In today’s update:
- PPE procedures remain in place
- Social distancing
- Changes to asymptomatic patient isolation procedures
- Staff advised to order LFD tests free from the Government portal
PPE procedures remain in place
Staff are reminded that appropriate PPE is required in all areas, including wearing surgical masks in and around Trust buildings.
Full details of the required PPE can be found here: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/what-to-wear-and-when/
All other infection prevention safety measures remain in place.
Social distancing
In line with the latest COVID-19 Infection Prevention Guidance, social distancing is no longer required in healthcare settings.
This includes waiting areas in inpatient and outpatient settings, the emergency department, patient transport and office accommodation.
All areas can now return to pre-pandemic physical distancing.
However, staff are again reminded that PPE guidance remains in place, and surgical face masks must continue to be worn in all public and break out areas, office accommodation and in any meeting setting.
Changes to asymptomatic patient isolation procedures – effective immediately
Inpatients who are considered contacts of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 cases are no longer required to isolate if they are asymptomatic (with the exception of contacts who are on Haematology Ward/2A or Lilac Centre – see below).
If symptoms occur they should be tested and isolated or cohorted with other symptomatic contacts COVID-19.
COVID-19 contacts on Haematology Ward/2A or Lilac Centre: Given the increased susceptibility of severely immunosuppressed patients to COVID-19, COVID-19 contacts in these areas must be isolated for 10 days following exposure regardless of symptoms.
If inpatients are discharged to their own home, and they are asymptomatic, they and their household should be advised to follow the government guidance for People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19.
If inpatients are discharged to care settings, they should be advised to remain isolated from others for the remainder of the 10-days post-exposure. The discharging clinical team is responsible for informing the receiving organisation of the patient’s COVID exposure status.
Staff advised to order LFD tests free from the Government portal
In advance of expected changes to staff testing procedures, ALL staff are advised to have at least a 5 day supply of LFD tests available at home at all times.
LFD tests continue to be available free to NHS staff through the gov.uk portal: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.
The current staff testing procedures remain in place, and staff should continue to follow current self-isolation procedures, should they test positive for COVID-19: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/self-isolation-guidance/
Any changes to the above will be communicated to staff before they come into effect. Please keep up-to-date via the staff COVID update emails, and via the staff COVID website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/