As the situation around Coronavirus continues to evolve, we are doing everything we can to protect the health and wellbeing of our patients, members of the public and employees.

We will continue to monitor the situation and if further changes are required, we will advise accordingly. 

Appointments and surgery

We’re pleased to let you know that our hospital is now open to offer services for patients both virtually and, where necessary, face to face.

We are asking everyone who attends our site to abide by our policy on social distancing. Please ensure that you stand or sit a minimum of two metres apart.

For more information about how to access our services please contact us via our online enquiry form.

Patient Visitors 

At this current time, visitors are only allowed to accompany a patient to an outpatient consultation or visit a patient in exceptional circumstances. If a permitted carer or visitor is required, please contact us in advance so this can be approved by the appropriate clinical team and we can make the necessary arrangements required to maintain patient and staff safety.

We kindly ask that if someone is driving you to your outpatient appointment, please ask them to wait for you in the car until your appointment is finished. This is to reduce the number of people coming into the hospital at this time.

Information last reviewed 09/11/2020

Patient safety remains our very highest priority

Please be assured that Horder Healthcare is doing everything we can to ensure that our hospitals are COVID-19 secure. We have implemented new safety measures to ensure maximum safety, please continue reading for more details.

Here is a brief summary of the changes you can expect when you attend an appointment at our CQC outstanding hospital:

• When you arrive at reception, we are asking you to let us know if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 such as a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Throughout your consultation and pre-admission journey, we will continuously assess your personal COVID-19 risks. This will help us to assist you in the planning of your appointments and in maintaining a secure environment for all.
• Glass shields have been installed at our receptions as an added protection, and all staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment appropriate to their role and the situation, as per PHE guidance.
• The hospital now has clear separate pathways for different types of patients, visitors and staff to minimise interaction. We have also placed social distancing signs and floor markers around the Centre as a public reminder, and have removed every other chair in the waiting rooms to allow you to keep at a safe distance from others if you need to wait there.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Following advice published by NHS, please do not leave your home if you have either:

• 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
• No one in your household should leave home if any one person has symptoms.

Find out how to get a test, and how long to isolate, at nhs.uk/coronavirus

See latest guidance from Public Health England

Prevention

Public Health England (PHE) recommends that the following general cold and flu precautions are taken to help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19:

• 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 straight away
• Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Useful Links

Public Health England government guidance

NHS 111 online coronavirus service

NHS Stay at Home Guidance