Coronavirus
There’s a lot of misinformation doing the rounds about COVID-19 (Coronavirus), so it’s really important you get facts from a trusted source.
Visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus to find out what the symptoms are, how to prevent the spread, and who should stay at home.
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
Many clinics and routine appointments are now back up and running at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more for further information.
Visiting restrictions
Visitors will be welcomed back on to Walsall Manor Hospital wards from Monday 17 May – assuming local case numbers of Covid-19 continue to fall and they have no virus symptoms.
A booking system has been set up and one visitor per patient per day will be allowed to come into the hospital and stay for up to an hour with the patient.
All visitors will need to report to the Welcome Hub in the main entrance of the hospital in Pleck Road to collect their visiting pass. They are strongly advised to have taken a Covid-19 test (Lateral Flow Test) before they attend the hospital.
They will be asked to show evidence, where possible, of a negative test result. Free testing kits are available via Boots, Lloyds, supermarket pharmacies and many local pharmacies.
If visitors have been unable to take a Covid-19 test they can take one at the hospital. A test bus will be available near to the main entrance of the hospital between 12.30pm and 5.30pm for visitors to take a test – but they must arrive 45 minutes before their allocated visiting time to do so and report to the Welcome Hub first.
People attending outpatient appointments, diagnostic tests and the Emergency Department will all be able to be accompanied by one close family member or friend to support them.
Visitors will be allowed on to wards within an allocated time slot between 1pm and 8.15pm. Each visit will be up to one hour and must be limited to one person that day –visitors will not be able to swap around within the time slot. There will be 15-minute intervals between visiting slots to allow for appropriate cleaning and to allow for those entering and leaving the hospital.
Slots will need to be pre-booked via a special online form on Walsall Healthcare’s website where possible; all visitors will need to wear a face-covering on arrival and will then be provided with a surgical face mask for the visit. They will also need to practice hand hygiene to minimise infection risk.
Visiting numbers have been worked out in accordance with total bed numbers on each ward and children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit unless in exceptional circumstances.
Same-day visiting slots need to be booked from 8am until 4pm. Slots cannot be booked days in advance.
The online booking form can be accessed here.
If people cannot access Walsall Healthcare’s website they can email visiting@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk
Those who need additional support can contact the Welcome Hub on 01922 656308 or mobile 07976 860888.
Visitors should not contact wards directly to make arrangements.
If you have any of the recognised symptoms of Covid-19 which are a raised temperature, new, continuous cough or loss of/change in taste or smell please do not come into the hospital. You will need to self-isolate at home for 10 days and organise a test; members of your household should also self-isolate for 10 days.
Social distancing at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
You may be aware that social distancing has been reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre in England as of 4 July 2020, following a recent announcement by the Prime Minister.
Due to the nature of working in a hospital, our healthcare staff are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 than the general public – this is partly the reason why universal use of face masks was introduced. Due to falling numbers of COVID-19 both locally and nationally, risk of acquiring COVID-19 via the hospitality sector is low, but at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust we are dedicated to continuing to protect all of our staff, patients and visitors. Therefore;
At all Walsall Healthcare NHS trust sites, social distancing of 2 metres or more between staff, patients, visitors, volunteers and contractors will continue to be enforced.
This is an evidence-based decision, following recommendations from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. We will continue to keep this decision under review as further evidence becomes available, and will communicate any further changes to you via this website, social media and other channels.
You can read more at nhs.uk about social distancing and changes to everyday life at nhs.uk
Wearing face coverings at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Guidance for visitors
- Wear a face covering at alltimes during your visit
You are encouraged to bring your own suitable face covering. If this is not possible, we will provide a face mask.If shielding, you must ask for a fluid-resistant surgical mask Refusal to wear a face covering without valid reason may resultin you being refused access This is to ensure the safety of others - Sanitize your hands for20 seconds with the gel provided
Always before putting on, or removing your face covering.
Please do not wear your own gloves - Change and wash your facecovering daily
If it is not washable, dispose of it carefully - Maintain appropriate socialdistancing where possible
Always follow the latest national guidance
Please consult the following national guidance for the most up-to-date information.
- Check if you or your child has symptoms
Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them. - Testing and tracing
Get a test to check if you have coronavirus, understand your test result and find out what to do if you’re contacted by NHS Test and Trace. - Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms
Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with. - People at higher risk
Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.
NHS 111
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online or do not have online access.
You should also follow NHS advice about staying at home.
How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.
It is particularly important for people who:
- are 70 or over
- have a long-term condition
- are pregnant
- have a weakened immune system
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
- only travel on public transport if you need to
- work from home, if you can
- avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- avoid events with large groups of people
- use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
Don’t
- touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- have visitors to your home, including friends and family
The following resources are available for download:
Latest maternity updates are available to view on the service’s pages here.
Support for the deaf community
Deaf Support and Care Services (PDF)
British Sign Language videos
Other languages
Stay at home – Guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection (Source: GOV.UK)
Bengali / Polish / Punjabi / Romanian / Urdu
Discharging patients home
Bengali / Polish / Punjabi / Romanian / Urdu
Walsall for All – Translated Guidance
www.walsallforall.co.uk (External Link)
“Stay at Home’ multilingual video message and translated guidance
Walsall for All published a video of the “Stay at Home” message in 17 different languages. You can view it on social media or YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvuKKRyeBgo
There is also a dedicated page on their website, with links and resources to translated guidance and accessible formats: https://www.walsallforall.co.uk/post/covid-19-translatedguidance
We have published our COVID19 Supplementary Privacy Notice, to explain how we handle your personal information in light of the COVID19 pandemic. This accompanies our standard Privacy Notices.
What is Long Covid?
Around 1 in 5 covid patients suffer from long covid syndrome. Symptoms can vary patient to patient but common symptoms include: high temperature, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety & depression, breathlessness and generalised pain. Patients may need further support to aid recovery and rehabilitation. In October 2020 NHS England/Improvement (NHSE/I) announced plans for Long Covid clinics; ensuring specialist support is available for patients referred to the clinic by their GP.
How can I access my local long covid clinic?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms as listed on the NHS guidance pages. Please contact your GP for further assessment. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and the impact they’re having on your life. They may suggest some tests to find out more about your symptoms and rule out other things that could be causing them.
These might include:
- blood tests
- checking your blood pressure and heart rate
- a chest X-ray
Your doctor will talk to you about the care and support you might need. You may be given advice about how to manage and monitor your symptoms at home.
If the symptoms are having a big impact on your life, you may be referred to a specialist rehabilitation service or a service that specialises in the specific symptoms you have.
Is any other support available?
GPs can also direct patients to www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk for general support and information.
