The coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic has meant that some changes have been made to keep all our patients and staff safe. This includes how we provide care to our patients, and what you will need to do before coming into hospital. This page will explain exactly what you need to do before your hospital visit and what you can expect when you arrive at hospital.
Self-isolation
If you have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 you do not need to isolate.
If you have not been vaccinated or you have had your first vaccine within the last 2 weeks, you will be required to self isolate for 7 days prior to your procedure. This is important to help keep you, other patients, and our staff all safe. If a member of your household is accompanying you to the hospital or driving you to the hospital they must have also follow these strict self-isolation guidelines. Where possible all members of your household should stay at home during this time as well.
What does self-isolating mean?
Self-isolating means that you need to stay at home and that you do not have contact with anyone inside or outside your home during the full period of your self-isolation. Where possible this means that all members of your household should stay at home during this time as well. If you live with others there are some practical steps to take.
These are:
- staying physically apart as much as possible. Sleep in separate rooms and use different bathrooms if you can. We do recognise that many patients are not able to do this
- minimising the amount of time you spend in shared spaces such as the kitchen
- trying to stay at least two metres (three steps) apart
- regularly cleaning, with disinfectant, any surfaces you use a lot, such as kitchen counters
- wash your hands regularly, for 20 seconds each time
- make sure to sneeze or cough into tissues, your elbow, or your sleeve, and throw away the tissues straight after using them
- don’t use the same towels or crockery and make sure anything has been washed thoroughly before it’s used by someone else.
What are Social distancing and hygiene measures?
These are regularly under review by the government. Some measures are listed below. For latest advice refer to government advice on social distancing. https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/coronavirus
- trying to stay at least two metres (three steps) apart or one meter plus
- wash your hands regularly, for 20 seconds each time
- make sure to sneeze or cough into tissues, your elbow, or your sleeve, and throw away the tissues straight after using them
- wearing face masks on public transport and shops
COVID-19 testing
One to two days before your procedure, you will be booked to attend for a COVID19 PCR test at the hospitals drive through testing facility. This is necessary for all patients who are going to be in our main theatres regardless of vaccination status.
These tests are a swab of the tonsils and back of the throat and nasal passages.
Whenever you attend the appointment for this test, if you have to travel, you should wear a face covering and avoid public transport. If you are required to self isolate, you must continue to do so after this test until your procedure.
Any patients having their procedure in our Day Procedure Suite will be Antigen tested on arrival at the hospital.
If you have tested negative you will not hear from us and it is safe to assume that you can come ahead for your procedure. However, you will be called if there is a problem with your result before your allocated admission time. If you test positive, we will delay your procedure and you will need to self-isolate for 10 days in accordance with government guidance – for more information visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-selfisolate
The day of your hospital procedure or surgery
- Please check your admission letter for details on where to go when you arrive.
- Make sure you use the hand sanitiser as you enter the hospital.
- Please keep on your face covering, in line with government guidance on public spaces.
- Make your way to the reception area at the time stated on your letter. Please DO NOT arrive before this.
- Please do not go into any other wards or clinical areas other than those you need to visit.
- If you have a chaperone or carer who has also been self-isolating they can accompany you to the hospital.
- Before your operation you will be asked to sign a COVID-19 Risk Consent form. This will provide assurance that you have followed any guidance, specific to you, given by the hospital or the consultant before your admission
Staying overnight in hospital
- If you are staying overnight in hospital following your procedure or surgery, please just bring your essentials.
- If you feel more comfortable doing so, you can choose to wear a face covering while on the ward, unless you have a medical oxygen mask and/or a clinician advises you cannot wear a face covering for medical reasons.
- If at any time you feel anxious make sure you speak to a member of staff.
- If at any time you cannot understand what is said to you please do not hesitate to ask the member of staff to clarify their communication with you.
- Unfortunately there is no visiting allowed at this time. Your next of kin will be able to call the ward to find out how you are. Mobile phones and tablets can be used to keep in touch with loved ones, so if you have one of these devices, you can bring it with you.
When you are ready to go home
- We recommend that a friend, carer or family member collects you from the Ward Entrance on the Lisburn Road. If you need help to get to the entrance to meet them, one of our nursing staff will assist you.
- Depending on the nature of your procedure and recovery your doctor may advise you to continue to self-isolate for seven days after leaving hospital. This additional period of self-isolation is a precaution as your immune system will be working hard to help your body to recover from the surgery you have had.
- If you are returning to the hospital for a wound check you may be asked to continue to self-isolate until the time of the wound check.
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 after discharge, please self isolate at home and contact your GP by phone.