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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parent being asked to attend the doctors

22 replies

louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:07

My dad is curently shielding (he's 73 has diabetes, little bit overweight/ex smoker and also had prostate cancer over a year ago) He's been called in to the docs for a PSA blood test (in relation to his previous diagnosis) Am I being unreasonable to be v worried about him going to the surgery at this time? I have asked him to see if he can reschedule but he said they had asked him to go in a month ago and they cancelled it due to covid 19 just kicking off. He is also one of those people who when he gets a docs appt come hell or high water he will not rearrange or cancel. Just to note, my mum is also shielding (copd) she called the docs as she suffers from seasonal migraines (they had previously prescribed a stronger painkiller) and they also asked her to come in..It wasn't till I reminded her that she'd have to get the bus etc...that she realised she shouldn't really go (thank goodness the migraines have now stoppped) They have assured him its one in one out at the surgery and he's very good with hygiene etc....I realise this PSA test is important given his previous history but i am still v worried about him going - would you push the point or let him go?

OP posts:
PinkiOcelot · 06/04/2020 22:09

I can understand your worry OP, but I think the majority of consultations are being done over the phone. I doubt there’ll be many people there at all.

Mollymalone123 · 06/04/2020 22:10

If he has already missed the psa test before then yes- he needs to go in.soeaking from experience it’s important not to keep putting them off.

Just reiterate washing hands etc

All the best

Cuddling57 · 06/04/2020 22:15

I know how you feel op.
My dm had to have a blood test in a London hospital last week. Doc and consultant told her she had to have it.
It's a hard question to answer and specific to each case but if they don't keep an eye on my dm with regular blood tests then she could become ill with something else. She can't put them off indefinitely.

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:16

Thank you, you're right it is important just feels like I want to keep all family and friends inside as much as possible!

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Dishwashersaurous · 06/04/2020 22:17

The doctors surgery itself will be really quiet and he cannot put the test off until this is all over

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:19

Yes any trips out for the older gen just fill me with dread, my sis in law is an a&e nurse so hear first hand how many more people are being admitted each day 😔

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Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:22

Thanks all for the reassurance, I've told him not to hang around he's walking there so no worries about public transport

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BringMeSunshineInMyLife · 06/04/2020 22:23

Has he/they received a shielding letter?

cudbywestrangers · 06/04/2020 22:26

I work in 2 gp practices and both are keeping the number of people attending to a minimum. Any suspected covid symptoms means you aren't allowed in and get diverted to nhs111. They will be doing everything to make attending as safe as possible for those people who do need to attend for medical care other than covid. other illnesses are not going to go away hat because there's a pandemic sadly so if symptom free on the day then have the blood test and think about transport there and back and hand hygiene to minimise the risk. It's not at all unreasonable to worry but medical tests are important

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:28

Yes he has, both of my parents have received the letter (they do not live together but regularly speak) my dad has been the difficult one to convince to stay in - was still nipping to the shop (he lives with his partner who does the shopping so no need for him to do so 🙄)

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Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:31

@cudbywestrangers I am happy to hear this, had visions of queues out the door. It is amazing how quickly everyone has adopted this new way of life

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PiggyPlumPie · 06/04/2020 22:32

I'm being shielded and had a blood test appointment this morning. I did phone to see if I should cancel but as it's an important test they told me to drive in and park up. Then the nurse came out to me and took the blood while I stayed in the car. Surreal experience.

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:33

Wow what a service! It is nuts to see how much has changed in a matter of weeks

OP posts:
autumnboys · 06/04/2020 22:38

DS (10) hurt himself yesterday and we had to take him to the GP today. She came out into the car park to examine him. He then needed an X-ray at the hospital, where he and DH saw two members of staff from a distance, once behind a screen, one behind a mask. They did all that and were home in less than an hour and the GP phoned us to confirm the scan results. They really are working hard to keep everywhere as empty as possible. I hope your parents both keep well, it must be very worrying to have them both in need of shielding. Flowers

TotesGodsWill · 06/04/2020 22:38

The surgery will have weighed up the risk of him attending vs the risk of not doing the test, and if they’re advising him to go then he should.

I appreciate it’s worrying but the surgery will be doing everything they can to protect staff and patients, and if they could avoid him having to go in then I’m sure they would.

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:43

@autumnboys oh goodness that must have been pretty scary hope you DS is ok? I just seem to go in waves with worrying about everything but always panic when it comes to the older gen. My parents are relatively well thank goodness, just want to keep them that way! Hope your DS is feeling better x

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BeginningBridge · 06/04/2020 22:45

I had a blood test last week. My surgery looked very different. The few chairs in the waiting room were at least 2m apart. No magazines or leaflets. It was fine - they had taken all reasonable precautions ( and I had to have the blood test).

Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:50

@TotesGodsWill thanks I realise this now, just with my mums experience was worried that they had 'missed' he was shielding. I think that if she hadn't called me to say they told her to come in she would have gone and I personally did not feel it warrented an in person visit. I do however appreciate they are aware of the risks and are screening unnecessary visits. I'll leave it to the professionals from now! NHS is doing a marvellous job to manage all this x

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Original poster
louisawhitegenius · 06/04/2020 22:52

@BeginningBridge that does sound so bizarre - my docs is usually teaming with bodies!

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Gatehouse77 · 06/04/2020 22:57

DH had a blood test at the GP last week.
They were manning the door with markings outside for where to stand. Once in they were observed washing their hands before entering the waiting room. (Fortunately, the loos are in a lobby area separated by double doors.
He was in and out in 10 minutes.

Might it be worth calling the surgery to allay your fears?

BeginningBridge · 06/04/2020 23:21

@louisawhitegenius

Yes it was very weird. There was only one other patient waiting. It reminded me of musical chairs after most of the chairs had been removed!

There used to be 8 chairs in the middle of the waiting area ( 2 rows of 4 chairs back to back). Last week there was just one chair in the middle.

ECBC · 06/04/2020 23:26

We had to take our baby to the GPs a few weeks ago. Their system was impressive. Everyone waiting in the car park in their car until they were called in one at a time. I realise it’s not ideal but if it’s important, they seem to be pretty on it.

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