What is it like to go into hospitals right now? Is it safe to go to the hospital during COVID-19 pandemic?

My surgery's next Thursday ?and the alert level where the hospital is has just been raised. I spoke to my Consultant's PA this morning and she said that so far all is fine in the hospital, but they're getting daily updates from management and if they start having Covid cases they'll cancel non-urgent operations. So I'd assume most hospitals will be working on this basis. I have to go on Monday for a Covid test and then for the op go in on my own and no visitors while I'm there plus of course wearing a mask etc.

If it's not safe, they won't let you in.

You should take every precaution to insure YOU do what you need to so that you don't become the danger.

Good luck,

Tek

I've been in 3 times since the end of June (endoscopy, colonoscopy, VSG). Each time they were strict about wearing masks, taking everyone's temp, and sanitizing like crazy. I also had to take a covid test 4 days before each procedure. I'm not sure how often the nurses, doctors, etc test, but they all followed the required protocols and I had minimal interaction with anyone besides them so I would say in general that yes it is safe. Also one of my neighbors happens to work at a hospital and at least at his they keep covid patients on a separate floor to minimize infecting others.

It really depends on where you live and the precautions the hospital is taking. I'm having a routine procedure done next week in Massachusetts, but my town is "green" and it's considered safe enough with masks and such.

I surgery was in July, but I felt pretty safe, since they restricted visitors, and EVERYONE was wearing a mask, unlike the area I live, where there is no mandate and hardly anyone wears them.. I felt safer in the hospital than most places.

Good luck today and yes your providers have gone in more days then not since March. Health care workers are more accustomed to precautions

The hospitals seem safe and they took a lot of precaution. Best of luck with your surgery.

On 10/16/2020 at 11:12 PM, Deb9386 said:

My surgery's next Thursday ?and the alert level where the hospital is has just been raised. I spoke to my Consultant's PA this morning and she said that so far all is fine in the hospital, but they're getting daily updates from management and if they start having Covid cases they'll cancel non-urgent operations. So I'd assume most hospitals will be working on this basis. I have to go on Monday for a Covid test and then for the op go in on my own and no visitors while I'm there plus of course wearing a mask etc.

Did your surgery push through?

13 hours ago, Numbheart said:

Did your surgery push through?

Yes, it did thankfully! I went back for my 10 day check up on Monday 2nd (i.e. after the new lockdown announcement here) and my Consultant told me that they're still going to be carrying on with the private wls operations until they're told to stop. This is at the private wing of a large NHS hospital - so the private ops will be going ahead at the moment. I don't know about the wls ops on the NHS?

They're limiting it to just the patient in some hospitals where they take your temperature and make you wear a mask even during a procedure and in other hospitals they'll let one family member visit a patient, again after taking their temperature and requiring a mask.

This forum just saved me, thank you very much.

in my opinion, it's safer to stay away from hospitals for now especially if it's non-essential.