Third trimester...still working face to face during COVID

[Emf676]

I’m a dental nurse due to go into tier 4 still working face to face with patients, anyone else in the same position in a similar role?

I’m hoping for my midwife to give my employer something in writing (after saying I shouldn’t be continuing as I am) to state the risks are too great as I’m not really getting anywhere! I’m obviously maintaining social distance where possible but coming into contact with so many patients and doing AGP appointments is my greatest concern

Following the post out of interest as I’m a dental nurse too. My practice have said once I reach third trimester I won’t be doing AGPs anymore, are you still doing them? I’d like to think I’ll be given more reception/admin duties towards the end.

Sounds like they have more sympathy than my practice 😂 I’ve been doing up to 6 AGPs per day. I am only 1 week into my third trimester but I feel the current guidance is so vague! Our receptionists atm are also coming into contact with so many patients taking temperatures etc so I feel even that isn’t ideal

So as far as I'm aware The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines still stands even thou it has been archived

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-for-pregnant-women-who-are-working-in-the-nhs-and-other-work-settings-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

That is anyone over 28 weeks should not be patient facing and should either just be doing admin where you can social distance or work from home or off on full pay.

Your work should keep doing risk assessment as ur pregnancy progresses. Even without the rcog guidelines gov guidelines are for preg women to follow strict social distancing and being face to face with patients is not following this.

I'm a theatre nurse and haven't done any AGP'S from bfp and our policy is to be sent home after 28 weeks, even more so with cases on the rise

@Emf676 oof you poor thing! I’m 18 weeks so still doing them but certainly not that many a day. I’m also not doing long AGPs, I now feel lucky! The bda are quite vague about patient contact:

Third trimester
As far as the third trimester is concerned, for those who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond, there is an increased risk of becoming ill should they contract COVID-19 (this is true of any viral illness contracted, such as ‘flu). It should be noted, however, they are just as likely to recover as people who are not pregnant.

That said, guidance states that contracting COVID-19 just before or at the time of birth, would bring substantial challenges to all involved and is best avoided, so the closer the pregnancy gets to the due date, the more the practice should be prepared to show flexibility over the parental leave arrangements.

There should be careful risk assessments for pregnant team members in a patient-facing roles with appropriate arrangements to sufficiently minimise their exposure to the virus, taking into account individual risk factors.

The previous post above is quite outdated now and was only applicable at the start of the pandemic.
Definitely talk to your manager about not feeling comfortable. AGPs are awful enough as it is never mind being heavily pregnant.

Sorry it is not outdated as such. it has been archived as I stated but it's also says that is was archived but dose not mean the advise should not be followed. They archived it as it covers such a wide blanket and risk assessments should be done more locally, but think you will find most health care workers being that nhs or private are still following it.