Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information and Impact
29 Mar 2020
Advice for anyone who is concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Whittington Health and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Visitor policy:
From 22 March we have taken the difficult decision to stop all visitors to patients in adult wards and our emergency department.
Only one consistent visitor is permitted on our children's wards and on our maternity ward, only one birthing partner is allowed.
All maternity patients should enter the hospital via the labour ward reception (pink on the map next to number 1).
Testing
If you have been tested for the virus either at Whittington Hospital or in your own home we will contact you with your test result as quickly as possible once the results are sent to us from the laboratory. We realise that you may be anxious about your results but please help us to help you by not calling us to check your results as we will not be able to assist you, a member of the team will contact you as soon as the results are available.
Other services
Due to the ongoing and developing situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19), Whittington Health is anticipating changes to our services which may impact on some of our patients care.
If there are any changes to our services which impact on your care, a member of Whittington Health staff will be in contact at the earliest possible opportunity. Please do not contact Whittington Health if you have not already been informed of any changes to your care.
Elective surgery
At this time we need to prioritise the most sick and vulnerable as well as cancer patients. In order to free up space, we are stopping elective activity and will only be doing urgent or cancer (day case or inpatient) elective surgery from 16 March onwards. This will free up space in recovery for more ITU capacity and allow us to train more people in ITU skills and management of acutely sick respiratory patients.
Community based services
We are currently offering essential adult and children's services only. This is by video or telephone with face to face contacts only as essential. Health staff are prioritising essential work and are being redeployed to support the work of the hospital where possible.
We would like to offer assurance that it remains safe for patients to attend Whittington Health as normal and ask patients to attend all scheduled appointments. There is no reason to cancel an appointment.
Health advice for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS is well prepared to respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. You can help us to help you, everyone has a role to play in protecting themselves and others.
Access the latest NHS advice and government advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you are concerned you may have Coronavirus do not visit your GP or come to our Emergency Department, instead, visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. You can also listen to recorded information from our Chief Nurse Michelle by calling 020 7288 3211.
Stay at home 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 three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
How long to stay at home
- if you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for seven days
- if you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person in the home started having symptoms.
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
www.NHS.uk/coronavirus has an online Coronavirus service developed by NHS111 that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. You can also get answers to frequently asked questions about the virus by clicking here.
Keeping well
The government and NHS are well prepared to deal with this virus. You can help too. The best way to protect yourself and others is:
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Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day.
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Catch your coughs or sneezes in a tissue,
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Bin it
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Wash your hands.
Our teams are working to ensure all preparations for Whittington Health are in place. We are in regular contact with the local Public Health England health protection team and we will follow any national or regional guidance as it emerges – our priority, as always, will be keeping our patients and staff safe.