Ok to attend outpatient appointment

[Okbutnotgreat]

Tested positive a couple of days ago for covid with basic cold symptoms. Would I be ok to attend an outpatient appointment at Addenbrooke’s after 3 days if symptoms improved? Been waiting for a while and delays will not be helpful. I’d have to wear a face mask all the time in any case.

No

Ring the clinic and ask.

Different hospitals have different rules, and even within some hospitals there are departments which need greater care than others.

I wouldn't.

If you pass it on to staff they'll be off which means waiting lists get longer etc.

Default for many remains after 10th day; earlier only if you've tested negative x2 at 24hr intervals after day 5. As you'll be on day 4, you really need to check (I'm assuming 'couple' means no more than 2 and the day symptoms emerge, or you get a positive if asymptomatic, is as ever day 0

No, it would be irresponsible to attend whilst early positive.

I work in healthcare and we can’t return to work until negative after day 5 and 6, or day 10 if not negative by day 6.

Even with a mask you run the risk of infecting others, staff and vulnerable patients. Call them and ask for an early reschedule.

If someone vulnerable is infected by you whilst you are there it could be very serious for them.

No definitely not.

we are still testing/masks/social distancing/isolating in the NHS.

See post on social media

Ring them. In some circumstances we would change this to a telephone or video appt rather than cancelling it.

If course you can't attend a hospital appointment when positive with Covid.

What an outrageously selfish thought.

And yes, I get what is like to be anxious about missing an appointment. I have a kid recovering from cancer, the anxiety over missing appointments etc because either of us catch Covid is huge, but we absolutely wouldn't pass it on to someone else.

Absolutely not.

Thanks. Really was just thinking that if symptoms have improved it might not be ok especially as you no longer actually have to test and I’d thought it was just hayfever making it’s usual appearance. Obviously don’t want to cause problems but the appt has taken a long time and since we’re supposed to be mainly living with it I hoped it would be ok. It’s not a department associated with vulnerable people either.

I have been trying to call to check with the hospital and not managed to get through despite ringing over 50 times today.

This is from their website not sure if it’s a different number than the one you are trying

Please don't attend your appointment, OP. There is no universe in which you are not currently infectious. No hospital in England would permit you to enter while positive with Covid, even if you wear a full hazmat suit.

I'm sorry; I understand that must be frustrating and I know it's rubbish when you've waited for ages for your appointment.

I hope you make a full recovery soon.

I do understand that@Glitterandunicorns but since testing before attending is not required there are likely to be lots of people going every day who are in a similar position. If I was coughing and spluttering or burning up then I agree but since the hospital themselves don’t seem able to give any guidance nor am I able to speak to the relevant clinic I’m not convinced. I’ve now called several hundred times and wasted many hours trying to get through. I don’t want to do the wrong thing but am very fed up.

@Ladyofthepeonies annoyingly that number goes nowhere and I suspect that’s an out of date page.

Try phoning the main Hospital switchboard.

I am almost certain they will not want you to attend.

And yes, there may be others with Covid in the hospital, but the difference is you know you have it.

There are undoubtedly many people who have casual unprotected sex who have std"s that they don't know about. It would still be wrong to do it deliberately.

@Okbutnotgreat as @Somuchgoo pointed out, the difference is that you know you have it. To go knowing that you have Covid is irresponsible and incredibly selfish.

Ok, you may not be "coughing and spluttering", but you're still infectious. If you go, you will almost certainly pass it on to others, perhaps the medical professionals your appointment is with. This then means that they have to cancel the treatment of other patients.

FFS, what world are we living in where people are seriously considering attending a hospital when they are Covid positive and feel they need to phone up to get a receptionist to tell them not to come in? Honestly.

@Okbutnotgreat as @Somuchgoo pointed out, the difference is that you know you have it. To go knowing that you have Covid is irresponsible and incredibly selfish.

Ok, you may not be "coughing and spluttering", but you're still infectious. If you go, you will almost certainly pass it on to others, perhaps the medical professionals your appointment is with. This then means that they have to cancel the treatment of other patients.

FFS, what world are we living in where people are seriously considering attending a hospital when they are Covid positive and feel they need to phone up to get a receptionist to tell them not to come in? Honestly.

My DH had an outpatient appointment last week and had to take evidence of negative LFT to show at reception, they also took his temperature. Hospital staff see lots of vulnerable people each day and are still trying to limit exposure. This appointment was rearranged due to previous one being cancelled due to him catching covid, he got another appointment 2 weeks later. I rang and cancelled appointment and followed up with an email, but it obviously didn’t get put on the system as he got a letter from the consultant saying sorry he didn’t turn up for his appointment and to make another one.

For crying out loud

OP, Living with it doesn't mean ignoring it, it means using everything you have learned about covid over the last two years (ie how deadly and how infectious it can be) and then behaving responsibly.

That means staying at home and away from others until you test negative.

I went to the delightful Addenbrookes this week. Signs all over outpatients stating you must not enter if you have any symptoms of covid or have tested positive. (Did read the timeline but the clinic said - 14 days).

I work in an outpatient clinic, there’s a not a clinic in the country who is going to tell you to come for an appointment while covid positive. I can’t even believe you’re asking this tbh, there will be vulnerable people there including staff that you could pass Covid onto. We have signs everywhere saying if you have any covid symptoms or think you may have Covid you cannot attend, you know full well you have Covid and you’re still thinking of attending!