Coronavirus - latest advice

Face Coverings

From 15 June 2020, visitors and outpatients coming into our hospitals will be asked to wear a face covering at all times, to help us reduce the spread of Covid-19.

A face covering can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head. It should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably.  Lots of advice is available online about how to make your own face covering. Suggestions include using common household items, such as cotton fabric from old T-shirts or bedding.  Advice is available here.

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

When you visit your face covering should be clean, fresh, one. If the face covering becomes soiled or damp it should be changed, so please bring a second face covering to change into if needed.

New measures to increase services

Our staff have been working hard to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and ensure the safety and quality of our services for all patients.

Just like the rest of the NHS, our number one priority for the last few months has been ensuring that all those who need urgent care - not just those with coronavirus - have been able to get it when they need it.  Combined with the need to avoid unnecessary contact to reduce the spread of the virus, this has meant that some non-urgent appointments and surgeries may have been postponed, and others delivered differently using technology.

We are now preparing to gradually increase some important face-to-face services, but only where this can be done safely - the virus is still circulating and we don’t want to put our patients, the public or our staff at greater risk.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times.

What does this mean for me?

We will continue to ask patients to attend face-to-face services only when it is really necessary. Where possible, appointments will be offered using remote services such as a video or phone consultation.

If you do need to attend hospital for planned (non-emergency) care, you will be asked to take some steps to ensure you can get the care you need in an environment that keeps you safe, as well as staff and other patients.  Our admissions team will give you all the information you need.

You should only attend your outpatient appointment if you have no symptoms of coronavirus.

While at the hospital, it is important that you comply with normal social distancing requirements.

If you are currently shielding because you are at high risk of complications if you get coronavirus, but you need to come to hospital for planned care, extra planning and protection will be put in place.  This might include answering some screening questions and having your temperature checked.

If you start to show symptoms of coronavirus or test positive while admitted to hospital, you will be immediately isolated to ensure the safety of other patients and staff.

If you or a loved one are going to care home or hospice after being in hospital you will be tested for coronavirus before you leave hospital. If the result of the test is positive, the care home will make arrangements to prevent the virus spreading to other residents or staff, following national guidance.

We are continuously monitoring what is happening with the coronavirus pandemic. All planned care is subject to developments in the pandemic response and appointments may need to be rescheduled.

Visit our coronavirus page for more information on virtual visiting, staying safe and service specific details.

15 June 2020