11 May 2020
Statement regarding delivery of services during the coronavirus pandemic

Following the Government's latest
guidance we wanted to reassure you that our number one priority
remains the safety of our staff, patients and their loved ones by
preventing the spread of coronavirus. This means that there
has been no fundamental change in our current approach to service
delivery.
For
Inpatient Wards:
- Visitors are only allowed on our wards
in exceptional circumstances - we are instead supporting family,
friends and carers to stay in contact with their loved ones via the
telephone or video conferencing
- All
leave on the wards will stay minimised to that which is absolutely
essential and supports social distancing
For Community
Services:
- The vast majority of
out-patient appointments will continue to be carried out via
telephone or video conference.
- Where it is essential to carry
out a face-to-face visit, service users and carers can expect that
staff will use protective clothing such as face masks and gloves.
If you or a member of your family has developed a continuous cough
or fever, please let our staff know prior to their
arrival.
We are continually reviewing the
available evidence and listening to professional advice to make
sure that when we make changes we do so in a safe and effective
way. We will update this website and inform staff, patients
and families if and when our policies change.
We know the restrictions caused
by COVID-19 may be causing additional stress. Support and advice on
how to maintain your own wellbeing is available from here and if you are a current
patient you can call our 24/7 response line on 0300 303
1320
Together, we can prevent the
spread of COVID-19 and help you and your family stay healthy and
safe. One of the best ways to protect yourself is to wash your
hands frequently using soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes,
nose and mouth with unwashed hands and continue to follow the
national guidelines if you need to self-isolate.
Stay safe and thank you for your
co-operation during this difficult
time.