Staying safe during your visit

As we continue to move out of the Covid-19 pandemic we have removed many of our remaining Covid-19 measures in line with national NHS guidance.

We’ve learned a lot over the past two years which is helping us understand how best to keep everyone safe as we return to more usual ways of working.

We are now focusing more on best practice prevention and control measures for key infections, not just Covid-19.

• Our safety measures for patients and visitors
• Before coming to hospital for surgery or a procedure
• Information for maternity patients and visitors
• Information for international patients

Our safety measures for patients and visitors

If you are asked to come to the hospital, please follow these instructions for every visit:

Before your appointment, we will call you to talk about the safety measures we have in place. All patients must continue to follow all of the infection prevention and control measures in place across our hospitals.

Currently:

1. You are not required to wear a face mask or physically distance in non-clinical areas, including entrances, lifts, stairwells and restaurants. However, you may continue to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable wearing one. Some of our staff may continue to wear masks either through personal choice or due the nature of the tasks they are undertaking.
2. We have removed the requirement to wear masks in some clinical areas – depending on the risks of infection for patients and staff. You will not be required to wear a mask in most outpatient, maternity or diagnostic clinics.
3. You are required to wear a mask in inpatient areas and clinical treatment rooms (including outpatient and diagnostic treatment rooms)
4. Our staff – supported by local signage – will let you know if you are in an area where you still need to wear a mask.
5. If you are asked to wear a face mask in a particular area but are exempt from doing so, speak to our clinical staff. They will find suitable, alternative ways for you to wait, be treated or visit in order to manage the additional risks to you and those around you.
6. If you are coming in for an outpatient, maternity or diagnostic appointment, you are welcome to have someone with you.

Visiting

Visiting has returned to our pre-pandemic approach. You do not need to book a visiting time but, as before, you will need to check visiting hours for the specific ward or unit. If you are visiting someone who has an infection – or who is especially vulnerable to infection – you will be required to wear a face mask and, in some cases, other personal protective equipment. Staff locally will let you know what is required.

Find out more about visiting.

Before coming to hospital for a procedure or surgery

Before your appointment

To minimise your risk of getting Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses before your procedure or surgery, try to limit your contact with people outside of your household in the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment. If you have to meet people, try to meet outside or somewhere with good ventilation.

Covid-19 testing before your procedure or surgery

You no longer need to do a lateral flow or PCR test before you come into hospital if you do not have any Covid-19 symptoms. This is in line with the latest government guidance.

In some exceptional circumstances your doctor may still ask you to do a test, but this is very rare. This would be discussed with you before your admission to hospital.

If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please call the ward number on your appointment letter to get further advice.

All patients should look at the Covid-19 checklist before coming into hospital to check if they have any Covid-19 symptoms.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms within ten days leading up to your procedure or surgery, do not come into hospital, please take a lateral flow test at home within 24 hours before your appointment and call the ward number on your appointment letter to let us know your result, so that we can provide further advice.

Information for maternity patients

Scans and antenatal appointments 

One support person can attend appointments and ultrasound scans. Please do not bring children or any other family members. 

Covid-19 testing for pregnant people

Birthing people and their support partners no longer need to test for routine appointments, even if they are staying overnight in hospital. 

If you have a positive Covid-19 result, please call The Lindo Wing labour ward on 020 3312 1608 or the Clayton ward on 02 033 131 466 so we can plan your care following local guidelines. 

To minimise your risk of getting Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses before your procedure or surgery, try to limit your contact with people outside of your household in the two weeks leading up to your appointment. If you have to meet people, try to meet outside or somewhere with good ventilation. 

Read about maternity visiting guidelines.

Stem cell banking

Stem cell banking has now resumed in our hospitals. Please ask your consultant or midwife for further information.

International patients

If you are travelling to the UK for treatment at Imperial College Healthcare Private Care, there is some important information to consider before you leave:

You will need to comply with the UK government’s guidance on conditions for overseas travel and quarantine restrictions. All the latest travel advice is available on the UK government website.  Before travelling to the UK, please consider current travel restrictions, what the risks are and how this might impact your plans. Please note we cannot provide any assurances, or take responsibility for, the decisions of immigration or public health officials

You will need to make your own travel arrangements and comply with the relevant quarantine arrangements if they are in place at the time of your travel before your appointment at Imperial College Healthcare Private Care.

Before you travel to the UK please ensure you are aware of the government guidelines for screening and testing requirements

If you have any questions or if you would like to make a booking, please contact us by submitting your details. Alternatively, you can call +44 (0)20 3311 7700 or email imperial.private.healthcare@nhs.net and one of our helpful team members will be in contact.