Bloods delay re Covid 19

[Vindicatrix]

I have recently had a telephone consultation with my Haemotologist, following a cancellation letter for my usual 4 monthly one. In 5 minutes she assessed that I was fine for another four months, no reference to Bloods, or physical examination. She said that she did'nt want me to attend the Hospital re the danger of contracting Coronavirus. I contacted my GP who concurred with the Haemotologist, and did not want me to attend the GP surgery for the same reasons it seems. The result is that my bloods will not have been checked for 8 months, nor will I be physically examined. Should I accept this, or ask for a Private blood test, if that is possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Ron

[AussieNeil Partner Founder Admin]

Hi Ron,

You were stage A with a WBC count barely above the normal range 2 years ago. Your Haemotologist would have looked at your trend up to your last blood test before saying you were fine for another four months, so I would expect her advice to be sound. My specialists have always provided me with blood test forms to use on a recommended schedule that is revisited each consultation and I've always been encouraged to arrange an additional blood test if I become ill. Obviously that approach needs to be modified for each of us on both a personal basis and based on the risk of being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One place where I had a blood test hadn't seen a COVID-19 case in 8 weeks, but I wasn't admitted to the pathology lab waiting room (with only one patient allowed at a time), until I'd first had my temperature checked. At another city, where I'm attending my trial, the door checking ceased 3 weeks ago, yet there were more recent COVID-19 cases.

Neil