Has anyone had a routine hospital appointment during lockdown?

[ImaHogg]

I’ve got a pelvic scan at my local hospital next week, it’s a follow up from a scan I had in the summer.
I know the hospitals do all they can with regards to infection control etc but as a severe anxiety sufferer I am getting myself worked-up about the appointment and risk of Covid especially as my poor neighbour went into the same hospital a fortnight ago following a fall and tragically contracted Covid and passed away last week.
It’s taking place in the gynae department so obviously not on a ward but I’m still very anxious.
Has anyone had a routine scan appointment during this recent lockdown? How did it go?

I've had a few appointments over the past year. Pretty quiet, they give you a surgical mask if you're not already wearing one. Lots of hand sanitiser everywhere. Felt much safer than being at the supermarket.

Sorry to hear about your neighbour

It will just be like your summer appointment covid was still a risk so if you think of it like that then you might feel better. Scotland has been in. Lockdown since boxing. Day I had a Kidney scan new year's eve. It was fine felt very safe,you will. Be fine

I broke my shoulder recently so have had 3 separate X-rays and two physio appts so far. I took my own hand gel because I didn’t want to touch theirs and wore a mask the whole time as did all the staff I saw. Absolutely fine.

I think most of the transmissions are happening on wards. An infected person being near you very briefly (if that happens) is much less likely to infect someone than frequent provision of sometimes intimate care in a ward (if it’s the healthcare provider thats infected). Also, most likely a high proportion of the people being infected in hospitals are elderly and very sick already so more vulnerable to picking up bugs anyway.

Please don’t worry op!

Lots. Everyone was wearing masks and plenty of hand sanitiser available.

Yes. I’ve had a couple.

I was given a new mask at the x-ray department I had gone in with my own And there was a hand wash station and I was in and out there was no hanging about.

It’s very safe. I’ve had several. You are greeted at the door and usually have to change your mask for one of theirs and use sanitiser in front of them. They take your details and let you in. I’ve been the only one in the waiting room and one time there were 3 chairs to use in a waiting room that usually seats about 30! You’ll be fine

If your hospital thought there. Was a covid risk I think theywould have cancelled your appointment.

Thanks all, that has somewhat put my mind at ease.

Me. Honestly OP it was fine. Hospital was really quite, totally separate from the Covid ward and felt super safe. Much safer than shopping feels

All fine I've had loads over the last year. I've also been in hospital in a non covid ward for the last 3 weeks and no problems here

I attended a routine pre-op clinic (sadly op was cancelled on the day for bed management reasons). It all felt very safe. The hospitals are quiet so you can keep your distance easily while waiting. You'll be given a paper surgical mask of the kind the staff wear.

There is an issue with hospital-acquired COVID, but in my own trust (I am a HCP as well) this has only been in inpatient settings where distancing is harder and exposure to others is over much, much longer time periods.

Did you get a leaflet with your appointment letter telling you what to expect? I had 3x appointments booked in early January but cancelled them as I was sheilding & at that time there was all the talk of the new strain. Rebooked for this month & had first scan just over a week ago. They were sanitising chairs, the hand gel bottles - everything. The waiting room I was in was small with 1 other person. I walked through to the department then had to answer a few covid related questions before I got to reception. I didn't need to change into a gown (this had been a big worry for me). I was due a blood test a couple of days later at my doctors so I asked if they could do it there as they have a walk in for bloods in the same department. There were about 5 people waiting all very spaced out, however I heard all the nurses complaining about a young lad who turned up for his appointment despite having tested positive for covid. That was nerve racking to say the least!!

When I got home I took off all my clothes as soon as I got in the door & put everything in a carrier bag. Washed my hands then got a shower & washed my hair, then I wiped down everything I'd taken & washed my clothes. All of that may have been overkill but it made me feel better. Also I've been watching Real Housewives of Dallas & one of them is a hospital doctor & she said she does the same thing!

I have another scan at a different hospital this week & a third a few days after that so I'm hoping it all goes smoothly. Have a look online for the patient leaflets if you didn't get one.

Many.

I was pregnant last year and in every two weeks and then every week.

They are deserted outside the wards. No visitors, no one milling about. No one where they shouldn't be.

I'd go to a hospital than go shopping tonhe honest.

Yes I had a scan. All very safe and distanced as best you can. For once, they were on time, quick and I was in and out in under 15 mins.

I was due one last week but have read that hospitals are places of high transmission I decided to get my appointment postponed until after I have been vaccinated. Its been rearranged for June.

Both my parents have had loads. They are taking infection control seriously. The last thing they want is their vulnerable patients becoming ill.

I've had ultrasounds (pelvic and vaginal), a D&C and two hysteroscopies in the last seven months in three different hospitals.

All very safe and well run.

Had four appointments (am pregnant). I’m on the extreme end of anxious, so the THOUGHT of being shut into a tiny room with another person to have scans was terrifying. To be honest, it wasn’t so bad. Waiting room was only four seats where there used to be maybe 20 with my last baby. Everything moving very quickly. All staff and patients in masks.

I'm pregnant so I've had lots of appointments due to being high risk. I've also had a breast lump investigated. I've always felt safe with the measurements put in place.

Yep had an abdo/pelvic scan in October. Totally totally fine. Very quiet in the dept, felt super safe, lots of hygiene measures. Really wouldn’t worry.

I work in Outpatients so have been there 5 days a week throughout COVID and haven't caught it (part of a study so have swab and antibody tests every 2 weeks) so I'm sure you'll be fine, we make it as safe as possible (screening questions at the door/social distancing/PPE/hand sanitizer etc)

I don't know anyone that's caught it in work and no-one that's had it has passed it onto colleagues so it must be working and I'm in an area that's had very high cases throughout

Went for a mammogram and a scan.wore mask sanitised hands and felt safe.No problem.

Yes for daughter’s appointment and MRI. Felt safe, though GPs much safer (in terms of cleaning after each patient).

I've had more hospital appointments in the last year than I have had in my entire life & I never felt concerned in the hospital. Admittedly I was an outpatient so was in & out after each appointment. I can't say what it would be like as an inpatient.
There were no people around, appointments were running on time, I'd had a Covid test before each procedure, my temperature was taken at the door, plenty of masks & hand sanitiser.
The nurses & consultants were fantastic & very reassuring. As one PP said, I felt safer in the hospital than queuing for my local supermarket.