Updated: 1 April 2020

Information on COVID-19 (coronavirus)

We understand that you may be concerned about the ongoing coronavirus situation.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has taken steps to protect patients, staff and visitors and maintain the running of its services as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, including introducing restrictions on patient visits and postponing routine operations.

These measures aim to reduce visitor footfall across the hospitals – and with it the risk of spreading the virus – and maximise the number of hospital beds available for patients needing emergency care.

This page provides you with updates including actions we are taking to care for patients and reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 infection.

Visitors

Visiting at inpatient wards across Trust hospitals is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

As we are sure you will appreciate, this measure is to limit the potential spread of the COVID-19 viral infection and keep everyone as safe as possible.

The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor – an immediate family member or carer – will be permitted to visit are listed below:

• The patient you wish to visit is receiving end-of-life care.
• You are the birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour.
• You are a parent or carer visiting the neonatal ward.
• You are a parent or carer visiting your child.

Please note: The antenatal and postnatal ward is now open to visitors between 12 and 3pm only.

Please contact the ward or department in advance to discuss appropriate arrangements.

Your health, safety and wellbeing, that of our patients, communities and individuals and teams across the organisation remain our absolute priority.

Please find other ways of keeping in touch with your loved ones in hospital, like phone and video calls.

Everyone should follow the expert national guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, staying at home wherever possible, to help limit the spread of coronavirus, protect the most vulnerable people in our communities and our NHS.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding at this challenging time.

Planned appointments and admissions

Routine planned surgery is being postponed during this time. Patients who have appointments for planned routine surgery will be contacted by the hospital and their appointments rescheduled.

Urgent operations and operations that form part of cancer treatment will continue to go ahead and patients should attend as planned.

Being discharged from hospital

Over the coming weeks the NHS needs to make sure it is able to support all those who will need hospital treatment as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). To do this we need to organise the safe discharge of people who are well enough to leave hospital.

A staff member will discuss the discharge process and transport arrangements with them directly, or with a family member, friend or carer. Patients will either be discharged to their own home or to another place of care (such as a care home or community hospital).

If they require care and support when they get home, this will be arranged. Any care provided will be free of charge for a period of time to support their recovery. After this time they may be required to contribute to the cost of care.

Please be aware that patients will not be offered a choice of where they will be discharged to and they will not be able to remain in hospital if they choose not to accept the care that is offered following discharge. Our focus needs to be on freeing up as many hospital beds as quickly as possible whilst ensuring that patients are discharged safely and to the most appropriate place. We ask for your understanding and support as we do this.

Outpatients

In order to help protect the patients and staff in our hospitals, the Trust has taken the difficult decision to postpone all non-urgent outpatient appointments.

Some outpatient appointments and diagnostic appointments will still require patients to attend hospital and some outpatient appointments will continue via phone consultation where necessary.

Please do not attend a previously scheduled hospital appointment unless you have been specifically instructed to do so since 30 March 2020.

Important advice for your family

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue and was your hands or use hand sanitiser gel if you are out and about.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

For more information and support

All the latest information relating to coronavirus can be found on the NHS website and the official UK Government website. This includes information about the virus and what to do if you develop symptoms.

Information for children is available on the BBC Newsround website, including specific advice if children are feeling upset by the news.

Every mind matters:

Please watch a short video presentation (click on screen below) in which Dr Hilary Jones provides information to support your mental wellbeing while staying a home during the COVID-19 pandemic.