Coronavirus: latest information and advice
Face coverings for outpatients and visitors
From Monday 15 June, all visitors when in our hospital, including those visiting patients or attending outpatient appointments, will need to wear face coverings to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus to other patients and staff. Face coverings can be any fabric, such as a scarf or bandana, and should cover the mouth and nose. We would like to ask all patients and visitors to bring their own face coverings. For more information on how to make your own face covering, visit Gov.UK website.
Visiting restrictions in hospital
In light of the recent government announcement, the hospital visiting restrictions remain the same. This is to prevent the spread of infection and protect our patients. We will review the restrictions when we have made changes to our buildings and the way we work so that we can continue to keep patients and our staff safe, and to allow us to ease visiting restrictions. From Monday 15 June, any visitors must wear a face covering while in our hospitals.
We are only allowing visitors into our hospitals in exceptional circumstances including:
- for a patient at end of life
- one regular carer for a patient with additional needs, such as a patient with dementia
- one parent/guardian for a child
- one birth partner
Please speak to the nurse or midwife in charge of the ward or unit to consider any exceptional arrangements.
All visitors to our sites must:
- wear face coverings at all times, and follow social distancing rules
- not come to the hospital if you are feeling unwell, including cold or flu symptoms
- wash or gel your hands as soon as you enter a ward or unit
- follow the additional measures that will be requested by our staff if you are visiting a patient with an infection
Outpatient appointment text message reminders
We are moving to a new service for mobile phone text reminders for outpatient appointments. The aim is to improve the service for patients by informing you sooner about your appointments, and to give you the option to request a change without having to call us.
You will notice three differences. You will receive a text message as soon as an appointment is created, changed or cancelled for you. So you may get the text message before you receive the letter telling you about the appointment. For some appointments, you can reply CHANGE or CANCEL to ask for the appointment to be changed or cancelled. This will save you having to telephone the hospital. You will see a link to www.nhs.my/imperial in the text, where you can find a list of your upcoming appointments. Sign in by entering your name, date of birth, and postcode - and we may send a one-time code to your mobile phone for added security.
Your hospital appointment
We are continuously revising our plans to help us concentrate our efforts on those who need care most urgently and best protect our patients and staff from the risk of coronavirus.
Unless we have asked you to come into hospital, most face-to-face outpatient appointments are being replaced by telephone or video consultations.
For some services such as maternity, we will contact you to discuss if there are any changes to your booked appointment, otherwise please attend as planned.
Visit Coronavirus: latest information and advice for information about hospital appointments, visiting restrictions, what to do if you have symptoms, and more.
What to do if you have symptoms
Stay at home for seven days if you have either:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
This will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or come into hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
For more information on coronavirus, visit NHS website.
We will not be testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms.
COVID-19: stay at home guidance
Find out about restrictions to hospital visits due to coronavirus
Follow the advice below on how to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus.
