Coronavirus (COVID-19)

From Monday 30^th November, Saint Mary’s Hospital will reintroduce partners attendance to all antenatal ultrasound scans, in line with current NHS Midwifery recommendations.

For pregnant women, this means that partners will be able to be present for all scans across Saint Mary’s sites at Oxford Road, Wythenshawe and North Manchester from the following dates;

• 30^th November 2020:  All scans at Oxford Road, Wythenshawe Hospital and Trafford General Hospital
• 1^st December 2020: Dating Scans at North Manchester General Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital
• 7^th December 2020: All scans at North Manchester General Hospital and Fairfield General Hospital

The Trust first implemented an Interim Visiting Policy in March 2020, and updated it in July 2020. This policy has now been updated further to take account of recent regional, national and professional guidance along with changes to restrictions. The aim of the policy is to protect patients, staff and visitors by minimising the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by reducing footfall in our hospitals and community inpatient areas.

We recognise that maintaining contact with friends and family during a hospital admission is very important to our patients and their loved ones. In order to support patients to maintain contact with loved ones, the option of virtual visiting will be offered regularly to all inpatients. We have also introduced Letters to Loved Ones at Wythenshawe Hospital and Trafford General Hospital.

Our policy enables specific identified needs to be taken into account, such as end of life care, cognitive impairment, learning disability/autism and visual or auditory impairment. The specific needs of women in labour, neonates and children are also recognised within the policy. Where there is a specific identified need, agreed named visitors may be permitted as set out in the policy. Essential visitors who meet a specific, identified care or communication need should not be counted as named visitors. Patients with identified specific needs must be reviewed by the senior clinician and Ward Manager or Matron on the day of admission and daily thereafter to determine the appropriate visiting arrangements.

Key points are set out below for ease of reference:

• Visiting is not permitted for adult patients with an admission period of fewer than 7 days, (unless the patient has a specific identified need). If the level of risk for the area is assessed as low, the senior clinician and Ward Manager may agree one named visitor who may visit at pre-arranged times for patients whose admission exceeds 7 days.  Any permitted visiting will be time restricted and must be arranged in advance with the Ward Manager/Nurse in Charge.
• Patients who need to attend face to face outpatient appointments should be encouraged to attend alone where possible. Patients who need to be accompanied may bring one person to their appointment.
• One parent/named family member may be resident with a child in hospital. Parents who live in the same household can swap places. If a child’s admission exceeds 7 days and the level of risk is assessed as low, one named visitor, in addition to the resident parent may visit at a pre-arranged time for a defined time period, if this is assessed as necessary and can be safely accommodated.
• For babies cared for in Neonatal Intensive Care areas, both parents may visit together for the first 24 hours of admission, after which one parent may stay with their baby.
• One essential visitor and one named birth partner are permitted to accompany a woman in the Delivery Units/Birth Centre. Without exception, the essential visitor/named birth partner must wear PPE as appropriate.
• One essential visitor/named visitor is permitted to visit women in maternity wards.
• Women can be accompanied by one named adult in maternity triage and throughout their antenatal care. One named person may accompany a woman to all pregnancy scans.
• Children (aged below 16 years) are not permitted to visit unless the patient is receiving end of life care and it is assessed by the senior clinician and Ward Manager/Nurse in Charge as appropriate for a child to visit accompanied and supported by a named adult visitor, and a visit can be safely accommodated.

Staff are asked to ensure that patients and their loved ones are aware of the policy and the changes that are effective from today. Anyone who meets the restricted criteria to visit a patient must be made aware of hand hygiene on arrival and must wear PPE as appropriate.

In order to protect our patients and staff, visitors who refuse to comply with these requirements must be asked to leave the Trust’s premises.

Visitors must be advised not to visit any Trust premises if they are unwell, have symptoms associated with COVID-19 or have had contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case. Visitors who are at risk of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions or being over the age of 70 should also be advised not to visit.

We will continue to review the policy in the context of national/regional guidance, COVID-19 infection rates and restrictions.

For information on virtual visiting, please click here. 

We are currently undertaking a review of all patients on our waiting list for planned surgery. This is part of a national review instructed by NHSI/E. The need to create capacity to care for COVID-19 patients at MFT led to the postponement of non-emergency care, meaning that our waiting lists have grown and it will take some time before services fully recover.

Our clinical teams have reviewed our waiting lists to ensure that patients with the greatest need are treated first. We now need to validate, or confirm, our information by contacting patients to understand their circumstances and if they wish to remain on our waiting list for surgery.

We are contacting patients in phases, by text message and letter, asking them to let MFT know their preference regarding their surgery. By reviewing our waiting list and gathering this information we can ensure that we understand your most up to date medical needs and agree our next steps, whilst we prioritise treatment for our most clinically urgent patients.

We are sorry that your treatment has been delayed and we would like to thank you for your continued patience and support during this difficult time.

Here you will find a link to an Easy Read version of the letter and alternative language versions https://mft.nhs.uk/waiting-list-review-patient-letters/

In the light of increased pressure on hospital services due to COVID-19 and the requirement for capacity to treat emergency patients, some elective ( planned ) activity at hospitals in Greater Manchester (GM) is regrettably being paused. This includes some of our hospitals and services at MFT. This allows us to continue to treat all patients attending who require emergency and lifesaving treatment at the same time.

Patients affected by the decision will be contacted and supported at this difficult time. This will be reviewed on a regular basis and procedures will resume as soon as possible.

Urgent and emergency care, including cancer treatment and operations will continue as normal and it’s important that anyone with concerns continues to come forward for help and treatment.

The pause of planned care will affect a range of adult inpatient specialties, however a range of our specialist services will continue as normal.

In summary:

• We will protect the specialised commissioned work which occurs in our hospitals including but not limited to Cancer, Cardiac Services, Vascular Surgery, Transplantation; and services where we provide regional services (e.g. Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and University Dental Hospital of Manchester).These services will continue.
• Trafford General Hospital will cease all elective operations as part of the above
• Bed capacity for emergency patients is being expanded at our Manchester Royal Infirmary and Wythenshawe Hospital sites
• Our Diagnostic services including Endoscopy, X-ray and the majority of our out-patient services will remain unaffected.

These steps are required to provide:

• The medical, therapist and nursing cover to the expanded critical care bed base which we need to manage COVID and other patients
• Safe ward staffing of general and acute beds

We know many people waiting for treatment will be concerned and disappointed, and we apologise to you for this.

Our hospitals and services will be contacting everyone affected by cancellations as soon as possible with more information on next steps.

We will keep the situation under review and planned care services will be restored as soon as possible.

Patient FAQs

Service changes in response to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) has made a number of temporary changes to the way in which services are delivered.

This is to ensure that:

• There is enough capacity to treat patients with COVID-19
• We are able to continue to treat as many patients as possible – both emergency patients and those with elective, or planned, appointments and procedures
• We are doing everything we can to minimise the spread of the virus.

A number of temporary service changes are currently underway, as follows:

Cardiac services

All MFT patients who require elective cardiac surgery will be treated at Wythenshawe Hospital and patients who require urgent or emergency surgery will continue to be treated at both Wythenshawe Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary. Also, elective cardiology patients who require an overnight stay will be treated at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Trauma and Orthopaedics

The fracture clinic at Trafford Hospital has been closed for face to face appointments, with patients being seen via virtual clinics.

The fractured neck of femur (hip) service has transferred from Manchester Royal Infirmary to the dedicated Neck of femur unit based at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Non-complex orthopaedic planned procedures have moved from Wythenshawe Hospital to Trafford General Hospital.

Stroke services

Stroke rehabilitation services at Wythenshawe Hospital have been re-located to Trafford Hospital.

Vascular surgery

All vascular inpatient services have been transferred from Wythenshawe Hospital to Manchester Royal Infirmary and, including emergency and elective surgery. Outpatient services will remain at both sites.

Head and Neck surgery

Head and neck cancer patients from North Manchester General Hospital are now receiving their surgery on the Manchester Royal Infirmary site.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

All elective gynaecology patients from across MFT are being seen at Saint Mary’s Hospital.

All emergency gynaecology services, including emergency surgery and early pregnancy assessment services, are taking place at Wythenshawe Hospital.

There is now a single ambulatory diagnostic and treatment service at the Oxford Road site, bringing together services that were previously run separately from Trafford, Wythenshawe and Oxford Road.

General gynaecology outpatient services will be provided from Withington Community Hospital.

Community midwifery services are relocating to Borchardt Medical Centre in Withington with antenatal clinics being run from Trafford Hospital.

Altrincham Minor Injuries Unit

The minor injuries unit has temporarily been closed with activity redirected to our MRI, Trafford and Wythenshawe hospitals.

Dermatology services at Trafford

Dermatology services delivered at Trafford General Hospital have now relocated to join the service at Withington Community Hospital.

Trafford non-elective activity

Emergency admissions to Trafford have stopped from early October with activity redirected to other MFT hospital sites.

Urgent Care Centre/Walk-in Centre at Trafford General Hospital

There is now an appointment-based system for the Urgent Care Centre and Walk-in Centre at Trafford General Hospital. All patients will need to make an appointment before they arrive by dialling 111.

Independent Sector

As part of national NHS and other local arrangements we are also using Independent Sector facilities for a number of services to ensure patients are seen more quickly.

Waiting for Hospital Treatment

• From March 2020, the UK has been responding to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, which has had a major effect on NHS services. The need to create capacity to care for COVID-19 patients led to the postponement of non-emergency care to treat patients who were critically ill with the virus.
• From June 2020, the NHS has been working as quickly as possible to re-introduce routine care, including diagnostic procedures and operations. Our activity levels are now close to being back to normal, however waiting lists have grown and it will take some time before services fully recover.
• If you are having treatment or waiting for treatment, we want to keep you updated so you understand why there are delays. We will also keep you informed about what to expect regarding your own care and how long you may have to wait.
• Your safety is our first priority so we have robust infection control measures in place, including creating separate areas in the hospital for COVID-19 patients and those who do not have the virus; regular deep cleaning; effective use of personal protective equipment for staff, patients and visitors; testing staff and patients for COVID-19.

NHS hospitals are now as safe from Covid-19 as they can be, with strict infection controls to protect you. There could be serious risks to your health if you miss an appointment.Thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

When will I get the treatment I need?

Our teams are working hard to ensure that patients are seen as quickly as possible. Our activity levels are now close to being back to normal, however waiting lists have grown.
If you were on a waiting list before the COVID-19 outbreak, you will still be on a waiting list, unless we have written to you to advise you differently. GPs have continued to refer patients for hospital treatment and they have been added to hospital waiting lists.
Clinicians are going through waiting lists very carefully and patients will be seen depending on the state of their health. People with the greatest need will be seen first, followed by those who have been waiting longest. The lists will be reviewed regularly as we know some people’s conditions could deteriorate, so whereas they might not have been a priority to start with, that could change while they are waiting.
If we need to make any changes to your appointment we will try to let you know well in advance and we will try not to cancel or postpone any appointments or procedures that have been booked.

Why do I have to wait longer for my treatment?

Throughout the NHS, teams have adapted how they work to meet new Infection Prevention and Control requirements so services are provided in a safe environment. We have introduced a number of additional processes to protect staff and patients:

• We are following social distancing guidance. This means that patients are more spaced out on wards and in other hospital facilities, which reduces the number of people who can be treated at any one time.
• We have increased infection control and deep cleaning measures. COVID-19 is highly infectious and is spread by droplets caused by coughing, sneezing and talking. In hospitals we do many procedures which release airborne droplets that can linger on surfaces for up to three days. For example, the air in theatres has to be changed between procedures, which is time-consuming and reduces the number of patients who can be treated.
• We have clear guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep staff and patients safe. We have to ensure we have enough and the right type of PPE. The time required to take PPE on and off also creates delays.
• The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in hospital is currently very small, however hospitals need to retain some capacity to deal with an unpredictable number of COVID-19 cases in the months ahead.

In addition, there will be a small number of staff at any one time who need to self isolate. Fewer staff means we can’t look after as many patients as before, or hold as many clinics.

What are you doing to reduce waiting times?

Our activity levels are now close to being back to normal, however waiting lists have grown and it will take some time before services fully recover.
Local hospitals are working together to do everything they can. COVID-19 has changed the way we work and constrained our capacity to treat as many patients as before the pandemic.
Where possible, we are using video and telephone consultations, to increase the numbers of patients we can treat and also to reduce the need for patients to visit hospital.
We are also working with the independent hospital sector to send some NHS patients to local independent hospitals for tests and less complex procedures.
Hospitals are working together across Cheshire and Merseyside to maximise our resources, such as making available specialist equipment and staff. This means that patients who are prioritised may be asked to go to another hospital for quicker treatment.

How will we keep you informed?

We are sorry that you may have to wait longer for your treatment.
We will keep you informed and appreciate your patience and understanding during the next few weeks and months.
We will work with your GP practice to ensure that we communicate with you about your care, how long you will wait and who to contact in the event that your circumstances change.
Please sign up to our social media channels and view our website for general updates.

You must NOT attend an appointment if you or any member of your household are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are self-isolating. If this applies to you, please contact your GP practice so that you can reschedule your appointment for a different time.

To help prepare hospital for outpatients we have made changes to how we care for our patients and included what you should do onsite below:

Please arrive at the hospital in the same manner as you would normally do so. Entrances to the hospital may be restricted, please follow guidance upon arrival at the hospital. You will see signage and security based around the site that can assist you if you are unsure.

When entering the hospital you will need to wear a face covering. Paper masks will be available and handed out at hospital entrances if you do not have your own.

If you arrive early please wait to enter the hospital until 10 minutes before your appointment. This helps reduce the total number of people in the hospital at any one time to support social distancing measures.

Please attend the appointment on your own, unless you have a carer. Children attending may do so with one parent or guardian.

If driven to hospital by a relative or friend, they will not be allowed to accompany you to your appointment unless they are also your carer.

When in the hospital you may see screens at receptions and fewer seats in waiting room areas, these changes are to support social distancing measures.

Whilst the on-site shops may be open for refreshments, many cafes are still closed. We would recommend bringing your own food and drink if required.

Upon arrival at your appointment we will screen you for COVID-19, which will involve a number of questions around COVID-19 symptoms.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have had contact with an individual with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the last 7 days, please do not attend the outpatient appointment and instead contact us so that a clinical decision can be made.

Due to the COVID-19 response, our service will have a reduced number of appointments available. If you choose not to attend your appointment, please contact us. It is helpful for us to know why so we can help with any concerns you might have. If you still do not wish to attend, we can offer it to someone else.

Outpatient appointments

• Seats that should not be used have a note on them, allowing us to keep a safe distance between patients.
• Don’t turn up more than 10 minutes before your appointment
• Only people that have an appointment should attend – unless they have specific care needs that require additional support or are a child.
• Please do not lean over or go around the side of plastic screens on reception desks, they are there to protect patients and staff.
• We may have asked you to attend your appointment at a clinic that is not at your usual venue;
• The appointment may take longer than usual.

Hygiene

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• Wash your hands as soon as you get back home
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Changes to distancing in Outpatient & ED Waiting Areas

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been making changes to how we deliver services across MFT. Managing patients’ waits within our hospital and community clinics and Emergency Departments is an important part of this work.

Following on from national changes to social distancing, which permit a distance of 1 metre plus with risk mitigation in certain circumstances, patients using waiting rooms in areas such as Outpatients and Emergency Departments can now move to 1 metre plus distancing, providing patients are wearing a face mask. Chairs and seating areas that can be used by patients will need to continue to be clearly marked to maintain this distancing, and patients should still be advised not to bring anyone else with them when they attend the hospital, except in specific circumstances, in line with the current visiting policy.

It is important that services are planned so that patients arrive just in time to their appointments, in order to limit the number of people in waiting areas at any one time and to minimise the length of time patients spend in waiting areas. As stipulated in the MFT Protocol for the use of face masks, all patients, visitors and staff will continue to be required to wear a face mask when on any MFT site, including community locations. Alcohol gel will continue to be available on arrival, and must be used before entering any area.

Protective Equipment

All staff, outpatients and visitors will be required to wear a face mask and sanitise their hands when entering one of our hospitals at MFT.

Masks and sanitiser will be available at the hospital entrance if visitors do not already have them. This is for your safety and the safety of other patients and staff.

The use of face coverings when attending MFT Hospitals

From Monday, 15^th June 2020 all staff, visitors and outpatients will be required to wear a face mask when entering one of our Hospitals across all of our sites at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

This includes; Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, Altrincham Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, University Dental Hospital of Manchester and North Manchester General Hospital.

Face masks will be provided for patients and visitors at the entrance of our hospitals.

What does this mean for me?

We can all play a role in reducing the spread of coronavirus and keeping our hospitals safe. If you are coming to hospital as a visitor or for planned outpatient care, it is important that you wear a face covering at all times. This is for your safety and the safety of other patients and staff.

If you are currently shielding and have been provided with a surgical face mask for your appointments, please continue to use this. If you have not been provided with a surgical face mask, you should wear your own face mask or a disposable face mask will be provided to you on arrival to the hospital.

For some people, wearing a face covering may be difficult due to physical or mental health conditions. In these instances, other measures will be considered on a case by case basis, for example timed appointments and being seen immediately on arrival.

If you are a deaf or hearing impaired, our staff have a range of communication options to ensure that they can communicate effectively with you. This might include the use of clear masks where possible, as well as visual aids such as writing things down, speech to text apps and sign language.

All visitors to our hospital sites will also be expected to comply with existing social distancing and hand hygiene measures in addition to the face coverings while in the hospital setting.

How to wear a facemask

Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting the mask on and after taking it off. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used re-useable face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.

Do not touch the front of the face mask, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose.

When wearing a face mask ensure that it covers your nose and mouth at all times and is not allowed to dangle around your neck as this can be a source of cross infection.

The face mask should continue to be worn by a patient or visitor until it can be removed and discarded into the waste bin provided at the exit of the building.

10.04.20

Restricted Access to Manchester Royal Infirmary

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals on Oxford Road Campus, including Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI).

Please see below for further guidance.

Access to MRI

• The Emergency Departments will continue to allow access for the entry and exit of patients.

 24 hours access to MRI

• Access to the MRI will be via the single access point which is Saint Mary’s Hospital
• Main site entrance on the boulevard for adult patients and visitors

Restricted Access to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals on Oxford Road Campus, including Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH).

Please see below for further guidance. Security will be present to facilitate the flow of patients and visitors attending the hospital with support from the Family Liaison Hub.

If you are a patient attending a planned appointment please bring your letter with you.

Access to MREH restricted to 08:00 – 20:00

• Access via the main MREH Hospital Entrance for planned appointments and for the MREH Emergency Department
• Patients’ entrance for pharmacy collections from pick up points in MREH – only one adult to attend for collection unless support needed due to mobility issues

Restricted Access to Saint Mary’s Hospital

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals on Oxford Road Campus, including Saint Mary’s Hospital.

Please see below for further guidance. Security will be present to facilitate the flow of patients and visitors attending the hospital with support from the Family Liaison Hub.

If you are a patient attending a planned appointment please bring your letter with you.

24 hours access to SMH

• Main site entrance on the boulevard for adult patients and visitors (including Emergency Gynaecology)
• Patient entrance for pharmacy collections from pick up points in RMCH – only one adult to attend for collection unless support needed due to mobility issues

Restricted Access to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals on Oxford Road Campus, including Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Security will be present to facilitate the entry for parents with children attending for surgery or appointments with support from the Family Liaison Hub.

Access to RMCH restricted to 07:00 – 20:00

• Main entrance for children who are patients only (with accompanying parents)

Restricted Access to Wythenshawe Hospital

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals within MFT, including Wythenshawe Hospital.

Security will be present to facilitate the flow of patients and visitors attending the hospital with support from the Family Liaison hub.

The following entry and exit points are accessible with Security assistance;

• Entrance 3
• Entrance 5
• Entrance 6
• Entrance 8
• Entrance 13
• Entrance 15
• Emergency Department

Restricted Access to Trafford General Hospital

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are implementing the following changes to our entrances and exits at all of our hospitals within MFT, including Trafford General Hospital (TGH).

Access restrictions at TGH

• ALL access control entry and exit points will be operational 24hours per day
• The Urgent Care Centre (Entrance 10) accessible to staff, patients and visitors between 07:00 – 19:00.

7.04.20

As part of our response to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, please note that from Tuesday 7th April 2020, we are temporarily relocating all services for paediatric emergencies to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, so Wythenshawe Hospital’s Emergency Department will not accept paediatric emergencies. All ambulances will now divert to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Paediatric Emergency Department. This is to support the increased need for critical care at Wythenshawe Hospital during this time.

In the event of an emergency, parents, guardians and carers must now take children to the Paediatric Emergency Department, Oxford Road, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL.  It is extremely important that children are not taken to the Wythenshawe Hospital Emergency Department.

We will update you further when the paediatric emergency services and Starlight Children’s Unit at Wythenshawe Hospital are re-opened.

Thank you in advance for your support to the NHS and the wider community at this particular time.

Attending a planned inpatient procedure

If you are attending MFT for a planned inpatient procedure, it is no longer a routine requirement to self-isolate for 14 days. This is in line with national guidance for all, including those extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Ahead of your appointment, you will have been in contact with your consultant, doctor or GP who will have talked you through the following recommended guidance for planned procedures:

• Follow comprehensive social distancing and hand hygiene measures for 14 days before your planned procedure (click here for government advice on social distancing).
• Three days before your planned procedure, you will have a COVID-19 test to ensure you are not positive for the virus.
• You will need to self-isolate from the day you have your COVID-19 test until your admission into hospital.

However, we do understand that each patient’s circumstances are different and in some cases you may be advised to self-isolate for 14 days prior to your procedure. You can also opt-in to do this yourself based on your individual circumstances if you wish to do so.

Those who do self-isolate for 14 days will still be required to have a COVID-19 test three days before their planned procedure at MFT.