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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you were in a cafe having lunch...

337 replies

MargeSimpson00 · 07/01/2022 19:09

Would you mind someone at your table having an injection whilst sitting there?

  1. Person being injected is not in your party
  2. Not insulin or anything immediately life saving, a vaccination

YANBU- wouldn't mind
YABU- it's gross

OP posts:
Knackeredmommy · 07/01/2022 23:03

I don't think it's appropriate, it's not the same as a person self administering meds or an emergency epipen situation. It's a person cutting corners at work, surely there are risk assessments in place for this and I can't imagine correct procedure is jabbing someone whilst they're having lunch in a cafe. What did she do with the syringe afterwards?

Blinky21 · 07/01/2022 23:10

Would make me squeamish for a minute then I'd get over it the next and think no more of it

NeedAHoliday2021 · 07/01/2022 23:16

We have always held flu clinics in the hospital canteen so wouldn’t bother me. All about convenience.

Bimblybomeyelash · 07/01/2022 23:25

It wouldn’t bother me. But I have family members who really struggle with needles and who would not like this at all. I don’t think finding injections ‘squeamish’ is at all uncommon. So I think it’s entirely inappropriate of the nurse to have vaccinated the patient at the cafe table. For one thing the patient themselves may have found needles ‘squeamish’ and have wished for some privacy!

ToManySnacks · 07/01/2022 23:39

Wouldnt bother me, its a flu jab, not like a blood test where lots of blood is visible and the nurse is looking for a vain etc

PattyPan · 08/01/2022 00:10

I think it’s weird but I can’t fathom how it could be seen as gross

Littlescottiedog · 08/01/2022 00:22

It sounds like a similar place we have in my village, with a café in a sheltered accommodation-type place but it's open to the public too.

I have to say, if I had gone there for my lunch and was sat across the table from the person having the injection, I'd probably have moved elsewhere to finish up as soon as it became apparent that's what the nurse was going to do.

I don't think it's gross, but if I was there as a paying customer for lunch, that's not something I'd want in my field of vision. If I wasn't eating I think I'd be less bothered, but places where food is consumed aren't the place for medical procedures. Especially when there was another room that could be used just a few steps away.

Why2why · 08/01/2022 08:47

Presumably it was done in matter of seconds? I would not find it gross and would not bother to stare. I’d just mind my business as there isn’t any risk to me of being hurt or my food contaminated.

Much ado about nothing.

3scape · 08/01/2022 08:48

I'd be very uncomfortable with vaccinations in a café because it's a greater risk to those being stabbed as it's not going to be as clean as a medical prepared environment

Happyfeet1972 · 08/01/2022 09:43

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I'm insulin dependent too and like @RoastedTurnip says, you probably have been near people who have injected insulin and not even noticed. You wouldn't see the needle, I can barely see it when it's right in front of me, and i also do it under the table.

I have sometimes done it in the bathroom, but its not always possible, my favourite coffee shop has one bathroom and as soon as I've ordered my food I need to inject so it can be easier to just do a discreet quick shot under the table rather than have to queue for the bathroom etc. We have to do this every time we eat so sometimes it's just not possible to do it in a private location. I wouldn't be offended if you couldn't stay, but you honestly wouldn't see any kind of needle, it just looks like a pen.

Back to the OP, that is strange and yes I think a private room was a good suggestion.

SW1amp · 08/01/2022 09:46

@3scape

I'd be very uncomfortable with vaccinations in a café because it's a greater risk to those being stabbed as it's not going to be as clean as a medical prepared environment
Greater risk of what?

I had my first 2 jabs in a repurposed theatre, and my booster in the stock room of a pharmacy
Neither were ‘medically prepared environments’ unless you consider folding plastic chairs to be medical grade

Original poster
MargeSimpson00 · 08/01/2022 09:46

It sounds like a similar place we have in my village, with a café in a sheltered accommodation-type place but it's open to the public too exactly this.

OP posts:
WeatherwaxOn · 08/01/2022 10:06

I have mixed feelings.
If we are talking a jab in the arm for an elderly/inform person, and the cafe is attached to their residence (e.g cafe facility in care home), then it is probably easier to do it there and then. Assuming the needle/vaccine phial to be sterile and arm wiped, gloves on etc.

Whilst it is perhaps unusual, it's not exactly offensive. Not like someone getting a jab in their arse or having swabs taken from intimate areas.

However, if the person being vaccinated seemed uncomfortable with the prospect of being vaccinated at the cafe table, then their choice should take precedence and they should be allowed to use the side room.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/01/2022 10:07

@Happyfeet1972 If I knew you or anyone else was doing it I would have to leave and I’d probably say I’d get there late if we met up again.

Obviously if I didn’t know it was happening it’s not a problem - my Nan used to say ‘what the eye doesn’t see the heart doesn’t grieve for’ and it definitely applies in this case!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/01/2022 10:10

What about paying customers who are uncomfortable with it happening @WeatherwaxOn? I would leave and never return if there was a chance people were going to be vaccinated there.

wtaf37 · 08/01/2022 10:16

Breastfeeding, vaccinating in public - if you accept one you have to accept the other (provided they are not injecting illegal drugs)!

Shelby1981 · 08/01/2022 10:20

It seems a really odd thing to do but also...before having any vaccination you're usually asked questions about your medical history like are you on blood thinners, any allergies, could you be pregnant, etc etc which are confidential? So for that reason a side room would be more appropriate surely!

Happyfeet1972 · 08/01/2022 10:27

@PinkSparklyPussyCat and that's fair enough. Over the years I've checked with my friends who is ok and who isn't with it, and if one of them wasn't we'd plan round that.

Happyfeet1972 · 08/01/2022 10:30

@PinkSparklyPussyCat and yes to what the eye doesn't see. My DP has reminded me to take insulin on many occasions. I've taken it and he's not noticed when I'm sat opposite him!

Violetroselily · 08/01/2022 10:33

If I really really about it at the time I'd probably wonder whether they have the right equipment immediately next to them to dispose of the used needle or would they be carrying it through the cafe (which doesn't seem right)

Willyoujustbequiet · 08/01/2022 10:39

Insulin is perfectly acceptable.

I'd find the rest a bit strange but wouldn't bother me.

Willyoujustbequiet · 08/01/2022 10:45

You can't really see diabetics injecting but I'd fully support them needing to do it at a restaurant table. If we accept breastfeeding (as we should) then diabetics must be free to administer a life saving drug without judgement.

NewMessageFrom · 08/01/2022 11:06

@3scape

I'd be very uncomfortable with vaccinations in a café because it's a greater risk to those being stabbed as it's not going to be as clean as a medical prepared environment
I'm not sure how clean it needs to be, so long as air is clean, and the person doing the injection has clean hands, and doesn't let the needles touch anything before the arm?

Personally, i wouldn't care, I would assume its a one off where the person being injected had an issue getting somewhere else. I had my flu jab in a side room at Sainsburys pharmacy, I doubt it was disinfected? (could be wrong)

Throwntothewolves · 08/01/2022 11:12

It's incredibly inappropriate and disrespectful of the nurse toward the patient, never mind the customers and staff of the cafe. I'd be shocked if a nurse suggested vaccinating me in that setting and would like to think I'd refuse and complain. I don't care how under pressure the NHS is, there is no excuse for this lack of professionalism and lack of regard for the patient. Whatever people on here say, they would not be unphased by this because it is not at all normal.

Sometimes I think some medical professionals do become 'immune' to the patient's experience, because they do these things all the time they think nothing of it; see for example discussion with patients of private medical details by receptionists in hearing of those in the waiting area.

By the way many diabetics do inject away from public areas to protect their privacy and dignity because of public reaction, often in the toilets.

Comedycook · 08/01/2022 11:50

Obviously anything that is immediately life saving can be done anywhere. I think any medical procedure that breaks the skin should be done away from eating areas. I really do think it's grim.