"Enforcing covid restrictions"

I attended maternity scan yesterday for a routine growth scan and feel I need to write this on behalf of the staff following what I witnessed. I am a health care professional myself and was truly disgusted at the way staff were spoken to in regards to covid restrictions within the hospital setting. The behaviour of those involved was completely unacceptable, abusive and aggressive to say the least.

I sat in the waiting area and could hear them screaming at staff from the other end of the corridor, despite being out of sight. I am aware people will have a difference of opinions when it comes to covid and the restrictions in place but when attending for hospital appointments it should be respected that most people attending a hospital are there because they are vulnerable making them more at risk. From the main entrance until I got to the scan department I passed several people without a mask, granted they could be exempt which I completely understand but I feel this could be policed more within the hospital.

The issue wasn’t that the person themself wasn’t wearing a mask but the person with them wasn’t able to as they were also exempt. I think it should be made much clearer prior to any appointment that the person attending hospital with you must be able to wear a face covering to reduce the risk to others, pregnant women and staff. There should be a zero tolerance level to this behaviour, especially in regards to mask wearing and staff/patients should not have to be subjected to this.