Not to take my dd to this hospital appointment tomorrow?

[Joywillcomeagain]

I'm really conflicted my dd has an appointment tomorrow at the hospital to see an orthotics specialist to refit her Pedro boots (first pair were too small when we picked them up).
I know the boots will really help her she has developmental gross motor delays and only started waking a month ago and shes 2.5 years. But I feel like it's very risky to go to a hospital right now in case we expose ourselves to covid 19. When she gets ill it always goes to her chest and it takes her ages to fight just a cold off. Illness always makes her muscle problems worse and she doesn't regain strength for over a week sometimes after an illness.

When they sorted the last pair for us all the appointment was was the specialist measuring her feet length and width ways. I could do this at home she just tell them the measurements without putting us at risk at all. I've been calling the hospital to see if I can speak to someone to suggest this but no one answers.
Aibu not to go to this appointment tomorrow to minimise our exposure to this illness? Or am I being over cautious and putting my dd's development at risk?

YABU for not cancelling the appointment with notice so they could give it to someone else.

Also, YABU as Covid patients won't be in that part of the hospital and you are unlikely to come into contact with anyone who knowingly has it.

YANBU for seeing that this appointment is one which your DD would benefit from to help her health.

Up to you what you decide to do, and I'm actually quite surprised that non-urgent non-emergency appointments are going ahead... Round where I am absolutely everything has been cancelled!

For gross motor delays the pedro boots are often considered urgent because if not done in time can lead to permanent problems. You absolutely should go. Shove a rain cover over her pram to protect her if you must.

Is the UK really allowing this??? In Ireland all outpatient appointments are cancelled

Go. If you don’t go tomorrow you don’t know when you might get another appointment and 6-12 months is a long time for a 2.5 yers old’s development.

You should go. If you wanted to cancel you should have left them time to give the appointment to another patient.

Outpatients appointments are all cancelled around here.

How will you get to the appointment? I would be more worried about public transport than the actual hospital.

If you are able to drive or walk there then I think I would go. The orthotics department would be in a separate area of the hospital than any coronavirus patients and they will be very careful about infection control.

Attended a hospital appointment today - let them know when arrived and were asked to wait in the car. Rang us back as previous family left so we could go in. Children's outpatients department no where near a&e or inpatient wards. Car park barriers up so no need even to touch payment machines. All extremely well managed and minimal risk. If I were you I would definitely go to the appointment.

I agree that if you're not going to attend the appointment, then you should have let the hospital have enough notice to offer it to someone else, but since that's not an option, I think you should go.

I suffer from several serious health conditions and it's only 9 weeks since I was in ITU with pneumonia, so am still having to attend weekly hospital appointments and have been taking the following precautions (along with the usual social distancing guidelines):

• Wear a mask, or use a scarf *If possible, drive to the hospital rather than taking public transport or walking, to avoid other people as much as possible - my hospital have suspended parking charges, but if you do have to pay for parking, use the mobile app rather than touching the buttons on the 'Pay & Display' machine. *Wear gloves (disposable or normal woolen) *Call ahead and ask what their process is. i.e. Is there a separate room for each patient? Do they ask patients to wait outside until they are called? etc. *When you get home wash hands thoroughly and change clothes

In your case, I would talk to your daughter beforehand and explain that apart from the Dr or Nurses who'll be dealing with her, you need to stay as far away from other people as possible - you could even make it a game for her if that works for you guys.

In order to help your daughter to avoid touching things, I would dress her in something with accessible pockets and insist that she keeps her (gloved) hands in them until you tell her she can take them out. You could give her a coin to keep in each pocket to help remind her.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you both - I'd certainly incentivize following the 'rules' with some sort of treat once you're safely home - for both of you!

I thought non urgent appointments were Cancelled ?
They are here in London .

The OP’s been calling the hospital and no-one’s been answering, so how could she have cancelled the appointment? I would take precautions and go OP, as others have said it could be many months before you get another appointment

If she hasn’t received a letter to reschedule the appointment then she should attend .

I think I would go because it sounds like it is crucial for her long term development. I totally see why you are worried, though. Keep DD in a buggy and use lots of hand sanitiser.

Hospitals are empty at the moment so the risk is minimal. No random patients and hospitals on high alert for infection control. Probably safer now than when it's swarming with people and hospitals aren't as on it in terms of cleaning, protective measures. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. You'll be fine.

You should go.

Drive if possible. Wash hands or use sanitiser before leaving and on arrival at hospital and vice versa on the way out.
Change your clothes when you get home.

If the appointment has not been cancelled, I would think it is considered pretty fundamental you attend. I would go and take the precautions suggested.

I am sorry you cannot get a response to your call.
i feel the appointment has not been cancelled by the hospital so that should be reason to be confident, after all, they dont want to risk their lives either.
they would cancel if they felt the appointment could be delayed.

I’ve been to my hospital appointments even though I found it nerve-wracking at first. However, whatever hospital you’re going to will have rigorous protocols in place to separate COVID-19 patients - potential or otherwise - from others. This reassured me greatly and will help you. It sounds important for your DD not to miss this appointment, so do go.

Thanks everyone for the replies. We'll go and hopefully we'll be fine. I was tying myself in knots and just needed some outside advice!!

Rain cover over the pushchair is a great idea will definitely do that. I'm going to wear a mask and we're going to be undressing in the garden and showering as soon as we're home.

Weird thing is we had an appointment on 9th March that was cancelled due to the virus so it feels weird we have one now it's even worse! Perhaps the person we were seeing was off isolating.

As a mum who's been in your place, I would go. There is a very very long wait to get orthotics and appointments now, and depending on the trust, it may be the end of the year before you get another one. Having orthotics from the point of walking is very crucial in their physical development as balance, correct walking posture, and correct step formation will make it easier to learn other movements.
Frankly, I'm surprised you wasn't given them at 18 months before she was even walking like most of the delayed kids I know. But the gist is, go to the appointment.

Are you in the global development delay group on Facebook?

hospitals are getting very good at having Covid19 and non-Covid19 areas and no mixing between the two. your appointment will be in the non-CV19 area and should be safe enough, with all the precautions as per above.

Definitely go, all appointments have been reviewed by consultants and only the ones deemed necessary still stand, so you're daughter is considered to need the appt definitely still attend

Just to update everyone we went and it was pretty empty and we were fine. Glad we did it. Thanks for the advice everyone

Glad to hear