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To help keep everyone safe, we are offering more appointments by video and telephone.
Check your appointment letter or register for Beth to confirm how your appointment will take place.
If your appointment is by telephone and/or video call, and you need any support call the number on your appointment letter.
Some things to consider:
Having a quiet and private space to talk
Your phone or device is charged or near charging point
If it’s a video call your device wifi is on
If it’s a video call, if possible, have a phone handy as a backup
If your appointment is in person, at one of our community or hospital sites:
Don't arrive more than 10 minutes early for your appointment
Clean your hands with sanitiser when you arrive
Wear a face covering. We will provide one if needed.
If you are exempt from wearing a mask, please call the number on your appointment letter so we can arrange other safety measures.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired, we might use clear masks and visual aids such as writing things down, speech to text apps and sign language.
Respect social distancing guidance during your visit, including while you are with your clinician.
Help us limit the number of people on our sites by attending your appointment alone, unless you have assistance or communication needs.
Please do not attend your appointment if you have COVID-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss of sense of taste or smell) or if you or your family are self-isolating.
We have changed the way we provide medication to help reduce the risk of Covid for patients, carers and staff.
This might mean you receive a larger supply of tablets, or a depot injection every 4 weeks instead of every 2 weeks so you don't have to leave home so often.
If you are a carer, please consider preparing and sharing a backup plan for your loved one and your key contacts so everyone knows what to do if you become unwell.
The plan should include:
Who to contact if you are unwell, such as family, friends or professionals
Details of any ongoing treatment for the person you care for
Details of their medication and when it should be taken
For more information about backup plans, and other subjects, visit Carers UK.
We have taken the difficult decision to suspend visits for hospital patients to protect patients, visitors and staff.
In exceptional circumstances we might be able to allow a visit, but only if this is safe to do so.
Please use other ways to stay in touch such as phone or video calls, emails, group chats or online games.
Contact the ward or department in advance to arrange calls.
As a carer, you should be given the contact details of the team that is providing a service to your family member or friend, and the name of the person responsible for their care.
The coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against Covid-19.
The vaccine is being offered in some hospitals and in many community locations to:
some people aged 80 and over
people who work and live in care homes
health care workers at high risk
The vaccine will be offered more widely, and at other locations, as soon as possible.
You need to be registered with a GP surgery in England to get the vaccine. You can register with a GPif you do not have one.
Recent guidance is that unpaid carers are eligible for the vaccine at the same time as the person they care for. You need to be registered as a carer. Please do this on your GP website if possible.
Please wait to be contacted about the vaccine. The NHS will let you know when it is your turn. It is important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.