Would you attend a non-emergency hospital appointment right now?

[EdinaMonsoon]

I'm trying to decide if IABU or not. I have a hospital appt next week and basically I'm concerned about the risk of corona. As a family, we have only left the house to exercise and the DC have both had a couple of socially distanced meet ups with friends. The appointment is for a currently undiagnosed issue which makes life difficult but not entirely impossible. WIBU to reschedule for a later date? Would a later date in fact be any safer?

YABU: just go, you'll be fine
YANBU: No. I would wait longer too.

[SueEllenMishke]

You'll be fine.
Wear a mask but don't bother with gloves....just wash hands before and and after and don't touch your face.

Unless you're going into a Corona ward the risk is no bigger than going to the supermarket. Probably less risk as people are being made to use masks abs sanitiser.

[Ragtime69]

I went in for fibroid embolization on Wednesday. Overnight stay. I would suggest actually now is a great time to go..there is so much emphasis on cleaning and masks your risk of catching anything at all is fairly low.

[helpmum2003]

It depends what the problem is and if you're prepared to delay any appointments for potentially up to a year or more. The virus will be around for a long time yet and others will also join the waiting list above you.
Remember lockdown was to delay the spread, we can't stop it.
Incidentally i work in the NHS and most staff haven't had it despite exposure. Maybe you are over estimating the risk?

[OutOfHours]

I have visited the hospital 4 times recently, 2 blood tests for me, 1 blood test for my son at a big London hospital and an injury at urgent care.

The hospitals have measures in place for covid, for an issue that makes life hard, go to the appointment, you will be fine, wear a face covering (hospitals are providing these) and use hand sani everywhere you can, wash your hands as much as possible, and avoid public transport if you can.

Good luck, hope you get a diagnosis and can move forward with recovery.

[DPotter]

Go.
Hospitals have got themselves set up to see patients -staff wearing masks, 'hot'/'cold' entrances - that sort of thing. Realistically we will have Covid precautions for months, if not years, so unless you're happy to forego hospital appointments and treatments until then and have a vaccination (which will require you to visit a GP surgery), you'll be stuck.

I just had a filling re-done at the dentists this week. Was very impressed by the set up. Trust me - health care settings have got this sorted and you'll be fine

[FurForksSake]

Husband went twice this week, 24hr trace fitting and then consultant and geneticist next day. Everyone wore masks and he and they were all very hot on hand sanitiser. They allowed him to delay it about a month but made it clear he needed to be seen.

[Reedwarbler]

I had a hospital appointment a few weeks ago and it was fine (and very quiet with few people about). You won't be in the same area as corona patients. Whatever you've got is better nipped in the bud now, surely?

[reenon]

I've had to stay in hospital over night and have also had an outpatient appointment. All was fine.

[DPotter]

Interesting HelpMum

DP is a HCP - out of 15 in his team, 8 have been tested and only one came back negative. Others are being tested later this week. All have had Covid symptoms

[bloodywhitecat]

I'd go, I have been to the local hospital half a dozen times over the last ten days, it's been fine.

[LatteLoverLovesLattes]

I have a couple of new issues I need to get seen, but I really don't want to go. I'm wondering though if now might be better than in a few months & I think it is, so might brave up to calling about an appointment next week.

But I really don't want to

[Milicentbystander72]

YABU. Yes I'd go in a shot.

In fact me and dd are going for an EEG year next week. It's taken us nearly 2 years to get to this point and only gave an appointment now due the hospital being quieter due to c19.

We are aren't going to COVID ward (in fact we're in the South West and I don't think there are any cases at the moment?). We have to wear ace coverings and use hand gel observe strict social distancing. Safer than a supermarket I reckon!

[Milicentbystander72]

Next year = next week!

[HeadSpin5]

It can depend on circumstances, but I prob would. I’m ‘medium risk’ due to meds I take (which basically means I need to take social distancing pretty seriously, but I’m not Clinically Vulnerable) and I had to go into a hospital last week for blood tests. Mask on, one way system, all fine.

[Bearfrills]

I had an outpatient appointment with one of the DC and it was fine. They had bus-stop style shelters outside the main door and we had to wash our hands before we went in then there was a "greeter" just inside who asked if we or anyone in our household had any Corona symptoms and then directed us to the relevant department as they were operating a one way system. All the staff were wearing masks and the consultant seeing DC masked up a few metres away from us so that DC could see him without the mask first to know that he was just a person underneath it. On the way out there was another handwashing station at the exit.

[Redolent]

Absolutely would go. Cases are low now and the NHS is trying to catch up. Wait a few month and winter will be hitting along with the inevitable rise in cases

[VickyEadieofThigh]

My partner went to an ENT consultant appointment only this morning (and we've been isolating as if very vulnerable, which we're officially not, but we're absolutely paranoid) - apart from going to the pharmacy twice, this is the first time she's been inside another building since lockdown.

She said it was great - and she turned up 45 mins early and he was able to see her right away!

Go - as others have said, this thing is going to be around for a long time.

[tinytemper66]

Of course Iwould. Just use masks and usual handwashing. Hope you get it sorted.

[user1493413286]

Unless any of your family are vulnerable then I’d go

[EdinaMonsoon]

Thanks for responding. Definitely giving me a broader view. Interesting point about it being potentially safer now than in a few months.

[EdinaMonsoon]

@VickyEadieofThigh That’s exactly our position: ie none of us are “vulnerable” but we haven’t even been to a supermarket since before lockdown!

[MrsClatterbuck]

Dh has been for 2 scans within a week of each other. It was fine. Plus my DM has had 2 spells in hospital and I had to leave stuff and collect washing from the ward. Just wore a mask and used sanitiser. It was all ok. A much safer place than a supermarket I reckon.

[Gogogadgetarms]

Both my children have had telephone consultations during lockdown with the face to face appointments cancelled. One needs a blood test (she has regularly for an ongoing condition). We’ve been sent the paperwork through the post and told to wait until the situation is safer before attending in person for it. I’ll probably wait until August/September time.

[peakygal]

I had one Monday and I was pretty nervous about taking a risk but I work a mask, brought sanitizer and washed my hands. I was in and out but that's here in Ireland. Was very surprised to see only staff wearing masks and patients not

[LtJudyHopps]

I would absolutely go. My mums MS appointment has already been cancelled for August which is annoying. She’s been going to the hospital near enough weekly anyway to see the oncology nurse, been for blood tests and scans. She’s been to the doctors a few times for an injection. She’s been absolutely fine and is in the shielding group. Hospitals and medical places are being beyond careful.