Hospital appointment - what are they like now?

dreadingappt · 2020-09-07T17:54:58+00:00

Haven’t been to a hospital or GP surgery since February, but been asked to come in for several tests tomorrow . It’s being done on a ward which is confusing in itself as it’s just outpatient tests - no anaesthetic required or anything ... I’m not good at being a patient in normal times, I suspect even less so now . I have PTSD about being examined . Been told I can’t have anyone with me, they can’t guarantee a chaperone from the hospital . Not allowed diazepam as need to be with it enough to cooperate and might affect results . I am getting myself more and more worked up, I’ve been to the same ward for three operations before and really don’t want to go back there ... surely the corona will make everything much worse too as they’ve said building routes are all altered, one way systems and checking ID/hospital letters regularly . Said staff I see will be in full PPE so I’m guessing that means shields and masks etc ... Are hospitals as scary as I’m imagining now?

Mindymomo · 07/09/2020 19:09

My friend and neighbour is a nurse and she says she is safer in hospital than shopping in Tesco. My husband was in hospital in April to May, heart attack. This was in lockdown, but obviously it was open and staff working. I’m sure appointments are not completely back to normal, but hopefully it will mean not too much waiting around. I’ve been to GP to have a blood test, 3 people in waiting room and only 10 seats there.

melissasummerfield · 07/09/2020 19:11

Our local large hospital was eerie quiet last week, there was barely anyone there !

Original poster

dreadingappt · 07/09/2020 19:33

Thank you, yes I thought of that, that maybe it being so quite I’d get not be sat waiting ages ! It’s quite the full works I’m going in for, be relieved to get it over and done .

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itsgettingweird · 07/09/2020 19:36

My ds went in for an X-ray a few weeks ago.

I'm having ultrasound in a few weeks.

Felt very safe when I went in. Everywhere always has handgel anyway.

Wars is probably actually better because you know everyone on ward will have been tested negative for Covid hence them being on that ward.

Good luck. Can't be easy with ptsd anyway let alone on these uncertain times

pickingdaisies · 07/09/2020 19:42

Staff are wearing gloves mask and visor in my local hospital, seating is spaced out in waiting rooms, they took my temperature with a digital thermometer in my ear when I got there. It's quiet and a bit eery, but I got used to it fairly quickly. Waiting areas aren't always where they normally are, but staff tell you where to go, then come and get you. Also hand sanitiser stations, they might ask you to use it as you go into different areas. It's fine, don't worry.

Millie2013 · 07/09/2020 20:06

Outpatients is quiet, staff member on the door asking about covid symptoms, taking temperatures and ensuring hand gel used, socially distanced seating in the waiting area. Staff in masks/visors, more sanitising stations outside clinic rooms. Far quieter than normal. I feel very safe

user12642379742146 · 07/09/2020 20:21

Do they know you have PTSD (i.e. a disability)? What adjustments are they making? They can't (legally) just say no to every bit of support you would normally have and do nothing - aside from the public sector equality duty they have a duty of care to you not to cause harm.

If nothing else, make sure the staff treating you tomorrow know so that they can support you with anything that is particularly triggering and/or distressing about what they need to do. (Write it on a card if you're worried you won't be able to say). If what you'd normally have in the way of support and adjustments aren't possible then they will need to adapt.

For example, if everyone being in masks is distressing it might help if they made more of a conscious effort to talk more to humanise themselves to you. Or if they can slow down their pace rather than hurtling off at 100mph (because it's just another task to them and they've forgotten it isn't to you) and overwhelming you/leaving you feeling out of control. Both of those are small and easy to do, covid or not.

Good luck, I hope it goes as well as it can. You sound very courageous to be going ahead despite the PTSD and difficult circumstances making that harder. Have you got a plan for caring for yourself afterwards? Something nice waiting for you at home to focus on?

Tootletum · 07/09/2020 20:23

I took DS for an x-ray, while place was empty. I found the lack of people a bit depressing, but I don't have any anxiety about hospitals so I'm not sure that helps!

BramblyHedge · 07/09/2020 20:26

I have been 6 times during lockdown due to clumsy kids (one now requiring outpatients). Apart from masks, lots of hand gel and no long waits (and temperature checks in A&E) I haven't noticed much different.

Original poster

dreadingappt · 07/09/2020 21:05

@user12642379742146

Do they know you have PTSD (i.e. a disability)? What adjustments are they making? They can't (legally) just say no to every bit of support you would normally have and do nothing - aside from the public sector equality duty they have a duty of care to you not to cause harm.

If nothing else, make sure the staff treating you tomorrow know so that they can support you with anything that is particularly triggering and/or distressing about what they need to do. (Write it on a card if you're worried you won't be able to say). If what you'd normally have in the way of support and adjustments aren't possible then they will need to adapt.

For example, if everyone being in masks is distressing it might help if they made more of a conscious effort to talk more to humanise themselves to you. Or if they can slow down their pace rather than hurtling off at 100mph (because it's just another task to them and they've forgotten it isn't to you) and overwhelming you/leaving you feeling out of control. Both of those are small and easy to do, covid or not.

Good luck, I hope it goes as well as it can. You sound very courageous to be going ahead despite the PTSD and difficult circumstances making that harder. Have you got a plan for caring for yourself afterwards? Something nice waiting for you at home to focus on?

Thank you .

In theory they should know, but I don’t think they will - I will definitely mention it when I get to the hospital though . It’s more the lying on my back I can’t deal with and I can see there might be ways around that, hopefully . Will definitely ask for help rather than shrug it off, that makes a lot of sense .

I hadn’t thought of a treat to be honest ... There’s an M&S at the hospital so I might pop in see what they have . And then home for a bath and a nap !

Thanks all ❤️

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Newjez · 08/09/2020 05:33

We have had to attend hospital several times, both scheduled and A&E.

On all occasions they have been absolutely brilliant. As safe as they can be. Much more risk going to the supermarket.

Original poster

dreadingappt · 08/09/2020 20:34

Got on absolutely fine - nurses/porters and hospital volunteers couldn’t have been kinder, felt very safe . So glad and relieved to have it all done !! Off to bed soon for a wee early night - shattered

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itsgettingweird · 08/09/2020 22:04

@dreadingappt

Got on absolutely fine - nurses/porters and hospital volunteers couldn’t have been kinder, felt very safe . So glad and relieved to have it all done !! Off to bed soon for a wee early night - shattered

Yay. Well done you.

Give yourself huge credit for getting through it and reminder to yourself how strong you are

pickingdaisies · 11/09/2020 09:40

Just popped on to see how you were, fantastic news! The waiting is so much worse than the actual thing (usually!)
So glad it went well for you
Just in case you're off the alcohol

Original poster

dreadingappt · 11/09/2020 11:30

@pickingdaisies

Just popped on to see how you were, fantastic news! The waiting is so much worse than the actual thing (usually!) So glad it went well for you

Just in case you're off the alcohol

Thank you (and itsgettingweird too)!!

Honestly if anyone else reads this, it wasn’t half as bad as I’d imagined , if anything it was actually considerably better than usual . I had three nurses to myself, I was taken care of on a huge ward - no other patients ... One of the nurses stayed with me the entire time, even helped me to the loo after and to get dressed as embarrassingly I’d fainted halfway through so a bit wobbly . Maybe it’s because I’ve had such horrendous stuff happen before but I could have hugged that lovely nurse !!

Corridors had security everywhere supporting you to find clinics etc ... main reception has Red Cross volunteers stationed to offer support too .

With all that being in place it felt so much easier than usual when you’re rushed in and out . Everything done a bit more slowly, with more consideration and kindness . I’ve had dozens of day surgeries and tests and you’re usually rushed out and left to it after .

The only thing that did make feel a bit was the fact that entire wards are empty - I was the only patient being seen on a 40 bed day surgery unit (where’s everyone else?!) . Nurses did say they’re slowly starting to do more clinics and non urgent surgeries but for the appointment I had (urodynamics) they now have a 350 patient backlog . A lot of work and time to start clearing that .

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