NHS - reducing risk for clinically vulnerable staff?

[loveloveloves]

I have passed my occupational health assessment for my new job in the NHS but as I'm at 'moderate risk' from COVID I have to speak to my employer about putting in place measures to reduce my risk. I'll be working in virology so that will consist of working with COVID samples but I won't have any contact with patients.

I'm not really sure what kind of questions I should be asking or what to expect. I'll be wearing full PPE and adhering to the strict health and safety protocols so I'm not sure what else they can do? I did naively hope I would be vaccinated soon but as I'm in priority group 6 it will be a little while yet.

I work in a lab for the NHS, a lot of the day in microbiology handling covid samples. We don't wear PPE at all, except for gloves and the usual mask. I'm diabetic and am working as normal, only the extremely vulnerable are off/shielding.

We've been advised we're low risk to catching it (by the consultant microbiologist), 99% of the covid swabs have a solution in them which render them non-infective so safe to handle. No more dangerous than the other swabs/samples we handle on a daily basis. It depends on if you will actually be opening the swabs though, in which case you'll be in the getup and using a fume cabinet.

Presumably occ health will assess the risk to you and decide if you're safe to be in the lab.

On the upside our hospital is vaccinating all staff so you may get it quicker than expected. I had mine just after Christmas (I am also face to face with patients as part of my role) half of the staff here have had theirs.

In that role within the NHS you are likely to be vaccinated quickly as a care worker rather than within your standard cohort

Thank you both, that is great to know! I feel like the main source of risk would be from my colleagues rather than the samples, we will all be wearing masks at least.which will help reduce the risk.

@jiskoot This is off-topic but I was just wondering what the dress code is for your lab? I have emailed HR but am just waiting for a reply. Labs I have worked in before have been very casual but I figure the NHS ones may be more formal? Obviously normal health and safety rules will apply (closed toe shoes, lab coats) but just wondering how smart everyone dresses?

Dress code is casual, I live in jeans and boots! Does have to be closed shoes whilst in the lab and lab coats as usual.

I did actually have a look at the government green book and lab staff are classed as front line so you will be able to get your jab quickly fingers crossed. Good luck

I'm sure you'll get vaccinated very quickly. My new starter was booked on day 2 as soon as employee number generated.

all front line and none front line were offer a vaccination by mid jan in my trust. Mine was 9th jan - with just a slight sore arm. New staff and students are being booked in within their first week so hopefully you ll have that extra reassurance soon