Should I self isolate / social distance ?

[GaaaaarlicBread]

I work for the nhs . Not patient facing as such but still in the hospital and I do come into contact with patients occasionally, I’m more back office work.
My husband works as a nurse with patients and is in contact with corona patients (suspected or confirmed) every day for hours on end.
I am also pregnant and have an underlying medical condition that if it flares up, can leave me in a coma or hospitalised for many days with complications .
I don’t know where I stand ? Logically I’d think I should be off work but equally would I get paid as I’m not sick and work have said I’m not classed as being at risk ?
I’m so confused , would love advise /guidance if possible please

Sorry if that’s a bit jumbled , let me know if I’ve not been very clear . I’m just so confused and a bit stressed

Is pregnancy a risk category?

@duck yes and underlying health conditions too 😕

Pregnancy is one of the at risk groups.
It sounds like your medical condition also puts you in an at risk group.

Although you are also NHS staff you also need to be looking after yourself.

Based on your OP you should be self isolating to protect yourself, and as such should not be at work.

Your employers should be acknowledgment this and ensuring you are safe.

I'm not sure why your work have said your not at risk. This goes against the official
Government advise.

@Aragog thank you I felt like maybe for some reason I didn’t count in the categories . I had a basic infection in jan and ended up in hospital severely ill and my body just turned a slight infection into something worse as my immune system is weak. I’ll have to see if I can talk to management tomorrow

Work are wrong, you are classed at risk you have a health condition so you need to be practicing social distancing.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Pregnancy is slightly different though

Women who are less than 28 weeks pregnant should practise social distancing but can continue working in a patient-facing role, provided the necessary precautions are taken.

Women who are more than 28 weeks pregnant, or have underlying health conditions, should avoid direct patient contact

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-for-pregnant-healthcare-workers-and-employers-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

Direct your employer to the links above also speak to occupational health

@bythehairs I am only 17 weeks but with my underlying medical condition and how complicated it can be I’m pretty sure I do count . I’ll have to talk to them again but they said as far as nhs are concerned the guidelines are different ? 😩

Coronavirus (Covid-19) and rights at work during pregnancy

maternityaction.org.uk/2020/03/covidmaternityblog/

Would you be moving out of the house you share with your husband? Otherwise would be a bit odd to me to want to have time off work but be living with someone you class as high risk.

@SD1978 yes we’ve said I will have to move in with my parents for a couple of weeks whilst he’s working with those patients . They only live up the road but I won’t be able to see my husband as I will most likely pick it up otherwise even though he will be sterile etc it’s not worth the risk

as far as nhs are concerned the guidelines are different

No they’re not! With you not more than 28 weeks pregnant they have to make sure you’re safe if working in a face to face role, however you also have an underlying health condition, which puts you at risk.

Speak to occupational health, they need to do a risk assessment. Speak to maternity action on the last link I posted

6.2 Healthcare workers after 28 weeks’ gestation or with underlying health conditions

For pregnant women after 28 weeks’ gestation, or with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease, a more precautionary approach is advised.

Women in this category should work from home where possible, avoid contact with anyone with symptoms of COVID-19, and significantly reduce unnecessary social contact. For many healthcare workers, this may present opportunities to work flexibly in a different capacity, for example by undertaking telephone or videoconference consultations, or taking on administrative duties. All NHS employers should consider how to maximise the potential for homeworking given current relaxation of NHS Information Governance requirements, wherever possible.
Staff in this risk group who have chosen not to follow government advice and attend the workplace must not be deployed in roles where they are working with patients. Services may want to consider deploying these staff to support other activities such as education or training needs (e.g. in IPC or simulation).
These measures will allow many pregnant healthcare workers to continue to make an active and valuable contribution to the workplace until the commencement of their maternity leave.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2020-03-21-covid19-pregnancy-guidance-2118.pdf

I’ll speak to my managers as well as the link you posted to me thank you so much. I haven’t spoken to my team yet, just went to someone I know in HR. Maybe I need to be open about my worries to them. Work the sleeves are fantastic , I just think nobody really knows what to do! I’m very lucky I have a good team and supportive managers , a lot of people I know don’t get support. And also got my family nearby and my husbands family aren’t too far away either so we have people to lean on. It’s such a scary time.

Work themselves * not them sleeves . Sorry my phone predicted text (wrongly)