Routine blood tests during COVID

Hi Sarah/ , I can understand your worry, in these times I think I’m more apprehensive about the virus than my own cancer, and it’s been a time to wonder about which needs to take priority first and it’s different for everyone. I needed to have a blood test and instead of going into hospital as usual I had to go to a different surgery than normal where they strictly adhered to a one in one out structure with only 3 people in a large waiting room to keep social distancing, however you know that the nurse taking blood will have to be right next to you. A district nurse coming to a house means that your Dad won’t have to do any travelling or mix with any other patients.

I am not really sure what suggestions you might be after,  the drs advise if it’s best to delay treatment (or tests) to avoid the peak of the virus, or goes through the benefits and risks for the patient to decide, sometimes there is no best solution. So if having the district nurse come to the house is best I am sure they will have made things as safe as they can be and you have to cope with any uncertainty you might have. I can imagine that surfaces in the house door handles etc are being wiped down daily, and I’d want to do that again after any visitor to the door or in this case a rare visit to the house. 

The NHS Coronavirus links have info on coping emotionally and the Macmillan info has a section on coping emotionally, I’ve put a link in but you have to scroll down quite far.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus/home-isolation-advice-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak#staying_in_touch_with_family_and_friends

I hope some of this helps.

Thanks for your reply , we have spoke to Dads doctor, they have decided the practise nurse will come out to his car and take his blood.  Its such a worry for everyone at the mo , stay safe .