Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice

As the situation with coronavirus (Covid-19) continues to develop we will be ensuring this page is kept up-to-date with advice for patients, consultants and staff.

Please note: We are unable to offer testing for Covid-19. We are also unable to offer walk-in GP appointments. 

Supporting the NHS in the fight against Covid-19

We are proud to announce that we will be working side-by-side with our NHS family and fully dedicating our resources to the fight against Covid-19. At this time of national emergency, our support will provide the NHS with more beds, ventilators and additional healthcare staff to help the health service manage the expected surge in cases. Read more about the support we’re pledging to the NHS here.

Stopping of non-essential visitors to our facilities

In order to support social isolation, we are stopping all non-essential patient visitors to the wards. We are also asking outpatient visitors to attend appointments unaccompanied by family and friends, if possible.

We will of course assess any extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the hospital to assess individual needs.

Important notice for patients – the NHS’s latest advice

Stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The government’s latest advice is clear: people should stay at home whether they have symptoms of coronavirus or not, in order to prevent the spread of the infection. This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have symptoms or underlying health conditions. People can leave their homes in some circumstances: to shop for essential goods, for one form of exercise per day, for a medical reason, or to travel to or from work where it is necessary. Find out more.

What to do if you have coronavirus symptoms

Continue to stay at home if you have either:

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

You can find tips for staying at home here.

How long to stay at home

• if you have any of the symptoms outlined above, stay at home for 7 days
• if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got 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.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after seven days.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service by clicking here.

The NHS is advising that people only call 111 if they cannot get help online. The NHS will contact you from Monday 23 March 2020 if you are at particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with coronavirus. You’ll be given specific advice about what to do. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.

Symptoms of Covid-19:

Public Health England (PHE) has outlined the symptoms of the coronavirus as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. 

Basic protective measures:

Wash your hands frequently. This will help to kill viruses that may be on your hands.

The most up to date public advice and information can be found at gov.uk/coronavirus

Last updated 23/3/2020