Worried about going in to hospital and doctors at the moment

[Realitea]

I’ve just been told I need to go to the doctor today for a check of my knees and a full blood test. Then X-rays at the hospital. I’m really worried I’m going to pick up covid while there but I’m in constant pain

What is the likelihood at the moment?

i would go. I went to a couple of hospital appointments including an MRI scan before Christmas and the procedures in place seemed very robust.

not with the new variant

I would not go unless it was lifethreatening

I really wouldn’t take advice from internet strangers. The hospital wouldn’t bring you in if they thought it could wait.

Presumably a medical professional has organised these tests.

They are far more likely to know if it is medically necessary and important for you to go than ransoms on the internet.

It is incredibly irresponsible for anyone to tell the op not to have medical tests.

Yes a medical professional has organised these to be done. I have to have my inflammatory markers checked and some other things. I’m really worried about what it could be. I’m struggling to walk so I guess I don’t have much choice. I’m just really worried about catching this new varient there

Hospital is one of the main places it is being caught so you need to decide about your own acceptable level of risk. I am coming under quite a lot of pressure to go into outpatients for non-essential check-ups etc because the doctors are finding it hard with long waiting lists that need to be cleared but quite a few patients under current treatment who don't want to go in. They may say it is a separate area but I know staff who travel widely around the hospital. They are doing the maximum they can do to make it safe, but you need to make your own assessment of your needs versus the risk.

Outpatient clinics seem really well run and in our hospital patients are directed away from the red zone.

OP - I went to a hospital appointment on Monday. Patients had a separate entrance to hospital staff. I had to sanitise my hands and had to show my letter before I was allowed in at the first check point. I then had my temperature taken at the door before going in to the hospital. I went straight in for my appointment, no one else was in the waiting area. I think they are spacing appointments out to avoid too many people waiting. The corridors were empty, as no one is allowed to visit people. It felt really safe, all staff wear ppe and surfaces are disinfected after each patient. I would go.

Doctors are not unaware of the covid situation. They wouldn’t be sending you if it wasn’t important.

Go . The GP has not ordered tests for them to be delayed. You need to have them.

I had a mammogram last week. Never considered not going

PotentPangolin - I would be more worried about catching the virus in a supermarket than I would from a hospital appointment.

@Mamamia456

PotentPangolin - I would be more worried about catching the virus in a supermarket than I would from a hospital appointment.

I do agree! I don't think the OP has said if they are going out for any other reasons or not. TBF I last went for an outpatient appointment in the late summer when cases were still low and so masks etc were not being enforced that well on patients or staff and it did unnerve me a bit, which is why I am more hesitant now. But I am sure things are much better in the current awful situation.

Definitely go! I asked here the other day about cancelling my routine smear at the gps! I was told by the majority on here to go! I did! I felt so safe, I had to wait outside until my time, I literally only saw the one nurse and nobody else! Waiting room was empty! I felt safe! If they have invited you in then they must feel it can't wait! You'll be ok.