Keeping patients safe in the Covid-19 outbreak

The safety of our patients, doctors and staff is our number one priority. We are actively working with and following guidance from the Department of Health, Public Health England and our Infection Prevention and Control Teams to ensure you are kept safe.

Risk assessment for patients 

We are currently screening patients attending our hospitals or clinics for Covid-19. On entering, we’re asking everyone to report any symptoms of coronavirus to a member of our team immediately:

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• 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)
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

Any patient displaying any of the above symptoms may be asked to return home and follow the latest government guidance on self-isolation. We will be happy to rebook appointments when you are well.

Infection Prevention & Control

Once granted access to our hospital or clinic, all visitors will be directed to a handwashing station by a member of the team.

Social distancing

We have implemented social distancing measures at our facilities to limit the spread of Covid-19.

We’re asking everyone to please adhere to these at all times by sitting or standing 2 metres (6 feet) apart from staff and other patients.

Advice for visitors of patients

In order to support social distancing, we are asking all non-essential patient visitors not to come to our hospitals.

We are also asking patients who are attending our Outpatient Departments not to bring family members or friends with them unless they are directly involved in your care.

There are exceptional circumstances when we are able to allow visitors to our sites, for example if you are the parent of a patient who is a child or if your family member is receiving end of life care. These visits can be arranged in advance by contacting the hospital.

Thank you for your cooperation at this challenging time. If you would like to discuss this further, please make contact with your care team who will be able to advise you further.

Cleaning 

We are currently operating an enhanced cleaning service in our hospitals and clinics to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Virtual Consultations

To help reduce the risk of infection, many consultants are able to offer telephone or video consultations, which will allow you to speak with your consultant without having to leave your home. Please speak to a member of our team for more information.

Last updated 4/6/20.