Alert

Hospital visiting restrictions eased

All inpatients can now have up to two visitors for one hour each day across our hospital sites. Visiting will only be suspended in wards with active outbreaks listed on our website. Before you visit, please read our guidance for visitors.

We understand that you might be worried about coronavirus. The information below sets out our advice and the action we're taking to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.

The situation is changing constantly so we will update this information as needed. Check GOV.UK and NHS.UK for up to the minute advice.

Guidance on visiting restrictions


Frequently asked questions

The advice from the NHS is as follows:


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 or school.
  • 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 straight away and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
  • Try to limit contact with people if it isn’t necessary. More guidance here: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Do not
  •  Please DO NOT come to a healthcare setting if you think you have symptoms of coronavirus.

111 will give you the best advice and will arrange for you to be tested if appropriate.

This is a virus that affects the lungs and therefore people’s breathing.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

You can find more information at NHS.UK. If you're concerned please use the online NHS 111 service which will tell you if you need medical help, and advise you what to do.

You do not need to self isolate prior to your surgery. Before you attend you will recieve information from our secretarial teams advising you of on-the-day screening and COVID prevention best practice.

Depending on the type of surgey you may require a PCR test 24 hours before - you will be informed if this is the case.

All patients attending Elective Care Suite/Day Case Unit for elective surgery will be given a rapid covid test prior to surgery.

 

Updates on COVID cases

Updates on the numbers of cases are released by the Department of Health and Social Care daily. You can track cases by local authority, including Cumbria, here.

The numbers of deaths are published through NHS England. Data broken down to Trust level, is available on the statistical area of the NHS England website.

The Trust will not be releasing any further details locally in the interest of privacy and dignity of the families. The media are asked to respect this and the interests of staff at the hospital to avoid any disruptions to operational service. 

For any other media enquiries, please email communications.helpdesk@ncic.nhs.uk.

If you're concerned 

Please use the online NHS 111 service that can tell you if you need medical help, and advise you what to do.

 

Help us prevent the spread of COVID-19

There are simple steps that you can take to stop the spread of this and other viruses:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.