Attending hospital with flu!

I'm sorry this happened to you Dee and I think you're right to be annoyed. He should have been asked to wear a mask (he should have done so automatically without having to be asked), and it's especially bad management by the nurse when he was surrounded by vulnerable people.

Yes I would, but I would also make sure that I had my mask with me in future.
It really isn’t good enough is it?

I’m not trying to be disrespectful but please take responsibility at all times in this new climate that we must all adjust to. If you feel you may be vulnerable then wear a mask. Don’t wait for anyone else to cover up, I wouldn’t trust them.

I think he should have contacted the clinic to let them now he was ill and then taken their advice. It would have only taken one sneeze to infect those nearest to him.

everyone should be wearing a mask in a healthcare setting, inc the staff.

A friend was infected with Covid in A&E the day before a massive heart operation. By the time they found out, he was already under the knife. He had to be put in a coma for a long time, so he would not cough, and he nearly did not make it. So so wrong!

I'm so sorry that you had that experience Dee and yes I think that I would want to 'raise concerns', I do hope that he hasn't infected you

It was wrong he didn't have a mask. He might not have had flu though. You don't actually know that. DGS1 has been admitted twice and been very poorly with flu - had swabs taken and x ray and has streaks on his lung. He is still not well and very pale and tired. Not well enough to go back to school today. He saw the Bells in at AE with his Daddy. During both admissions everyone was masked so I don't understand why people wouldn't be wearing masks in hospital. Hope you haven't caught anything.

Something that should be brought to the attn of the hospital management definitely. It’s reasonable to assume they should apply common sense.

I would have kicked up a big fuss, at the time, and demanded a move for myself - to a safer place. If you don't complain, nothing ever changes. Still, an official complaint, copying in your GP, will be something.

He should have been wearing a mask or been provided with one especially since he was coughing in a confined space. Makes me angry. Noticed today more people back to wearing them in public places.

I absolutely agree he should have been asked to wear a mask. I visit hospitals regularly and it’s now some do and some don’t wear masks. The problem is that unless everyone is wearing protection a mask doesn’t really stop you getting infected. I got covid from a supermarket and was double masked with gloves on. Sadly others weren’t including staff.

While I was in hospital , I was moved to a different ward which had a big notice that Norovirus was present. I’m immuno suppressed so I told the nurse and she was very shirty with me. I was terrified (still am) that I’ll get something I can’t shake off.

I work as a volunteer at our local hospital and we have had to wear masks again for a few months now and as far as I know it is enforced where people attend clinics. I would have felt uncomfortable in the presence of someone coughing and sneezing as well.

Dee1012 and Coco51 that must have been terrifying. As others have said, there seems to be much less mask wearing even in medical settings; I don't know whether it is because there are not enough being provided or whether it is a feeling that they are not needed any more, which they clearly are.

I also have a low immune system due to taking medication and attend hospital regularly. I was there on Friday and most people picked up and wore a face mask but we did have a couple that didn’t. I believe it should be compulsory to wear one in any medical setting hospital dentist etc. the bug you describing he had sounds like the one I had i didn’t go outside for nearly two weeks and I had a dentist appointment and rang and cancelled it because I didn’t want to spread it on. I don’t wear a mask anywhere else though lol

I had a GP appointment yesterday. Those not wearing a mask were handed one to wear when they cheked in.
Entering a medical facility, coughing and sputtering without a mask, is totally selfish, when there may be vulnerable patients sitting in close proximity..

That’s dreadful . I think it should be mandatory to at least wear masks in hospital at the moment .

I can understand your concern. He shouldn’t have been attending in that condition. It wasn’t fair on everyone else. He should have been sat well away from other people and made to wear a mask.

This type of irresponsible behaviour is a pet hate of mine and makes me really angry. Why didn't the man speak to the staff on arrival to explain his situation - finding him a more isolated position couldn't have been difficult surely?
It also annoys me when the staff do the rounds on a ward taking basic obs - BP, pulse etc - and the fail to wipe the equipment between patients. I have only ever seen this happen once and I commented on it to the Care Assistant at the time. He replied "we should all do that, it is part of basic training" .
No wonder so many bugs and infections get passed around in hospitals.

If it’s any consolation, it probably wasn’t flu. There is a really nasty cold / cough going around and it lasts more than 3 weeks. My husband has it and coughs until he’s nearly sick. No temperature or shivers and not covid. We’ve spent a fortune on throat sweets, cough medicine and night nurse! Nevertheless, I do agree he should have been isolated- I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Even exposure to a cold can be dangerous for those of us who have COPD and are immunocompromised.
The patient should have been in a side room.

An awfuk situation to be in. I have recently been in unavoidable situations with people with very bad colds but have mitigated the problem with using First Defence nasal spray. As I have COPD and find a mask difficult I now use it every time I am going to a crowded place, e.g. a supermarket, as yet I have managed to stave off any infections. It may be worth a try.

It's now government advice to use masks in public places if you are unwell, and we are constantly being implored to be careful because hospitals are getting overwhelmed.
Naturally, we all want to avoid illness if we can, in any case.

So I say you should definitely complain and tell them they should insist on mask wearing in the hospital, to protect everyone.