for rheumatology has a drive through blood test facility and quite a few rheumatology patients use that. Apart from being able to keep distance from others it also saves the hassle of parking! They do have a blood test room in the rheumatology clinic itself which is just for rheumatology patients.
Can't understand the relevence of the age and sex of the other people waiting in the blood place. Have you got a problem with young men?
We all take risks every day when we come into contact with people. If you feel unsafe, wear a mask. It's a basic piece of PPE.
Your post has now started other people spouting unfair comments directed at young people.
I am a young male with RA. Should I have to go to a special place to get my bloods done because you can't wear a mask? Have you got more right to see a rheumatologist than I do?
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Well i am not surprised
I am assuming this is a flare?
Hello! I am new to this site.
Am i of the weaker sex?
Am I in the right place
