If you have not been vaccinated yet, please do it now. Remember to wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain social distancing if visiting a ward or on NHS premises.

Now you can walk in and get vaccinated without an appointment or book online here to get vaccinated>>

Follow social distancing rules. Gov.UK advice page>>

Appointments: Keeping staff and service users safe is our priority. Your team will contact you to discuss whether you would prefer a face-to-face appointment or an online appointment.

Trust Mental Health Crisis Service Information is available here

COVID-19 vaccine information for those with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

For the most up to date national information and guidance, visit NHS UK>>

Please remember that despite the pressures related to the pandemic, the NHS remains open to new referrals. Please do not hesitate to contact your local service with ANY health concerns you may have.

Managing the Trust’s Response to COVID-19  

The Gold command leadership structure has been established to meet the challenge of the increase in cases of COVID-19 both within the community and admissions to inpatient services, and to meet the impact this has on all services Trust-wide. 

Gold command coordinates both our response strategically and oversees the effectiveness of management arrangements.  It liaises with our system partners across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) CCG and BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) CCG, as well as co-ordinates responses to NHS England (NHSE) requirements and manages our approach to recovery and renewal once we emerge from the current crisis. The leadership of Gold Command is shared between the Trust Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer and supported by our Head of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response.

Looking After Our Staff and Service Users 

We have carried out staff risk assessments for all staff and these are regularly reviewed to ensure that risks can be mitigated.  This is ongoing in light of recent national updates regarding the virulence of the virus.  There have been extensive wellbeing initiatives to keep staff well. 

All Trust premises have been carefully assessed to put in place necessary procedures to ensure that staff, patients and visitors are made as safe as possible at this time.   A system of “open” and “outbreak management” of wards is currently in operation. This is in order to limit the spread of the virus. 

We are providing video consultations for some community appointments. Consideration will be given when assessing the need for a face-to-face appointment in order to not only reduce the risk of infection, but also maintain the overall health of service users, patients, their families and our staff.  Whilst some appointments will continue to be undertaken in person, many more appointments will be held virtually.

  • Please come alone unless you require a carer to accompany you or have been advised otherwise.

  • Please only come at your appointment time.

  • Wash or sanitise your hands upon arrival and frequently whilst on site.

  • Please wear a surgical mask at all times – these are provided at the hospital/building entrance.

  • Maintain social distancing and wait in the designated areas.

  • There is less seating capacity in our waiting areas at the moment so you may be asked to wait outside or in your car before your appointment.

  • Please leave the building promptly after your appointment.

Visiting someone on one of our wards during COVID-19

We are pleased to welcome visitors in all our AWP wards. We recognise the contribution that visiting makes to the wellbeing and the person-centred care of patients; lack of access to visitors courses distress to them and their families.

COVID-19 is still prevalent in the local community, alongside other viruses, which means there may be additional infection control measures on a ward or areas closed to visiting. Thus it is important to phone the ward beforehand to ensure it is still safe to visit. 

For more information about visiting our wards click here.

The Wellbeing Matters service was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain and improve the wellbeing of health and social care key workers in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW).

To find out more about the service click here

If you are a health and social care worker in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire, you can find out more about help and support available on the 'Help for me' section of the Healthier Together Support Network web pages.