Am I ok to go to see the consultant at hospital in the current climate

[Dcctrains]

I have had PMR for just over 20 years and however hard I try I cannot get below 5mg. At this level I also need DEPOMedrone injections every 3 months. All this means that in the current climate I have been deemed „extremely vulnerable“. I now need a DEPOSIT as I am flaring, but I am scared of going to see the consultant, just in case I come into contact with the virus. Any suggestions please?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

In you’re in England, all outpatients - along with staff they may encounter are required to wear face masks. So it probably depends more on how you are going to get to there rather than the hospital environment itself.

That’s always assuming you are actually allowed to venture outdoors.

[jinasc]

I was at my local hospital yesterday. Met at the door by a St John's ambulance volunteer. Every entrance has a doorkeeper. He asked who was the appt with.............he noted I had a mask. I had but someone told me if you take a scarf to cover your mouth and nose. Some hospitals give you a mask if they can.

He took me into the reception place and the seats are marked where you can sit.........well apart.

Then a nurse will come and take your temperature and ask if you have a cough etc.

Then take you to sanitise your hands.

At no time was I near anyone who was not a nurse or medic.

The entrance was one way, the exit another.

There is no need for anyone to be scared of going to hospital - you are probably safer there than anywhere else.

Now getting there is problematic, but I was taken by a close friend who had a mask. I sat in the back of the car - not behind the driver, she also had a mask. No-one who accompanies you is allowed past the entrance. They waited in the car park, which had plenty of spaces.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Believe me, the medical staff are no more keen for you to catch it than you are!

They have "hot" and "cold" areas within the hospital. The "hot" areas are sealed off. Ours checks temperature, asks questions, provides you with a mask and hand cleanser as you enter through a sort of "lock" arrangement and you can only go in for a specific timed appointment, if you are very early they ask you to wait.. You may take one person with you if you need to. Seats are marked or spaced out so you are at least 1m away from anyone else. There are so few people there that it is easy to avoid others.

[piglette]

I went to quite a large hospital last week and it was like the Marie Celeste. The receptionist at the main desk was surrounded by black and yellow tape and fence things. The really good thing was that there was lots of parking places while normally it is impossible to get a place. A friend went to a different hospital’s A&E for a broken wrist and he was the only one there. I think you will find it pretty empty and everybody will avoid you like the plague! !

[maria40 in reply to piglette]

Only last week was a government announcement made that ALL hospital staff must wear masks. A friend had been disconcerted when going for an x-ray at our local hospital to see that porters and other non-clinical staff were not masked but this was a few days before the announcement so I hope all is now corrected. Unfortunately, I was worried by what my friend had seen and cancelled my x-ray appointments which were a few days hence - wish I had waited now as the appointment slips have been sent back to consultant. But I have been shielding for so long now and transport was also a problem I just felt it was too much of a risk as I have been taking pred for 20 years and have recently had to increase my dose to 12.5 mg.

[MrsNails in reply to maria40]

I had my Breast Cancer Review with the Consultant on the Telephone on Friday, far from ideal but l’ve yet to have my Mammogram but l’m not pushing for that at the moment.....

I’m on the list for an Angiogram & l found that Telephone Consultation very good except she had No Idea l was Shielding or what Meds l was on; l also have to have a Kidney/CT Scan but again l’m really not in that much of a hurry as they all involve close contact with Health Professionals.

I’m writing to my Rheumatologist in advance of my next appointment & even though that is at an Specialist Orthopaedic Hospital, l’m still not keen on going & am going to ask for a Telephone Consultation.

It may be OTT but l feel caution is still very important at this time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MrsNails]

I don't think it is OTT in the UK! At least half of cases of Covid are assymptomatic - and they are unlikely to wear face coverings unless it is compulsory! Have you seen my post?

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the reassurance as sometimes l think it’s Just Me being Me!

Which Post are you referring to? x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MrsNails]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks x

[Ranchero in reply to MrsNails]

Not OTT at all. ‘It’s’ still very much out there and the contagion element is just as high as it was.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ranchero]

Higher - with the relaxations people are getting blase.

[Ranchero in reply to PMRpro]

Couldn’t agree more!

[Dcctrains]

Thank you all for your comments and observations. I think I will have to go to see my consultant for a DEPO as I now have trouble even getting off the bed

[Dcctrains in reply to Dcctrains]

Did you get a DEPO and if so did it work?