To go or not to go?

[Dee96]

I realise I may not have the most level headed approach to this situation, I've recently given birth via c section and have am due to have a postnatal checkup and get dd's immunizations in a couple of days time. However, I really dont want to have to go to the doctors clinic if its avoidable. Last time I went the waiting room was full of people, and obviously dd cant wear a mask. In general I'm not going anywhere, do click and collect for groceries and that's it really. People may think my attitude is abit over the top but my whole families household (that I dont live with) has got covid and its nightmarish. I'm concerned for my mum who is struggling to breath, my dad who is chest, and my dsis cant keep anything down. I knew covid was never a light thing, but hearing all this second hand experience makes me scared to even step out the door. It's a horrible illness I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy and it seems to spreading so rapidly now. Is it totally necessary for my dd to have her vaccines now or can it put off at least until things are abit more stabilised again? As said before im not going anywhere with dd and dd isnt coming into contact with anyone, surely a couple more weeks waiting wont harm her? My tonsils have been horrendous since my surgery, pretty sure I need antibiotics, but even I dont want to go for myself. This all sounds so irrational but I'm also undergoing investigations for my heart and I just dont want to risk anything. I need to be well to look after my daughter. What should I do??

It's fine to wait but how long will you wait? The current situation will take a long time to calm down.

Please get ABs for your sore throat over a telephone appointment.

Tough one. The vaccinations can wait but I’d be concerned about getting your wound checked. Maybe phone and have a chat to the doctor.

When did you last go for an appointment? Was it since the current lockdown? Since my area has moved to Tier 4, our GPs has moved basically everyone to phone consultations, so if you do go in, there's scarcely a soul there. So might be the case where you are. It is important you get checked and your DC has their injections. Can you maybe ask for the first appointment of the day, so it's quieter?

I would go as it sounds like you need treatment, but definitely ask them if you can wait outside until you are called in for your appointment rather than sit in a waiting room full of people. Then wear a good quality mask during the appointment.

Can you not wait in the car park and ask them to call you in ?
No one is waiting inside at my practice.

I would go and get checked out. Very few sore throats need antibiotics, especially if you have no other symptoms, but its still best to get it checked out, especially if its been going on for 6 weeks, assuming ts that if your DD's immunisations and your afterbirth check are due.

Doctors surgeries are one of the safest places at the moment. At my surgery you have to wait outside and press the buzzer for them to come and let you in. There are only 6 chairs in the waiting area which are spaced out. When I went for a blood test recently there was nobody else waiting. All staff have face masks and doctors and nurses wear full ppe. It is important to keep medical appointments. Please ring them if you are anxious and tell thm your concerns. Hopefully they will be able to put your mind at rest.

I would also ask. I've taken my baby daughter for her immunisations this year and each time there was only one or two other people in the whole place. People are only there for pre booked appointments and are asked to wait in the car until their appointment. When I had a concern about my baby, I had a telephone call from the GP, so it's clear they're only doing in-person checks when absolutely necessary.

My GP for the 8 week checks and vaccines only allowed 3 mums and babies in the waiting room at once with a big distance between us , I felt incredibly safe there, much more safe than I did at the hospital on the postnatal wards.