I have a routine appointment scheduled for one of my children soon and would like to hear of others' experiences in the hospital setting. I have never worn a mask and never intend to... just wondering if I will be black-mailed by NHS staff to wear one; the consequence being they won't honour the appointment if I don't?
Hi - you could try phoning them and asking what their policy is - my experience is that i have been denied treatment on the basis that I do not wish to comply with their policy - being wear a mask, have temperature taken and have covid test - I have now written to them stating their policy is in breach of 2010 Equality Act - no reply - they are not interested in people with exemptions - you may find differently.
In the main hospital in Exeter I was told to wear a mask but then 3 weeks later in the Womens heath centre attached to the main hospital but with its own entrance, no one on the door, I had no mask and no on asked me or seemed to care, saw the nurse, close up and personal, saw the consultant, no question asked, masks not mentioned. then home again on the bus, sans mask. A good day.
There has been an article today in the Mail stating that GP must not refuse care for refusal to wear mask, I don't know how reliable the information is; would probably have to dig for the source document on the Internet.
I had to take my eight year old for a blood test so i did a google search for the exemption which says wearing a mask causes me severe anxiety please support me and i screenshot it and showed it and it worked! They tried to push a visor on me and i said "really??!!"and they backed off!!
Good on you Miriam Dennis!
truthisfreedom - I might have been able to answer your question as I had a hospital appointment in a few days time. Unfortunately, it has been cancelled again like the last one, but I have the opportunity to talk to somebody on the phone. How can you examine somebody who has huge multiple cysts in all their internal organs on the phone?? Haven't seen a human being in the NHS for months now, and probably never will.
If it is any help I know someone who has attended several times without mask, but with exemption and no hassle. I know it isn't the same but I attended the dentist today I did without mask - however I am exempt also.
p.s. In both cases mentioned above they were told in advance about the exemption - that may have swung it.
I had a hospital appt on Monday and I rang them as to their procedures they said no exemptions everyone must wear a mask/ face covering. So I took a face shield with me. When I got to reception the woman said I should wear a mask as well, to which I said I couldn't, she asked if I had breathing problems, so I said yes, and she waved me through. Everyone else I saw were wearing masks although most of them were staff hardly any patients.
Thank you all so much, this is all very helpful!
Something else I didn't mention - If one suffers from 'syncope' - fainting / sudden loss of consciousness then they really don't like people wearing masks. Except weirdly enough when you are giving blood in England ( but not Wales or Scotland) - go figure!
My interpretation may be incorrect on this (please correct me if so), but in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place) (England) Regulations 2020, PART 2 Exemptions from definition of shop - regulation 2(2), SCHEDULE 2 Regulation 2(2) Exemptions from definition of shop.........
It states the following:
1. Premises (other than registered pharmacies) providing wholly or mainly medical or dental services, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractic, osteopathic, optometry or other medical services including services relating to mental health.
This implies to me that a hospital, which is a premises providing wholly or mainly medical services, is exempt. Hospitals are 'enforcing' government guidance, not regulations.