COVID-19 update

Outpatient appointments

• We will be in touch directly with you if there is any change to your planned appointment.

• Many outpatient appointments are being changed from face to face to telephone or video conferencing, to keep your child and others as safe as possible;

Please note that telephone calls may appear on your phone as from 'unknown' number; please answer as this could be a member of staff from the hospital trying to reach you.

• Where there is an need for a face to face appointment, some appointments will continue to run on site;

Please note only one parent/carer is allowed to accompany a child to his/her appointments: please do not bring siblings or other family members to clinic.

Please speak to the department manager or the nurse in charge if you have any questions or if you or your child has specific needs that need to be taken into consideration. Exceptions may be possible under the discretion of the department manager or the nurse in charge. Contact or leave a message with the LIAISE family support team on 0117 34 28065, or email them on bchinfo@uhbw.nhs.uk for any questions or support. 

Do not  attend a clinic appointment on site if your child or anyone in your household is experiencing the following symptoms: new persistent cough, high temperature or loss/change in your normal sense of smell or taste.

• We will support you to set up any necessary technology on your home devices for video conference appointments, or offer an alternative if needed. More information and guidance on video conference appointments can be found here: /patients-and-visitors/nhs-video-consultations/

• We will ensure that if your appointment is cancelled or postponed, we will retain your details and ensure you are followed up as soon as possible given current circumstances.

• Our outpatients coordinators will be in touch with you as soon as they can, but we ask for your patience and understanding at this very challenging time.

 

Inpatient visiting

All inpatient wards (with the exception of Starlight Ward) can have two parents/carers plus one child (sibling of the patient) with each patient. Starlight Ward can have two parents/carers with each patient.

If any one patient has two parents/carers at the bedside in a bay, all parents/carers present in that bay must wear a face mask.

Any visitors aged 11 and over must wear a face mask in our hospital, unless exempt. Guidance around exemptions is available on the Government website. Please notify us on attendance if you, or your child, are exempt from wearing a face mask. The Trust will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if appropriate.

Please speak to a member of staff if you feel unwell at all, at any time.

 

Emergency department

Those coming into our children's emergency department can be accompanied by a maximum of one family member, friend or carer. Those accompanying a child into the department must have no COVID-19 symptoms. Any visitors aged 11 and over must wear a face mask in our hospital, unless exempt. Please notify us on attendance if you, or your child, are exempt from wearing a face mask. The Trust will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if appropriate.

 

Face masks

Anyone coming into the hospital aged 11 and over must wear a surgical face mask (unless exempt) rather than your own face covering, which are available at the hospital entrance.

Please speak to the nurse in charge or ward/department manager if you have any questions about wearing face masks or if your child has specific needs that need to be taken into consideration, such as a child who has a disability and needs the support of a carer.

Please do not attend if you have any COVID-19 symptoms/have tested positive or you've been advised to self-isolate.