The Isle of Wight NHS Trust will be continuing their services at St Mary’s Hospital as they did over the summer, facilitating social distancing throughout the hospital and continuing strict infection control measures.
As we enter the second lockdown, which comes into force from Thursday 5th November, the Trust is urging people that, unless they hear otherwise, they continue to use its services. Arrive for scans, turn up for appointments and pick up your medication.
The Trust wants everyone to continue to access health services now and throughout the winter.
Steve Parker, Medical Director, has said:
“Over the past few months, we have taken several steps to ensure staff, patients and visitors to our sites remain safe and have reopened our services to the Island community.
“Alongside caring those who have been experiencing severe coronavirus symptoms, our staff have gone to great lengths to make sure that people who do not have COVID-19 can safely access our services.
“So whether you or a loved one has a routine appointment or a health concern, our message is clear – you are not a burden, our hospital is safe and we are here to care for you. So please help us to help you and use our services as you usually would.”
To ensure St Mary’s can keep its services open, it is vital that Island residents follow the UK Government measures by staying at home as much as possible, working from home where you can and remembering hands, face and space when out in public.
As part of the lockdown coming into force on Thursday, the Trust is reviewing its policy regarding visitors and accompanied scans and will provide an update soon. Until then, St Mary’s and other sites will welcome visitors as usual. The hospital will continue to welcome birthing partners during lockdown.
When attending an appointment at St Mary’s Hospital remember:
- To follow the social distancing guidelines
- Bring a face covering with you which should be worn at all times
- Wash or sanitise your hands on arrival and when leaving the building
- Arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment time
- Report to Main Outpatients Reception as normal
- Attend unaccompanied unless a chaperone is required
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust echoes the words of the leader of the council, Councillor Dave Stewart in that:
“the community on the Island all came together during the first lockdown to provide support to those that needed it most and I have absolutely no doubt that we will do so again. The most important thing we can do as a community is embrace this opportunity to protect those we love from this horrible disease”.
Let’s hope they are NOT carrying on their service ‘as they did’ over the Summer. I am still awaiting an important appointment from Spring.
Whilst realising that cv patients took up much time for many staff, not all departments were involved, but of course all areas did have to prep for cv safety, making such safe for patients and staff alike.
So I hope they can catch up somewhat and this new lockdown doesn’t mean that cv is STILL the only ‘certainty’ of getting treated or seen anytime soon.
It is NOT the only harmful or serious problem around.
CV the ONLY way of being ‘seen’ it would seem.
‘Figures obtained by the Health Service Journal, which the BBC understands are correct, suggest just over 80% of beds are occupied. That’s actually a little bit lower than it was last winter…’
I suspect there is a considerable problem in getting referred in the first place