My elderly mum needs a blood test due to (non corona) medical issues. The GP says it needs to be done soon (they are monitoring levels of something and the last test didn't look good so it is an important follow-up). My mum is in a vulnerable category due to both age and underlying conditions (multiple) and does not want to enter the GP practice for fear of picking up the virus from a member of staff or another patient.
She phoned the practice to ask what coronavirus measures for vulnerable people were in place, and asked if the phlebotomist could do the blood test through the car door/window. The practice said that no, she has to come in as normal to the surgery waiting room, but that it is okay because they are doing 2m social distancing and not seeing people with coronavirus symptoms (I guess they have a load of those mythical tests at their disposal!).
We know asymptomatic people can spread the virus. So what should she do? I want her to demand that they make reasonable adjustments, but in reality what could they do to minimise her risk of catching it? She needs the blood test. But, equally, them acting as though some 2m distancing in a confined space like a waiting room is enough, and claiming nobody in the building will have the virus, is clearly a load of nonsense that they know they can't actually guarantee.
Due to her category she isn't allowed out to shops for the next 12 weeks, even with social distancing in place. And we all know all routine dental work is cancelled. I don't see how the doctors' surgery is any less risky an environment and I'm surprised they don't have extra measures in place for vulnerable groups requiring medical treatment.
Are there any nurses or doctors, or is there anyone who has had a similar experience, who can give advice on what to do and what reasonable adjustments could be made to accommodate my mum's vulnerable category? She is being asked to come in just like anyone else despite also being told she is vulnerable and should be in strict isolation.