COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
How we are changing the delivery of care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic
In light of the current Covid-19 advice on social distancing (avoiding close contact with other people) we are advising people not to come to QEH unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have questions about your care at QEH and the changes we are putting in place please contact our Covid-19 hotline 01553 214545.
Appointments and consultations at QEH
We are prioritising our cancer and clinically urgent patients. If you have an outpatient appointment, please assume you will hear from us by telephone at the time that you would have been due to be seen at the hospital. Most of our (non-urgent) outpatient consultations will be carried out by phone, where safe to do so from now on. Only surgery and other procedures relating to cancer or clinically-urgent cases will go ahead as planned. We will rearrange operations as soon as possible and apologise to patients for any inconvenience or distress this causes. If you need a blood test you should speak to whoever gave you the form for the blood test (usually your GP or hospital consultant) for advice as to whether you still need to have it done now, and if it is appropriate for you to attend the hospital for this.
Visiting our hospital
We have adapted our visiting arrangements in response to the latest national guidance, and to ensure everyone’s safety.
The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor – an immediate family member or carer – will be permitted to visit are:
- The patient you wish to visit is receiving end of life care
- You are the birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour
- You are a parent or appropriate adult visiting a child
- You are attending our Emergency Department (but must remain with the patient at all times)
Parking
We have lifted the barriers in all of our car parks – so parking will be free for all patients, visitors and staff. We hope this move will make this difficult situation slightly better for our patients and staff. It will also make it more affordable to everyone to use their cars, rather than public transport, to get to the hospital for urgent appointments and care, and to our staff who are coming into work to care for our patients. These changes apply to the QEH site in Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, and at car parks at North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech, where services including community midwives and maternity clinics are based.
Emergency and urgent care
Our Emergency Department is for patients with urgent and immediately life-threatening conditions. This is even more important during this current situation. Please consider visiting the NHS 111 website or calling their phoneline, contacting your GP surgery or pharmacist, and self-care unless your condition is a suspected emergency.
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