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.

Dreadful, just dreadful.
I hope you're ok

@Maskwoes

I've received an email from the Senior Nurse Consultant and, frankly, it smacks of disingenuousness at best and victim blaming at worst. I'm now escalating to Trust level and am seriously considering legal action if the stance remains the same. Simply not good enough.

I'm looking forward to being told to "f--- off with your bullsh-t" as you've said to pp @Maskwoes (for someone who has come on to detail a wrong against you, you're extremely aggressive and rude) but here's my viewpoint...

The NHS is not a bespoke tailored service that has a retinal scan for each patient that comes in, that immediately identifies key words and precious traumas, and links those to current requirements.

It's a hodgepodge of layered IT systems, staff under extreme pressure and in fear for their lives, people who are trying their best to protect themselves and ALL patients.

You had a right to be understood and listened to, but you didn't have a right to clairvoyance or mind reading.

It is incumbent on you to start with your GP and ensure your medical records are 100% clear and stating any exemptions, so that hospital staff can quickly reference anything they need to help you in future.

Just getting angry at people who have encountered you for the first time and know nothing about you, is at best futile; at worst, unreasonable.

Just because you have suffered (for which I am truly sorry) doesn't automatically mean everyone else deserves both barrels of your ire.

Don't tell me to f-ck off on here either, people are way too accepting of that on Mumsnet - I will report you.

Ah, legal action. With a view to compensation for extreme distress and mental anguish I assume? As I’ve said, you need to ensure your GP notes are up to date. The hospital have access to your notes, and due to them questioning you so much, I’m assuming the notes they had in front of them didn’t mention your PTSD, or associated disabilities. Instead of blaming the hospital for asking valid questions, you need to question your GP as to why the notes are out of date. The hospital should have made sure the questioning was done in private, obviously, but you should appreciate the hospital has probably faced numerous people making their own excuses for not wearing a mask so need to fully question someone’s reasons, and investigate. To protect us all.