Mask shamed (disability), complain? (Some TMI)

[Maskwoes]

I've NCed for this thread as I expect the details I share will make the case highly identifiable. MNHQ can confirm I'm a member of some years.

I have several disabilities, physical and psychological. I am unable to wear a face mask because I have PTSD from sexual trauma as a young teen. I'm sorry for TMI but it's relevant to the case - I was raped and penetrated in my mouth too. Due to this nothing can cover my mouth, it's an instant panic attack.

I had to attend a hospital yesterday - minor injuries unit. I approached to book in and was instantly ordered to put on a mask, one was offered, to which I replied I was unable to do so due to a mental health condition. She fetched a nurse who asked why I was refusing to wear one, and that if I did not then I would be removed from the unit. This area is very open and very public, with other patients being seen at the side of me.

I was becoming extremely anxious at this point and explained that I have PTSD. They wanted details. I was essentially railroaded into detailing what happened as a teen. I was told to wait and then taken into a room with a doctor and another nurse. I again had to explain in detail my PTSD. I was then offered a visor type mask which I found very claustrophobic and in all honesty unbearable.

I was then triaged, assessed and treated. In total I explained everything three times, had an hour-long major panic attack in the car afterwards and have been very on edge, upset, and on the edge of more panic attacks. I had two more overnight and haven't slept, am very upset.

I'm extremely pissed off in truth and am wondering whether I should complain, through which channels, how far to push and what the outcome would likely be.

I'm posting this in AIBU as I want the brutally honest views!

Thank you for reading.

Get a blanket medical exemption letter to carry at all times and this will solve all future issues.
It’s the same as anyone else who needs a medical exemption for anything - or a medical explanation to help them out of difficult or dangerous circumstances - eg severe allergies wearing a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or medic alert tattoo so that if they are found unconscious or cannot communicate, the first aiders/ paramedic can get the information they need, or someone with autism or other neurological difference carrying a card to present to police to explain why they are unable to answer questions/ are behaving untypically.
Yes, ideally the NHS would have set up a route to acquire these exemptions for people eligible, but this is a new and developing scenario, and I doubt they were expecting the hordes of refusers (who in the way they kick off may well resemble someone suffering from ptsd/ anxiety disorder/ other medically explainable reaction).
And yes, calling ahead is the least you can do as it means you can ask what you need to do in order to arrive safely and not endanger others.

I haven't read the full thread so I apologise if this has been covered by someone else.
The nhs requirement for all staff and hospital visitors to wear a mask is not the same bit of legislation as the one for shops/public transport etc which makes it somewhat confusing. (Our governments speciality subject - confusing the public)
The exemption list for it is not as extensive as the shops one, in fact it's quite limited and generally requires you to wear a visor if you can't wear a mask and the requirement is for all visitors & staff. Each nhs trust has specific rules which they are allowed to set (and are generally on their website) but basically if you are in a public or shared space within an nhs site you need to be wearing a mask.
The OP has not been dealt with sensitively and that in itself is worth bringing up with the PALs team so that the issue can be brought up with staff so in future they can be much more careful and understanding.
However you must be careful when you start running down the road shouting disability discrimination lawsuit. Why do you want to sue? What is your intended outcome?
If you want them to address their way of doing things & get an apology then why not make a formal complaint - write to PALs copy in the Chief Executive of the trust and ask for a response addressing your concerns. It will cost you nothing bar the time it takes you to write the letter. If you want to take it to a wider audience address the discrepancy & confusing nature of the legislation copy in your MP.
Suing for a one off incident is rarely worth it, can be stressful, upsetting and expensive as well as achieving little more than a complaint and a request to make changes would already do.
I would write a letter, leave it overnight and then check you are happy you have said everything you have wanted to say, ask what they are going to do about it and give them an idea of what you think should be the outcome of your complaint (apology, change in procedures, training for staff) and ask them to respond. Leaving a letter overnight often helps form your thoughts and also allows you to pick up errors or omissions.

[quote Howyiz]@runbummyrun and does that change anything I said?[/quote]
True,it doesn't, but it shows you up for not having read the thread, or at least the OP's posts.

It's not a laundry thread, the least anyone can do is read an OP's posts.

@m0therofdragons

For staff in our hospital we have to either wear a mask or a visor for those who medically can’t wear a mask. Wearing nothing isn’t an option because the risk of infection to others is too great. The exemptions aren’t quite the same as a supermarket. In a hospital there are many very poorly people (unlike a shop where most people at risk with cancer for example would choose not to go).

I too went through a situation very similar to what you went through and mask wearing has never triggered anything because it’s totally different so it’s unfair to assume looking at your medical history they would know you can’t wear a mask. You do need to take responsibility - you feel unable to wear a mask so you need to find an alternative such as a visor.

Imagine entering a hospital with your child having chemo and finding people not wearing a mask and the impact that would have on others. I’m not trying to be unkind but you don’t seem willing to consider other options.

I'm sorry for your experience.

I don't know, honestly, what I can do, I caved in to a visor due to railroading but the simple fact is that both a mask, or a visor, provoke a rise in anxiety and panic attack. I can't even wear a scarf.

Fuck.

My son underwent emergency surgery as a young child, he was in hospital for three weeks and things were ropey.

The only option that'd work is simply not leaving the house.

@Chinnyreckon123

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Maybe if a completely innocuous post by a particular poster causes you to overthink things to this level you ought to avoid posts by that person.

Wow, there's some nasty responses on here.

I think the situation was really badly handled by the staff you encountered. You should definitely complain. There will be plenty of people entering that hospital that have encountered traumas in their past, and whether a mask is a trigger, or something else, the staff should be trained in dealing with the matter sensitively and professionally.

Unfortunately, covid-19 seems to have turned some people into the bloody Stasi. Heightened by the introduction of the mask rule.

And as usual, we have unconsciously conditioned women leaping to his fucking aid. Many of whom who have suffered themselves

No. It is a case of fair minded and tolerant people supporting someone who was treated unfairly.

OP I am so sorry for what you went through yesterday and don't be e,optionally blackmailed into not pursuing this further through this insane idea that some people have that the NHS cannot be criticised or do anything wrong. It can. You are in your rights to complain, to sue them, to make them accountable.

This entire situation with medically exempt people being harassed and accused of faking will only lead to one thing - someone dying because they feel that they are not able to ask for, or receive, medical care because they can't wear a mask.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

I wouldn't want to get overworked and underpaid staff into trouble so I wouldn't have made it official.

It’s not about getting people into trouble. It’s about ensuring HCP have and follow appropriate training in respect of mask exemptions because otherwise exempt people may be unable to access medical care, or other services they are entitled to.

Latest data suggest non-covid deaths due to lockdown will exceed deaths from covid itself making it even more important that un-necessary barriers are not put in the way of people needing medical attention.

I have no agenda to see a staff member disciplined, or fired, I do think they seriously lacked respect and empathy and that will be in any complaint. I have two aims here, money invested into the department to ensure this isn't allowed to happen, and any relevant training related to both it and staff communication skills.

@IncrediblySadToo I have read the thread. The OP's newest posts hadn't refreshed in the app at the time of my reply!
Hope that's OK with you!

This entire situation with medically exempt people being harassed and accused of faking will only lead to one thing - someone dying because they feel that they are not able to ask for, or receive, medical care because they can't wear a mask.

Equally though you might get people staying away because they are scared of catching it if people aren't wearing masks, particularly if they're very vulnerable.

It’s not about getting people into trouble. It’s about ensuring HCP have and follow appropriate training in respect of mask exemptions because otherwise exempt people may be unable to access medical care, or other services they are entitled to.

This. It's also about establishing protocol and measures being put in place for staff to deal with it properly and safely.

Even training is pointless if there are no measures put in place or clear guidance of what to do .

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

This entire situation with medically exempt people being harassed and accused of faking will only lead to one thing - someone dying because they feel that they are not able to ask for, or receive, medical care because they can't wear a mask.

Equally though you might get people staying away because they are scared of catching it if people aren't wearing masks, particularly if they're very vulnerable.

Which is exactly what happened during the first weeks of lockdown with people avoiding A&E.

@Maskwoes

I have no agenda to see a staff member disciplined, or fired, I do think they seriously lacked respect and empathy and that will be in any complaint. I have two aims here, money invested into the department to ensure this isn't allowed to happen, and any relevant training related to both it and staff communication skills.

There is a lack of money at the moment. Due to the global pandemic, I think the limited funds that are available should go on PPE rather that new training for something that doesn’t affect the majority of people.

Perhaps there could be additional therapy for you, and a letter from your psychiatrist to avoid you having to explain and relive painful memories.

The nhs requirement for all staff and hospital visitors to wear a mask is not the same bit of legislation as the one for shops/public transport etc which makes it somewhat confusing. (Our governments speciality subject - confusing the public)
The exemption list for it is not as extensive as the shops one, in fact it's quite limited and generally requires you to wear a visor if you can't wear a mask and the requirement is for all visitors & staff. Each nhs trust has specific rules which they are allowed to set (and are generally on their website) but basically if you are in a public or shared space within an nhs site you need to be wearing a mask.
The OP has not been dealt with sensitively and that in itself is worth bringing up with the PALs team so that the issue can be brought up with staff so in future they can be much more careful and understanding

This.

To the people who said she should have called ahead or wrote a letter it was a minor injuries unit. Really dont think they would answer the phone TBH and what give noticebthat she is going to have an minor injury.....give me strength.
OP they treated you like shit. Complain away.

Haven't read the full thread but absolutely nobody should be forced to explain themselves as to why they are not wearing a mask. Your medical history is private. I'm glad you're taking it further. Unfortunately mumsnet is plagued by the fucking mask police at the moment who don't deem mental illness a good enough reason not to wear one. Demanding to know the details of someone's disability is discrimination.

@IndecentFeminist

*The nhs requirement for all staff and hospital visitors to wear a mask is not the same bit of legislation as the one for shops/public transport etc which makes it somewhat confusing. (Our governments speciality subject - confusing the public) The exemption list for it is not as extensive as the shops one, in fact it's quite limited and generally requires you to wear a visor if you can't wear a mask and the requirement is for all visitors & staff. Each nhs trust has specific rules which they are allowed to set (and are generally on their website) but basically if you are in a public or shared space within an nhs site you need to be wearing a mask. The OP has not been dealt with sensitively and that in itself is worth bringing up with the PALs team so that the issue can be brought up with staff so in future they can be much more careful and understanding*

This.

Could we get a link to the differing information please?

@ShesMadeATwatOfMePam

Haven't read the full thread but absolutely nobody should be forced to explain themselves as to why they are not wearing a mask. Your medical history is private. I'm glad you're taking it further. Unfortunately mumsnet is plagued by the fucking mask police at the moment who don't deem mental illness a good enough reason not to wear one. Demanding to know the details of someone's disability is discrimination.

This ^

There's no question you were treated appallingly, op.
Do what feels right for you and give it both barrels.

@Maskwoes
Might be this:

www.gov.uk/government/news/face-masks-and-coverings-to-be-worn-by-all-nhs-hospital-staff-and-visitors

Just to be clear, the above link was advice before the latest legislation.

@piscean10

I'm sorry op, but it was your responsibility to make sure before hand that they were aware and make provisions for you. Everyone knows that you absolutely must ensure safety in a medical setting. To the people sitting around you, I'm sure they were concerned about their own safety first. They could have handled it better by taking you aside once you mentioned that you have MH issues. But I do think you could have avoided this beforehand.

Bollox. OP you did nothing wrong. The way you were treated is a disgrace. Please do complain.

@ShesMadeATwatOfMePam

Haven't read the full thread but absolutely nobody should be forced to explain themselves as to why they are not wearing a mask. Your medical history is private. I'm glad you're taking it further. Unfortunately mumsnet is plagued by the fucking mask police at the moment who don't deem mental illness a good enough reason not to wear one. Demanding to know the details of someone's disability is discrimination.

This