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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this maskless woman should not be working in a hospital?

142 replies

PeachyBottom · 03/02/2021 09:26

Went for a blood test this morning. The area leading to where they are taken is very cramped with small cubicles running off there.

There was a phlebotomist working in the next cubicle to mine without a mask on. She was standing at the opening to my cubicle chatting loudly and laughing to the phlebotomist taking my sample so three of us in very enclosed quarters (no windows) and her breath everywhere.

I was shocked someone would be working in close quarters with lots of members of the public in a hospital without a mask. The ridiculousness of it made me quite angry actually!

AIBU to think that if this person couldn’t wear a mask in these circumstances, she shouldn’t be at work?

OP posts:
LagneyandCasey · 03/02/2021 09:43

That does sound odd. Maybe it was a mistake on her part. It happens to the best of us at times. However, the other staff member should have reminded her. It's a frightening time at the moment so yanbu to be angry.

Samcro · 03/02/2021 09:44

hope you said something. I would have

Saz12 · 03/02/2021 09:46

I assume she has a strong medical reason to be to able to wear one. She’s not doing it for a laugh or to be awkward, and discrimination for conditions is (mostly!) illegal.

I don’t think she should’ve been chatting away with your phlebotomist during your appointment. I’ve a bugbear about that kind of behaviour, though, (having a echocardiogram and 2 junior doctors came in for a chat to their mate, about the “fit bird” he’d pulled the night before. I was naked to the waist and in my early 20’s, they could see me but didn’t appear to realise how inappropriate until I said something (at which they were v apologetic).

chipsandpeas · 03/02/2021 09:46

you dont know why she wasnt wearing a mask, maybe she forgot, maybe shes medically exempt

TakeTheCuntOutOfScunthorpe · 03/02/2021 09:46

YANBU to be angry. But if she's exempt, she's exempt. Staffing pressures are very real - which is better, have a phlebotomist with no mask, or have cancelled appointments because the phlebotomist cannot work?

But regardless of her being exempt or not, she should be doing her best to avoid spreading - and that includes not talking and laughing unnecessarily as you describe.

Samcro · 03/02/2021 10:00

surely if she is exempt she should be given a job to do that is not around patients.

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 03/02/2021 10:14

Totally astonishing as said employee should be assigned to individual social distanced tasks and not causing alarm and stress to others who can she her unmasked. There is no exemption from infection of any virus let alone a super spreading mutating one that has taken many lives and shut down normality. Healthcare personnel of all people should be taking this seriously and setting an example as there are already evidently too many unmasked and non believers already. This is not a retail setting as its commonly seen in supermarkets once you pass the masked entry test and then it more often than not becomes a chin warmer. Even supermarket staff can’t be bothered these days as too with proximity concern and no doubt general hygiene standards. This is not helpful in a pandemic as people are already concerned about lifestyle moderations and resulting stress - so perhaps the more everyone takes it seriously perhaps the earlier we can return to a new normality.

ShutTheFuckUp123 · 03/02/2021 10:27

What did she say when you asked her why she wasn't wearing a mask or did you not ask ?

leafygarden42 · 03/02/2021 10:31

33% say you're being unreasonable! Utterly ridiculous. Of course she should have had a mask on.

No ifs or buts.

Nurse here.

Wearegoingtoneedabiggerboat · 03/02/2021 10:41

I work in NHS. In our trust, there are no exemptions to wearing a mask if you are patient facing. If she can’t wear one then alternative non patient facing role would have been offered. I would of asked her where her mask was

MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 03/02/2021 10:44

Did you mention it? I would have. You had to be there for your appointment so its not like you had a choice to stay well away from her. She should be doing something non-patient facing if she is exempt.
There was a worker the other day in Asda with no mask while out on the shop floor stacking shelves. She was making no effort to social distance. It really annoys me.

ZoeTurtle · 03/02/2021 10:46

@chipsandpeas

you dont know why she wasnt wearing a mask, maybe she forgot, maybe shes medically exempt
And? Neither of those excuses stops her spreading COVID.
OverTheRainbow88 · 03/02/2021 10:46

She must be exempt, probably more worrying for her doing her job all day every day around others and not be able to wear a mask.

Indecisive12 · 03/02/2021 10:47

NHS staff here, if she can’t wear one she shouldn’t be working with patients. End of. Please report this.

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/02/2021 10:49

@Indecisive12

Isn’t that discriminating against a potential health or mental health issue?

Borogroves · 03/02/2021 10:51

You need to report this.

Original poster
PeachyBottom · 03/02/2021 11:18

Thank you.

I have emailed a complaint to PALS.

I’m not one for confrontation but wish I had asked her where her mask was now.

I have changed a few things in the OP as I thought I might get flamed but it was actually a children’s blood test I was there for. My DC is 9 and wore a mask no problem. This woman made a point of coming over as she saw my DC was in school uniform asking him if he was at school and how she wished her kids were at school. She asked if all his friends were in too and when he said only a few as the other’s parents aren’t key workers, she said she was a keyworker but hadn’t sent hers in. Obviously she was making a point Hmm. I thought this was ironic as if she was worried about the spread of the virus and was keeping her DC at home, why the hell is she working with patients in a hospital without a mask!

She was very loud and brash. I don’t think she’d forgotten to put her mask on. Her colleague (who was doing DS’s test) was right in front of her and didn’t say anything.

OP posts:
Indecisive12 · 03/02/2021 11:34

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@Indecisive12

Isn’t that discriminating against a potential health or mental health issue?[/quote]
No it’s a risk assessment in a pandemic. Many people have been redeployed to keep them and patients safe. It’s also to keep the member of staff safe, if they can’t wear a mask their safety can’t be maintained. PPE is not optional for patient facing staff, I am aware this person may not be able to wear a mask but that doesn’t mean they carry on potentially infecting others.

TheOrigRights · 03/02/2021 11:36

There are 2 problems which I think you should raise.

  1. The lack of covid-safe practice (distancing, chatting)

  2. Why someone who isn't wearing a mask is working in a face to face role.

I have regular blood tests and have felt entirely safe every time.

Sweet666 · 03/02/2021 11:40

If you're that scared then just stay at home... who cares if she isn't wearing a mask

Lampsank · 03/02/2021 11:40

I will be honest I would have felt uncomfortable asking, and I'm not ashamed to admit that, it's a fault of mine! But I agree she should have either been wearing a mask, or if exempt they should find another role which isn't patient facing. Also inappropriate to say that to a 9 year old imo.

MakeMineALarge1 · 03/02/2021 11:41

@OverTheRainbow88 no it isn't discriminating.

Sick of mental health issues being brought up for every little thing - simple answer - if you are patient facing you have to wear a mask!

Yes please report or ring the department back now to discus it.

Indecisive12 · 03/02/2021 11:41

@Sweet666

If you're that scared then just stay at home... who cares if she isn't wearing a mask
People don’t go for blood tests for a fun day out! They go because there is a medical need and they should feel entirely safe going. Your comment is ridiculous.
conspicuouslyinconspicuous · 03/02/2021 11:45

@Sweet666
If you're that scared then just stay at home... who cares if she isn't wearing a mask

Wakey wakey?! Are you on another planet?!

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/02/2021 11:45

@MakeMineALarge1

Considering it’s a hospital and no staff were questioning said staff member I’m assuming there’s a legitimate reason behind not wearing a mask.