• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Type 1 key workers??

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
N

Nao

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I am a nurse with type 1.. I work in an outpatient setting right now and can do a lot of telephone work with patients.
My manager has risk assessed me and has told me that I should be ok to be redployed to work on a ward if the need arises..
I have contacted OH, who originally said that as it is impossible to practice social distancing so that was not acceptable, now they back tracked.. I have contacted my union who were supporting me but I am conflicted. I want to help out but don't want to put myself at risk..

Can I ask if there are any other key workers who are not being supported by manager with social distancing? Also, I don't know how risky it is? My HbA1c is 7.6% so not too bad..

Thanks
 
Welcome to the forum @Nao

Thank you for all that you have already been doing to keep things going.

Your issue is a difficult one. I am retired so have not needed to address this issue, and I can understand your concern. We are no more likely to catch the virus, but as I am sure you know, if we did it just means a battle with glucose levels added into the mix.

There are others on here with T1 who are working in other fields, such as @Stitch147 , and she may be able to offer more useful advice. @Josh DUK or @LucyDUK at Diabetes UK May know more about the legal side of things.

Sorry not to be able to help more than that.
 
Thanks SB2015, appreciate your reply. I know it's difficult. I've heard through a colleague that T1 are at more risk of developing DKA..my diabetes team texted yesterday saying this was not the time to come into hospital lol

I guess I am just confused as it seems gov.uk advise applies to everyone except frontline workers...
 
I am tpe 2 blood sugar has been good untill last year was up on my yearly check but may have been due to stress as nearly lost my husband who is now type 1 he went into DKA after flu, i work in a ambulance control room sending a and e ambulances out, work with about 100 people in the building, we are not the recommended distance apart im so worried, not just for me but taking anything home to my husband who is 70 im 53 been married 24 years this years, so anxious had to fill a form in for our Occy health my manager wrote on it low risk so have to work not heard form OH yet and not heard from my doctors surgery im just so worried.

I know i am a frontline worker, but i just feel we dont matter much, they go on about the frontline workers in hospitals, which quite rightly should be protected etc but what about those behind the scene s
 
Jan1967 said:
I am tpe 2 blood sugar has been good untill last year was up on my yearly check but may have been due to stress as nearly lost my husband who is now type 1 he went into DKA after flu, i work in a ambulance control room sending a and e ambulances out, work with about 100 people in the building, we are not the recommended distance apart im so worried, not just for me but taking anything home to my husband who is 70 im 53 been married 24 years this years, so anxious had to fill a form in for our Occy health my manager wrote on it low risk so have to work not heard form OH yet and not heard from my doctors surgery im just so worried.

I know i am a frontline worker, but i just feel we dont matter much, they go on about the frontline workers in hospitals, which quite rightly should be protected etc but what about those behind the scene s
Click to expand...
I am concerned that you say 'we are not the recommended distance apart' During my visits to the regional county hospital over the past four weeks, from a patient's point of view, the hospital has tightened up on protective measures including distancing measures in waiting rooms and ALL staff with full PPE. You literally had to move about otherwise you would be sanitised like the furniture and fittings.
Personally I would secretly photo the control room showing the lack of social distancing and send it to the media to shame the hierarchy into changes. It is in everyone's interest to take as many measures as possible to minimise spread of this disease. You may not be directly on the front line dealing hands on with patients but I assure you that each and everyone of you key workers DO matter to the general public and we owe you a great debt of gratitude for the risks you take. Thankyou.
 
Thanks Davein I have contacted my union just for some information still awaiting a reply you take care too
 
I would have thought that if you cannot be appropriately distanced in the control room then they should install screens similar to those at supermarket checkouts.
 
@Nao hello and welcome to the forum.

I can see why you are conflicted, it’s a tricky position to be in and you are right to be thinking about your own health as that is no less important because of the pandemic. My son had a telephone out patient appointment this week and it was so important to maintain this and for him to know his existing health was still being monitored during this time. So thank you, what you and your colleagues are doing remotely is really appreciated.

As it stands, you are right that the advice is to practice social distancing measures as much as possible if you must attend work, but to work remotely/from home if possible. For roles where this is not possible the advice is to follow stringent hygiene routines, washing hands, not touching face etc, as you probably would anyway on a hospital ward.

Diabetes UK have had similar enquiries in recent weeks from other HCP and caring professionals so you are not the only one to be conflicted between their role and their own health at the moment.

Unfortunately there is no more specific guidance for front line workers, but it is good that your union are supportive of your concerns and hopefully will be able to help you come to an acceptable arrangement.
 
Hello @Nao welcome to the forum.

A difficult situation for you and hubby stick with your union and take their advise. I hope you can get a result that suits you both and thank you so much for your frontline work, please take care and above all stay safe.
 
Nao said:
I am a nurse with type 1.. I work in an outpatient setting right now and can do a lot of telephone work with patients.
My manager has risk assessed me and has told me that I should be ok to be redployed to work on a ward if the need arises..
I have contacted OH, who originally said that as it is impossible to practice social distancing so that was not acceptable, now they back tracked.. I have contacted my union who were supporting me but I am conflicted. I want to help out but don't want to put myself at risk..

Can I ask if there are any other key workers who are not being supported by manager with social distancing? Also, I don't know how risky it is? My HbA1c is 7.6% so not too bad..

Thanks
Click to expand...
Your Amazing thank you
 
LucyDUK said:
@Nao hello and welcome to the forum.

I can why you are conflicted, it’s a tricky position to be in and you are right to be thinking about your own health as that is no less important because of the pandemic. My son had a telephone out patient appointment this week and it was so important to maintain this and for him to know his existing health was still being monitored during this time. So thank you, what you and your colleagues are doing remotely is really appreciated.

As it stands, you are right that the advice is to practice social distancing measures as much as possible if you must attend work, but to work remotely/from home if possible. For roles where this is not possible the advice is to follow stringent hygiene routines, washing hands, not touching face etc, as you probably would anyway on a hospital ward.

Diabetes UK have had similar enquiries in recent weeks from other HCP and caring professionals so you are not the only one to be conflicted between their role and their own health at the moment.

Unfortunately there is no more specific guidance for front line workers, but it is good that your union are supportive of your concerns and hopefully will be able to help you come to an acceptable arrangement.
Click to expand...
Hi Lucy

Thanks very much for your reply and information, I really appreciate it. It is a confusing and stressful time. I guess I will have to decide what is best for me.

Thanks again

Naomi
 
Until keeping people safe from infection becomes a priority there is no way we can win against the virus - isolation, protection, and some plain common sense is the only way to cope.
 
Jan1967 said:
I am tpe 2 blood sugar has been good untill last year was up on my yearly check but may have been due to stress as nearly lost my husband who is now type 1 he went into DKA after flu, i work in a ambulance control room sending a and e ambulances out, work with about 100 people in the building, we are not the recommended distance apart im so worried, not just for me but taking anything home to my husband who is 70 im 53 been married 24 years this years, so anxious had to fill a form in for our Occy health my manager wrote on it low risk so have to work not heard form OH yet and not heard from my doctors surgery im just so worried.

I know i am a frontline worker, but i just feel we dont matter much, they go on about the frontline workers in hospitals, which quite rightly should be protected etc but what about those behind the scene s
Click to expand...
I would like to also add that maybe you're classed as low risk if the OH at the NHS is comparing your risk to others in the service such as front line doctors and nurses. Totally bizarre and unjustified that you are expected to abandon distancing rules at work and yet obey them all other times.
What happens when one of you tests positive? Will they send your whole shift home and have to sanitise the whole building? Perhaps they'll then leave a recorded message when we dial 999.
" We are currently unavailable, please leave your name and number and we'll get back to you as soon as possible"
If they won't look after you then what chance do we stand.
 
Davein said:
I would like to also add that maybe you're classed as low risk if the OH at the NHS is comparing your risk to others in the service such as front line doctors and nurses. Totally bizarre and unjustified that you are expected to abandon distancing rules at work and yet obey them all other times.
What happens when one of you tests positive? Will they send your whole shift home and have to sanitise the whole building? Perhaps they'll then leave a recorded message when we dial 999.
" We are currently unavailable, please leave your name and number and we'll get back to you as soon as possible"
If they won't look after you then what chance do we stand.
Click to expand...
I know sometimes i feel selfish but i am honestly having sleepless nights when in, more concerned for my hubby but im telling myself see what happens and get a grip as they say, hard though sometimes, I will await what union says and my own Occuy health department thanks
 
Nao said:
I am a nurse with type 1.. I work in an outpatient setting right now and can do a lot of telephone work with patients.
My manager has risk assessed me and has told me that I should be ok to be redployed to work on a ward if the need arises..
I have contacted OH, who originally said that as it is impossible to practice social distancing so that was not acceptable, now they back tracked.. I have contacted my union who were supporting me but I am conflicted. I want to help out but don't want to put myself at risk..

Can I ask if there are any other key workers who are not being supported by manager with social distancing? Also, I don't know how risky it is? My HbA1c is 7.6% so not too bad..

Thanks
Click to expand...

You sound like you have really good control, good take care x
 
I can't offer any advice Nao but I really hope it gets sorted out in the safest way as soon as possible.
 
Hello there.

I am in a similar position (NHS). I have been able to work from home so far but have been called into a meeting this Tuesday, as there is now talk of us being redeployed elsewhere within the service. I work in training and don't have a clinical role, but obviously help may be needed in other areas. (Talk of inpatient facilities). I would like to help, but I'm also aware of my own health and feel conflicted like yourself. It's a tough one.
 
Hi Lizzy

It's really tough. As the hospital I work in is now treating all patients as being potentially infectious with covid, it was agreed that I won't work on the wards, as social distancing is impossible. I can do a lot of work via telephone consultations. It's hard as I want to do my bit, but as someone rightly said to me- better to stay well and try not to take up a hospital bed if god forbid I get sick.
Hope it all works out ok for you!
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top