"Covid precautions inconsistent but ENT…"

Lack of questions re recent covid infections from the booking centre when the initial consultation was booked. NO questions were asked. Routine PCR test carried out 3 days prior was +ve as the infection can remain for 12 weeks although potentially not infectious. Apparently if they were aware of recent covid, PCR test would not have been booked and LFTs accepted. We had -ve LFTs but weren’t accepted due to the +ve PCR. We did not know it was +ve until we turned up for the consultation and was ABRUPTLY told to go outside. Reception staff need to be more friendly.

Anyway raised the lack of questions around covid with Q&G Mgr who confirmed that the booking centre have not asked about recent covid infections and this has now been bought to their attention.

Another consultation appointment was booked for a few weeks later. On arrival, reception staff asked if we had brought evidence of LFT results with us. I said no as didn’t know we had to bring actual evidence with us and actually where is the evidence that the lateral flow test would be ours. She provided us with LFT which we did. We went through to the amber zone and infection control was evident with staff cleaning chairs when patients were taken through the hospital. Consultation was very thorough with ENT. We agreed to the procedure and went to the team who undertake the medical assessment. Waited for approx an hour before being seen; it wasn’t busy. Staff who had returned from lunch breaks queried why the few people were waiting. There was NO evidence of chairs being cleaned when patients left. I asked about a pre op covid PCR test as my son may show as still being +ve, to be told that he would still require one and regardless of the result, would be last on the list for the day of the operation. Having a PCR test seemed to be inefficient as they had already agreed for him to be last on the list.

Op was booked in for a few weeks later, however I asked if this could be bought forward. Ops Mgr would see what she could do. It was bought forward, thank you. A colleague updated me about this and again I queried the PCR test. Was told someone would ring me, this did not materialise.

A week or so before op, I was contacted about the pre-op assessment and I asked about the PCR test, I think it was at this time that I was told that it would not be needed and to do LFTs for 3 days beforehand. I did mention that this was the first time we were told about this. On arrival for the op, we were asked about covid symptoms etc but not for evidence of LFTs so this seemed to contradict our previous appointment a few weeks prior where we were asked for evidence. They didn’t even ask if we had done them for 3 days beforehand.

Son had operation and nurse spoke to me outside about the aftercare as son wasn’t really taking it in. Thank you to the nurse, I didn’t take her name.

Overall I would recommend Practice Plus but there are quite a few inconsistencies with covid precautions that need to be resolved.