Would you go for a blood test?

I agree Bluecat it's weighing the risk, but it's also crucial that people are not put off and frightened and fail to attend for crucial blood and diagnostic tests, for which the outcome could be serious if neglected.

There seems generally to be responsible preventive care taken in clinical settings for such treatments.

My OH who is diabetic is due for a blood test in a week or so . He has discussed it with our GP and she said talk to the nurse again just before you come.

Although he has not got a letter from the government he is quite vulnerable because of age and many pre-existing conditions. It may be possible for him to have the blood test while sitting in his car outside of the GP surgery.

I’m so glad this thread came up.. I was prescribed Sulfasalazine in January, by my rheumatologist at the hospital. It helps with the rheumatoid arthritis In my ankle by suppressing the immune system. I have to have regular blood tests as this medication can cause severe side effects, such as liver and kidney damage. All was going well until March, when Coronavirus took hold and we went into lockdown. Now I’m torn.. do I carry on with the medication which a) suppresses my immune system (making me more prone to the virus and b) meaning I have to go to hospital for blood tests regularly? Risking getting infected in the process? Or should I just stop taking the pills? Which means I’m in agony and can’t walk? Tried ringing the hospital but obviously no reply. My GP can’t really help either, says it’s ‘my choice’ as to what I should do..

Ps.. My doctor’s surgery does not do blood tests..

I went for one last week. I had to ring the buzzer at my surgery, and a receptionist came over the intercom. She told me to wait in my car, and when the nurse came out to get me, she was in full PPE. I went into a back door, and into the first room. She wiped everything down before and after. She gave me a mask, and sprayed my hands. All very safely carried out.

My mother had to go to our local hospital for an eye injection as she has wet macular degeneration. As she is 97 she decided to delay her last appointment but her eye started to bother her so we rebooked her appointment. There were only 2 other patients in the unit, all the staff had PPE on and from what I understand they took every precaution.
I then tried to book her in for her Vit B12 injection only to be told the surgery aren't doing them for the foreseeable and to phone back in a month. Can't say I was very happy as I thought something like that was important. Interesting to read that some on here have had their injections, wonder why some surgeries are allowing them and others aren't

My surgery isn't even open yet

I'm going on Tuesday. It's a medication review, and I've been told it is important, so I'm going.

I will be met at the door and escorted to a consulting room, which will, apparently, be aired and sanitised between patients, hand sanitiser will be available, and the nurse will wear a mask. I don't have a mask (I haven't been out since this started), but will put a scarf over my nose and mouth if the one I ordered online hasn't turned up in time. Appointments are being staggered so that there is less chance of my meeting another patient.

I'm a little bit wary, but that's largely because I haven't crossed the doors since the week before the official 'lockdown'. I'm sure that the surgery will be as safe as it gets.

Thanks for your post.
I'm in the same situation as planning to phone doctor's surgery today as I'm due a medical review and I normally have a blood test done about a fortnight before. I'll see what they say.
I suspect that it's safer to have it done now than a few weeks from now when the results of isolation easing may be becoming apparent.

Got an appointment for one this morning and not worried at all.