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Update for patients re. outpatient appointments: We have made the unprecedented decision to temporarily suspend upcoming routine outpatient appointments in response to the extraordinary COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation.
If you have not received a letter then you SHOULD attend your planned appointment at the hospital unless you have received a telephone call from the hospital indicating that you now have a telephone appointment.
We have taken these steps because the NHS needs to divert staff and resources away from routine activity to support an increased need for critical care.
If you did have an appointment scheduled please be assured that your case will be reviewed by our clinical teams to identify the most appropriate next steps for you. We will then contact you again to let you know what will happen next. This may take some time depending on how the national situation develops.
If you have concerns about medications that you normally collect from the Hospital Pharmacy, we are making plans to ensure you receive your medication. This may not be through the Hospital Pharmacy and we are looking at alternative arrangements, for example with local pharmacists. If this affects you we will be in touch to confirm the arrangements.
You should now await further communication from the Hospital, please do not contact us as we will be in contact with you in due course either via letter or telephone.
We do understand that this may be difficult for you and we appreciate your patience in light of this unprecedented situation.
We are sorry for any inconvenience and anxiety the cancellation of your appointment may cause. Thank you for your support to the NHS and the wider community at this time.
Changes to Visitor Policy: In line with the national requirements for people to stay at home, we have made significant changes to our visiting policy in order to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
- No visitors will be permitted to any adult wards, other than in defined exceptional circumstances
- No children who are not patients are permitted to visit any Trust premises
- One birth partner is permitted to accompany a woman in the Delivery Units and the Birth Centre
- One named visitor per patient is permitted in Children’s Wards, Maternity Wards and Neonatal Units at any one time
We recognise the importance to patients of maintaining contact with their family, friends and carers whilst they are in hospital. Where possible, staff will facilitate other means of communicating, such as telephone calls, FaceTime and texting.
A new, temporary Family Liaison Team is also being established to support patients and families to maintain contact during this time.
Anyone who meets the limited criteria to visit a patient will be directed to wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds upon entering the clinical area and we would ask you to do the same on leaving the ward and during your visit if indicated.
You should not visit the hospital if you have a high temperature or a new continuous cough.
Please do not visit if you feel unwell or have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Visitors who are vulnerable due to chronic health conditions are also advised not to visit.
We will continue to review this policy as new national guidance is received.
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus you must STAY AT HOME
Do not go to a hospital, pharmacy or GP surgery if you have either:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
Use the 111 coronavirus service to find out what to do.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
More advice on self-isolation can be found here.
How to stop infection spreading
We advise everyone to follow national NHS advice to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with coronavirus.
- 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