Are hospital outpatient appointments safe just now?

[ssd]

I dont want to go into details, I just want to get others ideas if they think an outpatient appointment is safe just now. I'm guessing the appointment will be under an hour.

Yep. I took my dad to one. Hospital was extremely quiet. I took him to the clinic and the nurses took over and I sat in my car. Had to wear a mask and sanitise my hands. Then he called me to go back and get him.

I guess theres no sitting in the waiting areas?

It's impossible to remove all the risks. You have no idea if you will be in contact with someone who has the virus. Personally, I would only attend a hospital appointment at present, if it couldn't wait.

Do you know it's actually taking place in person? A lot of hospital appointments are by phone/video unless it's for investigations or need to examine you.
I took DD for X-ray recently and all felt safe, lots social distancing and PPE

I went to a couple before Christmas and they felt as safe as they could be. One was an MRI scan so there was no way that could have been done by phone or video. Both allowed to sit in the waiting area but asked you not to arrive too early for your appointment. The chairs were spaced out and at the second one they were checking everyone (have you got cough, temp etc, please sanitise your hands) in the corridor before allowing them in the waiting room.

Most of ours are by phone or video. Minority come to clinic and those that do are on the receiving end of extremely detailed infection control measures. If you have an in person appointment I suggest you attend.

@ssd

I guess theres no sitting in the waiting areas?

If you are the patient yes. But they want to try and limit people.

I had urgent outpatients appointments just before Christmas at 2 separate hospitals.

One was at Gartnavel General & it felt very safe. Only patients, allowed in, there were literally half a dozen seats in the waiting room, all very well spaced out. Staff had on PPE & there was hand sanitiser everywhere. I cant think how it could have been improved on.

My second one was at the RAH & had a different feeo to it. Apart from chairs being further apart nothing else seemed different.

I had another appointment there recently and have postponed it because its non urgent and I don't feel happy in going.

@ssd

I guess theres no sitting in the waiting areas?

Yes....there’s sitting in the waiting areas....but it’s all socially distanced

This is the new Victoria on the Southside of Glasgow and cant be done by video.

Yes, very safe. I had an outpatient op on Monday and it was all good!

In Glasgow but not there.

That's good to know, thanks.