NHS put me at risk but will not test me!

[TreesFallintheWoods]

Firstly, to be very clear, I am not blaming the person who unknowingly exposed me but I am blaming the system.

I had Physiotherapy by an NHS professional. Physiotherapist was later diagnosed with coronavirus. All her patients were contacted by PH England. My session was 30 mins, she was close to my face, breathing near me and touching me, as you would expect.

I am in the incubation period and have shown symptoms of a dry cough and a raised temperature. I fully accept this may be coincidence but I am concerned.

Yesterday AM, NHS 111 had agreed to refer me for swabs but now official guidelines are only that hospitalised patients get swabbed. This changed yesterday PM!

I want to be reassured. I am not usually an anxious person.

I have an underlying disease which puts me in the highest risk category. All this in mind, I expected to be tested.

I don’t understand why on earth they referred me for a test and while I was awaiting this to be sorted, they changed their minds.

There are not enough tests for everyone. You already know that you have to stay isolated and take care of yourself. Knowing if it is corona or not really only matters if you need to be admitted so they know where to place you.

I’m in the us. A lab in my large city just hit certified to process the tests. It’s a big lab. They can only do 1000 every 24 hours.

I doubt the physio would go to work if they thought for a second they had coronavirus. Being NHS staff does not mean they got it at work. Yes, the guidelines we're changed. The number of people needing testing has jumped, this increases the wait for results. If you are very unwell then you should be tested, by very unwell I mean needing hospitalisation. If you feeling a little unwell what is the point in the test, for most it's because they want a name, it won't change the fact you need isolation because that is the advice given. The NHS does not have the resources to give us all what we want. They give us what we need. If you can self-care at home you may feel shit but it doesn't mean intervention unless your condition is serious.

I do sort of agree with you O.P. the lack of testing for me has gone too far.

I’m a GP - and even more worrying - we have news today that they are refusing to test a GP who has confirmed exposure as she’s asymptomatic. NHSE have also informed her she should keep working - seeing 40 odd patients per day! She could be infecting some of the most vulnerable but they have categorically advised her she doesn’t meet criteria for testing and to keep working!!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/metro.co.uk/2020/03/13/gp-told-keep-working-seeing-confirmed-coronavirus-patient-12393278/amp/

This came thru in pulse magazine (which I can’t post a link too as it requires a login) so its verified info!!

@bobbypinseverywhere

That is beyond shocking.

Just another thought. What part of the system let you down?? Just curious because physio team would not be seeing corona patients. Likelihood is they have caught it outside of work or from a patient who was not symptomatic. How on earth they would no I have no idea.

@ZombieFan

I don’t know, it’s hard to be rational when you’re unwell and alone,,hence why I’m glad I posted. I feel more reassured now I’ve talked it through.

Just to clarify though, I am very vulnerable due to my underlying health condition. I am worried I’ll get worse, it’s quite scary.

The government isn't testing unless you're hospitalised because they want to hide the real numbers. That's it. I truly hope you feel better very soon, but be sure to demand care if you get really ill.

@eeyore228

” What part of the system let you down??”

They referred me for testing and then retracted this in a matter of hours. That’s why I feel let down. It may be an irrational feeling but it’s a feeling. I don’t blame my lovely physio, she’s amazing and I know it’s not her fault. I hope she’s not too unwell.

TreesFallintheWoods I live with someone with heart disease, I know how worrying this situation is. Its a horrible situation, I dont think much more can be done.

I have accepted we will catch it, I just hope that when the worse happens the NHS wont be over run with millions of people who could have survived on their own, so that the really ill can get treatment.

Also I hope that measures are sensible enough that we wont have a rerun of this next winter. In Ireland I do wonder what use closing schools is. The virus will still be there when they go back, possibly even worse.

I wasn't trying to have a go, I just wasn't sure where you felt the system failed you. I get that they initially agreed but the NHS doesn't choose the changes, the department of health does. The minute they make that change its done. If you don't fit the new criteria that's it. They will keep updating as they find out more because it has hit a pandemic stage, as unfair as it seems they will do what they need and prioritise. Really hope you are well soon.

Surely testing is important to sliw the spread.
Current advice is to quarantine for 14 days if in contact with a known case.
7 days if having a fever of >37.5 or persistent dry cough.

How do people know they are in the first category if there's no testing? It only becomes an exposure to a potential case. Surely or friends and family need to know if they should also be quarantining to learn the risk of spreading it. Or do we all just wait until we are symptomatic? That seems irresponsible.

@eeyore228

Oh it’s ok, I know you weren’t! I’m trying to be rational in my head. I probably have cabin fever in additional to an actual fever!

Self isolate, look after yourself and seek help if you need it. It wouldn't serve any purpose to know. Feel better soon