Coronavirus Discussion
Comments
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Today, I have received a letter from my medical practice reminding me how important good blood pressure control is in reducing heart attacks and strokes and then goes on to say that due to the coronavirus outbreak, routine blood tests will not be taken. Furthermore, it is currently not possible for me to use the blood pressure monitor at the surgery to check my blood pressure, but advises me to consider purchasing my own blood pressure monitor and record my readings and send them in. It then goes on to advise where I can get one from and which sort to get. It would appear that the NHS is better in some parts of the country than others.
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Our local service is similar. I think its reasonable that we take our own blood pressure and record the results. If the readings suggest that you need attention then contact the doctor. This is a much better way to go on in my opinion than wasting your time going to the surgery with all that involves and getting surgery staff to deal with something so simple. Its actually a better way to monitor blood pressure as you can be consistent with your timing and ensure you are always relaxed.
The machines are quite cheap and readily available on line.
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I usually have a six monthly check up for BP and the next one should be at the end of July which I normally book myself. We have our own machine and I am happy to use that and submit results but will have to wait and see what they want me to do. My annual blood tests are not until end of January so we will have to wait and see. Might be worth looking on the British Heart Foundation's website regarding recommendations for BP machines. Some arrive calibrated for immediate use.
David
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We bought one earlier this year from our local Pharmacy, I think about £36. It certainly didn't need any calibration. Came with very comprehensive instructions on use. I would imagine like any measuring device it would need checking after a period of time to ensure it is still accurate. Perhaps take it when going for a check up and they can compare it with the one they use.
Our health centre is still doing blood tests. Although mine aren't due until October.
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We have two BP monitors and the both give the same readings within 1 mmHg so that is one way of testing them, or take yours in to the doctors to test as Steve says. I have a fitness watch which gives a good accurate heart beat but is about 10 off in the lower BP figure, but it's not meant as an accurate device.
Just out of interest I am white coat hypertensive so have to use home readings.
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We have our blood tests done at our local Urgent care centre/clinic, we get a text/phone ca ll from our surgery,to advise that they will send an electronic order to the clinic, and we just have to go at our convenience and give name and DOB
We take our own BP over several days and phone the results to the sugery (saves having white coat syndrome at surgery)
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Before my annual check I take 7/10 day AM and PM readings, put them into my simple Excel chart and print a paper copy to take down with me. I also have what appears to be this 'white coat' syndrome.
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Had similar experience when I was in hospital overnight early May. All the staff in A&E had masks ranging from full ‘Darth Vader’ to paper ones. I was transferred to a ward for overnight and very surprised by the number of staff who didn’t wear any. From the staff who wheeled me down (one in full filtered mask, the other bare faced) to the Doctor and some nurses on the ward and the receptionist. I’m not surprised that infection rates for hospital staff were high. Compulsory wearing was way overdue
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Although we have a machine I tend to rely on the Doctor as well. If he smiles and is happy so am am I. Keep taking the pills!!! My Doctor still uses the old fashioned Mercury blood pressure monitor and stethoscope although others have the automatic ones.
David
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Probably use the same IT outfit as CAMC.
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And me even less so, as I take nowt! Blood pressure gets checked occasionally, either at home or on the very odd occasion that I am called into the doctor's, and I can't remember when the last time that occurred.
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It does seem to be a major error. The split between Android and Apple phone operating systems in the UK is about 50/50. Apple may well connect very well with its own products but the way it is designed, whether accidentally or on purpose does not allow it to work well with other systems. One would have thought that this would have been known about before embarking of such a program? Perhaps they had seen that Android and Apple had already co-operated on a similar App and assumed their's would work as well? Perhaps it was the Bluetooth element that did not work so well. I know that sometimes my Android phone does not automatically pair with my car all the time.
David
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Surprised, really?!! 😂. I was pleased when our World Beating Track and Trace system was announced thinking, great they have a good plan to tackle this sensibly. Now I’m thinking that unfortunately none of the ‘powers that be’ seem to have much of a clue what they are doing. Which, frankly, is now getting quite frightening! Every proposal they have instigated seems to have been worked out on the back of a fag packet!
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They seem to have abandoned the App approach, at least until the Autumn. Concentrating instead on the manual Test and Track system which seems to be having a bit more luck although they do seem to be having an issue contacting quite a few people?
David
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Now that we have a track and trace system up and running in this country, I personally believe that it is a good idea to publicise the outbreaks of covid 19 as much as possible in the media. It makes the public aware of what is about in their local area and maybe avoid it if possible. I see there have been outbreaks in food factories in different parts of the country. Surely it is good to inform people of this. We shouldn't be concerned that this is going to cause anxiety.
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Knowledge is power👍🏻. Hiding things can lead to complacency & ignorance. I doubt industry is any better than joe public & a lot of the public are convinced it’s passed & life moves on☹️
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& lauded by folk who know little-as its proving🤷🏻♂️
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The fact they actively work against other systems, their operating systems are woefully underchecked(post Jobs) they are overpriced too😕. I was a long time supporter until recently.
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i have had an email from the local council (I am on their mailing list) highlighting a hot spot. During the out break I have had lots from them about what to do and local help available. Perhaps in order to be kept advised about local issues folk should get themselves on similar mailing lists if they are available.
peedee
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I thought the problem was known about but they hoped it could be resolved. I understood that the main issue with the Apple devices was running the App in the background, it worked fine if active, but this would have used too much power. To run it in the background would have meant Apple releasing bits of its operating system, that it was not prepared to do. This means we have an App that can establish proximity very well but can't be run effectively on their device and they have an App that will run in the background, but can't tell the difference between a phone in a pocket at 1 metre, or in someone's hand at 3 metres. Now they are working together, hooefully they can marry the two.
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I dont think Mr Hancock said "abandoned the App approach" what i heard him say was that they were hopefully going to share what we had with Apple & Google to see if we could come up with something that was an acceptable compromise, but he was adamant that whatever was rolled out whether it be in the Autumn or Winter had to work, otherwise it would not be released. Good move i thought testing it on the Isle of Wight, would have been far worse if they had released it into a wider community and then had to pull it. Writing Software for any operating system has many pitfalls and that is why most is put through a beta testing phase before general release so that the failings can be ironed out, and lets face it Micro soft still have not mastered the art of doing this after how many years ?
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