16 March 2020

Like the whole of the NHS, CNWL is well  prepared to deal with the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff are very aware of the worries people have and we are here to help and offer support throughout it.

There are many questions people will have and most are covered in the national advice (like how to look after yourself, what to do if you are a carer, how to self isolate, or if you are worried about your pets):  

We are taking particular care of people who may be more vulnerable; generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Please talk to staff about your worries.

However you will see some changes; our wards are restricting numbers of visitors to help prevent the spread to vulnerable patients, but if you have a special request about visiting a patient, please speak to the ward team beforehand.

We are also asking all visitors to make sure they have good hand hygiene and stay away if feeling unwell.

  • If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or breathing problems please stay at home for seven days.
  • Please ensure you wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before entering the ward and when you leave. Frequent handwashing is effective at reducing the spread of infection.
  • Also existing guidance remains; so if you are experiencing diarrhoea, vomiting, or flu-like symptoms: please do not visit.

Over the next few weeks we may make changes to services and to patient care. We will only do this to protect essential NHS Services so that the whole NHS System works together to protect those whose need is greatest.

Please talk too our staff about this advice or about your worries.