Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
We would like to remind people that you should not come to
hospital unless absolutely necessary.
If you do need to visit the hospital, please be aware of the
following changes we have made which will help to reduce the spread
of infection.
Wearing a face covering or face mask
Following the Government's new guidance on the
extended use of face masks in NHS hospitals, all patients and
visitors will need to wear a face covering or a face mask when
entering the hospital building.
You should bring your own face covering or mask, but we will
provide you with one if needed.
This new guidance will be enforced from Monday 15
June.
You must also wear a face covering or mask if you are travelling
to the hospital on public transport.
There may be exceptions such as young children and people with
breathing difficulties.
For further information, please speak to a member of
staff.
A member of staff will greet you at one of our main entrances to
check the reason for your visit, how you are feeling and to ensure
you are wearing a mask appropriately.
It's important that you wear and remove your mask properly, as
this can be a source of infection otherwise - please watch this
video and follow the instructions below:
How to wear a face mask
- Clean your hands with hand sanitiser, or soap and water
- Hold the mask with the coloured side away from you
- Hold the mask by the ear loops and place a loop around each
ear
- Mould the stiff edge to the shape of your nose
- Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin
- Avoid touching the front of the mask
How to remove a face mask
- Avoid touching the front of the mask. Only touch the ear
loops
- Hold both of the ear loops
- Gently lift and remove the mask
- Throw the mask in the designated clinical waste bin (yellow and
black bag)
or
Place the mask into a plastic bag and then into your waste bag, if
you are going to wear your mask home
- Clean your hands with hand sanitiser, or soap and water
Please remember that face masks are not an alternative to social
distancing and good hand hygiene, which are the most important
precautions we can take against infection.
Social distancing
We have installed a number of signs and stickers to reinforce
the social distancing regulations.
You must keep two metres apart from other people and should walk
on the left hand side of corridors and stairs.
Entrances
We are also asking all patients and visitors to only use the
following entrances:
- Hospital main atrium entrance
- Hospital west entrance (near the Boots Pharmacy)
- Brunel Treatment Centre entrance
- Swindon Intermediate Care Centre (SwICC) entrance
You can also enter the Emergency Department, the Urgent Care
Centre and the COVID-19 assessment unit as normal.
If there is somebody entering or exiting the building before
you, please wait your turn so we can ensure social distancing is
maintained.
You will not be permitted to enter the building through the
north entrance, entrance by the PALS office or any other staff-only
entrances.
Visiting a GP Surgery (Moredon, Abbey Meads, Penhill or
Crossroads)
Please note that you must enter the GP surgery through the front
door, follow the one-way system around the building and exit
through a separate door.
You must sit at least one chair apart when waiting in the
waiting area.
Where possible, we are asking patients to wait in their cars
until they are called for their appointment, so that we can
minimise the number of patients who have to use the waiting
areas.
Outpatient appointments
We are pleased to now be able to offer outpatients both
face-to-face and telephone appointments.
We are currently working through our outpatient clinics and will
be reviewing waiting lists, rebooking patients in order of clinical
priority.
You will be advised ahead of your appointment about whether it
will be going ahead face-to-face or virtually when you receive your
appointment letter.
Face-to-face appointments
To maintain social distancing in waiting areas, please
do not arrive any earlier than five minutes before your
appointment.
If you are early, you may be asked to return closer to your
appointment time.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), please
do not attend your appointment.
Please let us know you will not be attending and see the NHS
website (www.nhs.uk) for guidance.
If you have an upcoming telephone appointment
We will phone you, so please be available at the appointment
time you've been given.
Further information
Please see also Visitor guidance.
