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Original poster

Are you going to routine appointments at the moment?

52 replies

Icecreaminwinter · 19/12/2021 09:40

I have been going to all my/the dc’s regular appointments for months now and not thought much of it.

However I have a routine mammogram on Thursday and wondering if I should cancel or postpone given the warning I have just read that there will be a ‘tsunami’ of omicron cases in the next fortnight in my area. I obviously don’t want to risk being ill over Christmas with teenage dc and elderly parents reliant on me.

As I’m writing I am thinking I should cancel and rearrange!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 19/12/2021 11:12

Unless things are postponed or moved to virtual Ds will be at all appointments. He already has a potentially life threatening condition missed for a year because tests where delayed.

MrNapkinHead · 19/12/2021 11:14

Yep. I’ve got a smear booked and I’ll be attending.

xmastreez · 19/12/2021 11:18

You should definitely go ! Wear a high quality mask and wear it properly. Wear a FFP3, very tight on your face. When you're done, sanitise your hands and take it off by the straps without touching the mask itself. Throw away, then sanitise again. You'll be fine.

Jng1 · 19/12/2021 11:19

Yes- have been going for smear etc, but have also done online/phone appointments if it's not essential I see my GP (e.g. medication review) and I can submit my own BP reading etc.

But I wouldn't be going to a mammogram as I don't believe that the breast screening service is fit for purpose, does more harm than good , and is pushed by GP surgeries as they get financial incentives for sending women. But that's my personal opinion and I know it's one not everyone will share.

SickAndTiredAgain · 19/12/2021 11:25

I would definitely go to any scheduled appointments because who knows when you’ll get another one.

Roselilly36 · 19/12/2021 11:26

Go for your appointment OP. I am still having regular blood tests for my disease modifying therapy, and I was at the hospital yesterday morning to see Urologist and ended up having a Cystoscopy, ouch! Also been to hospital to see Neurologist & for MRI scans. You need to get on with life, appts are important too. Good luck.

Rainbows246 · 19/12/2021 11:34

Please keep all appointments. If you delay them they could take longer. We in the nhs are still trying to pick up the backlog so keep whatever you can and just take sensible precautions.

RoseMartha · 19/12/2021 11:49

I went to physio a week or so ago.
Obviously wearing a mask and kept sanitising hands and changed and washed clothes when I got home. Probably a bit extreme. But I seem to have more ocd tendencies since covid started. Probably a waste of dr time to actually tell them about issue.

julieca · 19/12/2021 11:53

I would go. They are cancelling many routine appointments where I am to deal with boosters and the extra patients in hospital.

Franklin12 · 19/12/2021 11:54

I would go too. I went for mine further than expected and told if I wanted to go to GP surgery using the mobile van I would have to wait until summer 2022. I was recalled but all OK. I could not fault the care.

Women were there on their own because we are asked to attend without a partner.

My friend had hers in an area where there are cultural differences in this sort of thing and she said it was chaos with husbands trying to get into appointments and generally making a nuisance of themselves.

DottyHarmer · 19/12/2021 12:00

Men at mammograms?! Why on earth? Even if there are cultural differences the staff are women. There isn’t room in the mobile units for more than one patient - and that’s a squeeze!

Remmy123 · 19/12/2021 12:03

Yes.

You MUST go to your mammogram

Breast cancer caught late or covid? It's a no brainer

Mindymomo · 19/12/2021 12:08

I’ve had a mammogram this year, it was done in a mobile unit and it literally was one in, one out. The mammogram seemed quicker than usual, no pulling you about to get the best image. I’ve also had a smear and blood tests. DH has blood test booked for Wednesday, which I hope they don’t cancel. I am overdue at the opticians, but don’t fancy it at the moment

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 19/12/2021 12:10

Weve been and will continue to go to all routine appointments such as dentist, opticians, gp etc

We havent been going to theatres, pubs etc but routine appointments are important.

Youaremypenguin · 19/12/2021 12:13

Definitely a mammogram. The consequences of not going and finding cancer early outweigh the risk of covid!

LIZS · 19/12/2021 12:15

We've done many an appointment face to face. My mammogram in August was well managed. Wait outside until time, one in waiting room, one being scanned. One in, one out. Dh had an orthopaedic outpatient appointment two weeks ago. Waiting area less than 10% full. Minimal contact and plenty of distance.

julieca · 19/12/2021 12:16

@DottyHarmer

Men at mammograms?! Why on earth? Even if there are cultural differences the staff are women. There isn’t room in the mobile units for more than one patient - and that’s a squeeze!
Some men have mammograms too. Not common but men occasionally get breast cancer.
BurntO · 19/12/2021 12:17

Routine medical appointment 100%, you’d be mad not to go. Hair cut? I’d be putting mine off for now

Choux · 19/12/2021 12:21

@Icecreaminwinter

I did go to my smear test two weeks ago in my gp surgery and it was very quiet so fine. The mammogram is in a clinic and the last time I went it was packed with people waiting and going in and out of different room. Maybe they have restrictions now, I’m not sure.
Was your last mammogram pre covid? I had one in Oct 2020 in a clinic in London and I didn't see another patient. I saw only the receptionist and the person doing the mammogram. This was mid morning in a clinic covering my entire London borough. I felt v safe.
notagainnotagain · 19/12/2021 12:23

I had a mammogram last month. There was only 1 other person in the waiting room and I spoke to 1 receptionist and the lady who did the mammogram. Felt very very COVID safe.

AuntieStella · 19/12/2021 12:27

Yes go.

Round here they paused routine screenings at the times they did not think they could run a safe enough service (symptomatic referrals and follow up from earlier issues continued throughout, because the risk/benefit threshold was different)

I would trust them to be running a safe enough service competently and wouid go.

DottyHarmer · 19/12/2021 12:27

@julieca - that is totally different. Men don’t routinely get mammograms. If they get breast cancer it would likely be diagnosed from a self-felt lump, and they would not be at a routine screening appointment.

It would be the same if there were Prostate Mobile Units: It would not be appropriate for men’s wives/partners to be bustling in with them.

julieca · 19/12/2021 12:30

No they wouldnt be at a routine screening, but they would be given a mammogram.

itsgettingwierd · 19/12/2021 12:37

I've been to all ds various consultant appointments in 2 different hospitals for the past year or so.

I wouldn't miss a mammogram.

itsgettingwierd · 19/12/2021 12:37

And I've also had a gynae apt and hysteroscopy for myself.