AIBU to go back to NHS

[fuckingterrified]

This is probably very outing but I really need some outside perspective.

I'm an Allied Health Professional, I'm still on the professional register but I left front line services and the NHS a few months ago. I'm still in a related role and I am currently working from home. I am keen to go back into NHS frontline services during the Covid-19 outbreak, as I could be useful. I have spoken to my old NHS manager who said I can do this, potentially in a few weeks.

My 'D'H is very anti this. We have 2 primary age children and he feels I am putting us all at risk by doing this. He is aware that Health Care workers have died in affected countries. We are all in low risk groups though. He does not want the children to go into school and mix with other NHS workers children as he feels they will be further at risk. He is currently try still working, and will not get paid if he doesn't go in (this of course may change). To add in, he does have quite extreme health anxiety.

However, I feel he is being selfish. If trained health care workers don't step up who will? But am I being too naive and risking my family's health? Opinions would be gratefully received.

Bump

I think both of you have reasonable points of view. But ultimately you’re right to make the sacrifice, because the country needs people to do that. He can’t let his health anxiety get in the way of it.

Bless you op what an angel you are. I understand your husbands health anxiety but the country does need as many people like you as possible and if you are willing even better. Ultimately its your call how you will decide this. Unfortunately we dont know your dh enough to know if he will change his mind or how stressed he will be and if you can manage to work hard and ease his anxiety as well.

He's going to work, but you cannot?

Are you sure he just doesn't want to do childcare?

Please come back.

Is your husband a key worker? I'm only asking as he'd be expected to look after the kids if you go back to work. Childcare is for single mums and households where both parents are keyworkers; in the event only one parent is a keyworker, the other parent has responsibility to look after the kids.

I can understand his anxiety over it but if you are trained and willing then you should do it. Many will need your help

There may be an element of not wanting to do childcare, however I do think his over riding issue stems from the health anxiety. And concerns over money if he's at home not getting paid. His point is I can choose to go back, I don't have to I'm not under obligation.

Re the key worker childcare I explained situation to school and they have provisionally said I would qualify if I go back. However, the texts I've seen since state if other parent is not a key worker they would be expected to cover the childcare so you are right, not sure as it stands if I'd qualify.

A PP referred to me as an angel. I'm not at all. I just feel so helpless seeing all my former colleagues trying to deal with this, when I know I can do something

Hi all, just wanted to bump this again. Had a heated 'discussion' with my DH about this again. He's said if I go back I'll need to self isolate from him and the kids as I'm putting them at risk. I don't where he expects me to do this. He does not think that him going into work is a risk as it's not a hospital. His exact words were 'if you bring it back into this house I'll never forgive you' and asked if I could guarantee that none of us would be seriously ill or die.

Do any other NHS staff have advice how they are managing the risk at home?

If he blocks me from doing this I don't think our relationship could come back from it.

I think this may be something you should do op, not just for our country but for yourself. It seems very clear it is something you want to do. If you do decide to go ahead would sleeping in another room/ in the sofa etc and cleaning kitchen and bathroom after use help his anxiety at all?

A lot of hotels are offering free accommodation to NHS staff wishing to stay away from their families.