Employer put me at risk?

[matchingsocks]

I am so annoyed with my employer which is an NHS Primary Care Trust. Since the beginning of lockdown the GPs have been in hiding and have steadfastly refused to complete any home visits. Instead they have sent out their Nurses and therapists. Sometimes, to patients who quite obviously have covid symptoms when we get there (despite them denying this on the phone).
Often there are relatives present who have travelled from other towns to support their relative, fair enough.
My issue is, since the very beginning we have been banned from asking patients or relatives to wear a mask whilst we are present (as they are in their own home).
I have complained about this, right up to director level but been told it is absolutely not permissible to encourage a patient to wear PPE.
Can you imagine rocking up at a GPs surgery and being allowed in without a mask on? Yet as DNs we are not allowed to ask the same.
Well I am now quite poorly with Covid. Caught, I am sure, from a patient who was extremely poorly with it.
AIBU to think they have failed in their duty of care to me?
We have lost a team member to this disease who will not see her DC grow up because of some ridiculous policy by our directors.
I wear a mask/PPE to protect my patients, is it so wrong to expect the same in return?
Right now I feel like sueing them.

my issue is that despite me sending regular emails to my team manager and directors I have been told (verbally in team meetings and quite threateningly in quite forceful emails) that I am not to ask a patient to don a mask in their own home.

Yet the same patients would HAVE to wear a mask if they go to see their doctor!
It's appalling that you're put at such risk. What's your manager's justification for the different rules?

I work on a 'clean' ward. I am high risk and have a risk assessment not to look after Covid patients. I was happy with that so didn't shield. Got back from annual leave to discover two positive patients say in the middle of the bay. I felt very betrayed, and angry. I have no issue with looking after patients who are asymptomatic and unexpectedly test positive, but it was knowingly having them on the ward that really pissed me off. Surprise surprise, I caught it. Fortunately only a mild dose and no proof where o got it from but I'm really annoyed.

Primary Care Trusts became CCGs in 2013 but their purpose changed slightly and they became ‘commissioners’ and clinical staff transferred to other organisations. I just thought it was a bit odd that a district nurse wouldn’t be aware of that 🤷‍♀️ Obviously understand that people outside would find all the ‘trusts’ confusing, but not from within, Nobody is employed by a PCT anymore

I also agree that it’s the HCP who needs to attend wearing proper PPE. If the patient/ relative has been coughing/ sneezing/ singing/ talking with raised voice there will likely be viral aerosols suspended in the air so sticking a mask on as you enter will not be helpful. It’s not the same as wearing a face covering as you enter health care premises because the home environment will potentially be contaminated