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Slightly worried, should I be?

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LancashireLass

LancashireLass

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My GP has contacted me to go in for my bloods done - apparently I haven't had them done since 2018 so they need to be reviewed, but I am slightly worried about visiting the GP in the current circumstances. Ideally I would put it off until the "dust settles" whenever that might be, but as it's been so long they are keen for me to get them done.

What do you guys think about this? I mean, am I over-reacting and being paranoid about the safety aspect of visitng the GP? I do have anxiety so often get more worried about things than I should so am putting it out there for opinions 🙂
 
I have had my bloods tested twice in the last year.
Both times, the surgery restricted entry to only people with appointments (no dropping off prescriptions or chatting to receptionists). Face masks were mandatory. I had to arrive on time but not early so no waiting. My temperature was tested as I entered and I was given hand sanitiser at the same time. Everyone in the surgery was wearing PPE.
It felt as a much safer experience than wandering around a supermarket where some people still don't wear masks, things are touched my multiple people and there are no tests on entry.
I am glad I had the blood tests - now is not the time to become complacent about this risks associated with diabetes.

Not all surgeries are the same but, based on my experience, I would not be put off from getting a blood test.
 
They should have social distancing measures in place and be insisting that everyone wears masks and so on so I’d go, and as long as the waiting room isn’t crammed with people then it should be safe enough. We went for daughter’s diabetes check up at the hospital a few days ago, they are offering very few face to face appointments at the moment to minimise numbers of people there (we even got asked to go away and come back in 5 minutes, because we dared to arrive 10 minutes early and you are only supposed to arrive 5 minutes early, there wasn’t a soul in the waiting room so we just loitered in the corridor instead!). She hadn’t had her bloods done for nearly a year so we needed to go and felt perfectly safe. Have been to the GP a couple of times and that was really quiet too, and they always let you out of a back door now so that you don’t have to go back through the waiting room.

I can understand your concerns but please don’t neglect the rest of your health 🙂
 
I must have been over to my surgery about 10 times since March and it was all fine. Nothing to worry about.
 
Hello, Very important to get your bloods done. Can't be done remotely but the talk about the results may be done by phone. Lots of protection in place at my GP. It looks like they know what they are doing for once! The dust might take a long time to settle and there is always risk in visiting GP or hospital. We are just acutely aware of it at the moment. With the measures in place I am happier to visit than normal from a catching anything point of view. For me the risk versus need for test is high to the test but I understand this is a personal decision. Phone up ,get it done worry over for me!
 
My experience was the same as @helli You didn't get in unless you passed a temp. check and wore a mask. The person who does those checks then escorts you to the treatment room, does the necessary tests and then escorts you out. Didn't have contact with or even see any other person. Felt much safer than a trip to the surgery ever has.... we all know that, particularly at this time of year, there is a good chance of picking up someone's germs from the waiting room, but absolutely no risk of that at the moment.
I would highly recommend you go and get your blood test done.
 
Same here, I’ve been in to my GP surgery for bloods, and again for pneumococcal jab. Both times I felt like Royalty, met at the door, whisked in, (after temperature check and exhortation 'please don’t touch anything!') all doors opened for me on way in and out, procedures swiftly carried out....much better than normal when you sit in a crowded stuffy waiting room full of people coughing, wondering what you’re picking up.
 
And it's ok to be scared about going too. But yes, please keep your appointment. Your bloods need to be checked for your own health and the surgery won't be taking any risks I'm sure.
 
I think it was very wise of you to reach out for reassurance about this. I am sure we were all a bit anxious about it before we went the first time and reading of other peoples' experiences is enormously helpful in allaying that fear.
I am pleased we have been able to put your mid at rest a bit.
I would go so far as to say my GP surgery feels safer than anywhere else including perhaps even my home.
 
rebrascora said:
I think it was very wise of you to reach out for reassurance about this. I am sure we were all a bit anxious about it before we went the first time and reading of other peoples' experiences is enormously helpful in allaying that fear.
I am pleased we have been able to put your mid at rest a bit.
I would go so far as to say my GP surgery feels safer than anywhere else including perhaps even my home.
Click to expand...
I bet your home feels lovely. I imagine it to be all warm and cosy and there to be an aga in the kitchen and a horse at the back door
 
ColinUK said:
I bet your home feels lovely. I imagine it to be all warm and cosy and there to be an aga in the kitchen and a horse at the back door
Click to expand...
I am not going to shatter your illusion Colin, even if it feels disingenuous not to! X
 
rebrascora said:
I am not going to shatter your illusion Colin, even if it feels disingenuous not to!
Click to expand...
OK so the Aga is in the kitchen that Cook uses rather than your personal one
 
At our surgery you give them your make, model and colour of your car and the reg. You wait in the car and they come and get you. Temp check and hand sanitiser as well as masks
 
Forgot to say mine you use a side door and ring to get in. The car park adjacent to mine is a public car park.
 
Front door at ours, Two double doors so you wait in the 'vestibule' between them whilst 2m apart from the one on front. Give HCP name and time of appt, she ticks you off her list. Then takes your temp after instructing me to hold my hair back off my face, even though my current fringe is shorter and even wispier than my avatar photo, Then squirts your hands with a great gob of anti bac. gel and instructs you exactly which one of the 5 chairs (instead of 50 ish) you may sit in. Bit later whoever appears and calls your name and ushers you in to relevant room. Leave by the back door and walk back halfway round the building to the front where you parked since the carpark, at the back, is closed.
 
Thanks again everyone for your input, I do feel better now I have had some reassurance.

My appointment isn't for a coule of weeks yet so I am going to call the GP a few days beforehand just to check what their rules are around arriving for appointments. Don't things feel much more like a molehill and less like a mountain when you get a proper persperctive?!......damn my anxiety! 🙄
 
Hi,

Like the others I had my blood test in September. Wore a mask, 4 chairs miles apart in the waiting room, I was called in on time. Had blood taken and used the opportunity to ask some questions, have my feet checked, weighed and also have a tetanus booster. It was fine and then I went on my merry way. Job done.
 
rebrascora said:
My experience was the same as @helli You didn't get in unless you passed a temp. check and wore a mask. The person who does those checks then escorts you to the treatment room, does the necessary tests and then escorts you out. Didn't have contact with or even see any other person. Felt much safer than a trip to the surgery ever has.... we all know that, particularly at this time of year, there is a good chance of picking up someone's germs from the waiting room, but absolutely no risk of that at the moment.
I would highly recommend you go and get your blood test done.
Click to expand...
This is pretty much what happened when I went in the summer. Two or three of us were waiting outside, and we were called in one by one. It was very safe, and I didn't see any other members of staff.
 
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