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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS employee Covid policy

176 replies

TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:37

I work in the NHS, admin but contact with patients. I tested positive for covid last night. I feel rough and sent a pic of my test to my manager and called her this morning.

Oh I can still go in, all restrictions lifted apparently. I was shocked. I said I have symptoms, fever, coughing and sneezing. No I can still go in but perhaps put me in a separate room.

So, as I know it's a busy day, I drag myself in, masked up and put on warm clothing as no one will see me locked away. I get there, sweating and looking like death but I haven't got my "uniform" on. It's a nylon short sleeved shirt. I don't live near work but I either had to drive all the way home, put shirt on what no one will see, or go home unpaid (I've not been in the role 6 months yet)

I've applied for a new job today. Nhs management is so up it's own arse they'd rather put patients and Co workers at risk, then nit pick about a shirt and end up short staffed.

I assumed testing for full blown covid with symptoms I'd be told to stay away but not only did I have to go in, I was then subjected to that, all for minimum wage.

Shambles

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 27/12/2023 12:40

There is no Covid policy really in my NHS trust. If you test positive but feel well enough then you go in, if you don’t feel well enough you don’t. It’s treated like any other illness.

Sorry you are feeling ill.

Sharpness19 · 27/12/2023 12:41

It’s been like that in the nhs for months now. I’ve had Covid 3 x this year as a result. 😩

HappyHamsters · 27/12/2023 12:42

I would have phoned in sick, you have a fever, coughing and sneezing.

Original poster
TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:43

One of my Co workers young son has stage 4 terminal cancer so she was my first thought. I was surprised at the policy when nhs guidelines say different.

I was fine to battle on locked in a room on my own. I'd have disinfected everywhere and stayed away from everyone but management were more concerned about my shirt.

OP posts:
MissBuffyAnneSummers · 27/12/2023 12:44

If you were not well why did you not just call in sick?

Sarahconnor1 · 27/12/2023 12:44

My partner is a paramedic and yes is expected to go in with covid.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 27/12/2023 12:46

If you're not well enough to be in work why the fuck have you gone to work?
Either you're ill ergo stay home or you're not
Why can't people use a bit of common sense
That's on you not your managers

Finteq · 27/12/2023 12:46

YABU- If you aren't well enough to go in, then stay home.

Covid doesn't come into it.

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 27/12/2023 12:46

Our trusts rules are the same.
well with covid-go in
unwell with covid- call in sick as other illness’

id wear a mask at the very least.
it’s a real challenge to adjust from covid isolation to ignoring it.

Original poster
TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:47

I don't get paid but that's not an issue really, also first day back after Christmas and it's manic and didn't want to let my colleagues down as already chronically understaffed and too many patients for the surgery. I'd have been ok shut away on my own and I practically begged and said I'm here now, I'll just get on with it.

Nope. No shirt.

OP posts:
Riverstep · 27/12/2023 12:50

Whether you tested positive for covid or not is irrelevant, if you are unwell you phone in sick. Why did you go to work if you are running a fever and feel like crap. Stay home until you’re feeling better.

Jacfrost · 27/12/2023 12:51

You don't get sick pay in the NHS?

alpenguin · 27/12/2023 12:51

My partner works for the nhs (with patients) and has been told they can’t go in if they test positive until they’ve had two negative tests 24 hours apart.

Funny how different each nhs board is. They really ought to have a blanket policy. I’ve even seen some hospitals now making masking mandatory again over winter in the news.

ALittleBitAhAh · 27/12/2023 12:52

I'm a manager in the NHS. Our Trust says if positive with covid can come in if symptomless and feeling well enough. Most of my team can WFH if needed so we encourage that if they staff member wants to work.

fiftiesmum · 27/12/2023 12:53

If you are feeling unwell call in sick - same as always. You can't test for the flu or any of the many other viruses.
Also it's not your fault they can't manage to recruit and retain enough staff. Perhaps some of the seniors may have to come in and cover

VioletCharlotte · 27/12/2023 12:53

As others have said, policy for months has been to go in if you are well enough, even if test positive. It sounds like you are unwell so should have stayed at home. Why did you go in without your uniform?

SilverCatStripes · 27/12/2023 12:53

Are you an agency member of staff ?

Original poster
TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:54

Riverstep · 27/12/2023 12:50

Whether you tested positive for covid or not is irrelevant, if you are unwell you phone in sick. Why did you go to work if you are running a fever and feel like crap. Stay home until you’re feeling better.

Work ethic and teamwork. I like my colleagues and if I could be shut away I'll do my bit. I feel rough but not bad enough I can't answer a telephone or do what's needed in my role.

I should've just called in sick. It's not that, it's the nit picking when I got there about something that's not even important, I got there, I was ready to work.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 27/12/2023 12:54

TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:37

I work in the NHS, admin but contact with patients. I tested positive for covid last night. I feel rough and sent a pic of my test to my manager and called her this morning.

Oh I can still go in, all restrictions lifted apparently. I was shocked. I said I have symptoms, fever, coughing and sneezing. No I can still go in but perhaps put me in a separate room.

So, as I know it's a busy day, I drag myself in, masked up and put on warm clothing as no one will see me locked away. I get there, sweating and looking like death but I haven't got my "uniform" on. It's a nylon short sleeved shirt. I don't live near work but I either had to drive all the way home, put shirt on what no one will see, or go home unpaid (I've not been in the role 6 months yet)

I've applied for a new job today. Nhs management is so up it's own arse they'd rather put patients and Co workers at risk, then nit pick about a shirt and end up short staffed.

I assumed testing for full blown covid with symptoms I'd be told to stay away but not only did I have to go in, I was then subjected to that, all for minimum wage.

Shambles

hope you feel better soon

tbh you were too ill to work and should have called in sick.

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 27/12/2023 12:54

Do nhs GP staff not get NHS sick pay?

Original poster
TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:55

Need to work for 6 months before sick pay where I am

OP posts:
wudubelieveit · 27/12/2023 12:55

I don’t think you are cut out for the NHS…..logic doesn’t always come into it! But I’m surprised you didn’t know that most trusts have been expecting positive clinicians ,never mind admin,to work for yonks.

Funderthighs · 27/12/2023 12:56

It’s not difficult to understand. If you feel too poorly to work, don’t go in. If you feel well enough to work, go in. It’s just like any other illness.

Brefugee · 27/12/2023 12:56

I'm not sure why, if you have a uniform, you didn't just put it on this morning?

Original poster
TiddyTidTwo · 27/12/2023 12:57

wudubelieveit · 27/12/2023 12:55

I don’t think you are cut out for the NHS…..logic doesn’t always come into it! But I’m surprised you didn’t know that most trusts have been expecting positive clinicians ,never mind admin,to work for yonks.

I'm probably not 😂 my first thought was my Co workers and vulnerable patients being exposed to it. I was surprised but thought oh I'll go in then if I can be locked away.

OP posts: