Coronavirus: update from Enfield Healthwatch

Changes to visiting inpatients at local hospitals due to Coronavirus

As a precuationary measure, local hospitals such as The North Middlesex University Hospital and The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (including Chase Farm and Barnet Hospitals) have made temporary changes to their visiting times and restrictions.

North Middlesex University Hospital

As a precuationary measure, we have reduced the visiting hours to our wards to 4pm-7pm. To reduce the risk of spread of infection and to keep our hospital running, please consider not visiting a relative or friend in hospital if you have cold or flu like symptoms.

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (including Chase Farm & Barnet Hospitals)

The Royal Free London is putting measures in place to protect patients, visitors and staff during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. During this period, only one visitor at a time is permitted to visit in-patients in our hospitals.

National guidance about Coronavirus

The most up to date national guidance about Coronavirus can be found on the Public Health England website and on the NHS 111 website.

What to do if you have Coronavirus symptoms

Currently, the government is urging you to stay at home if you have Coronavirus symptoms. Stay at home for 7 days if you have either: a high temperature OR a new, continuous cough. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. The Government will not be testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms. Read the NHS advice about staying at home.

Use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if:

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • your condition gets worse
  • your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Please use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service if you need help. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

How to self isolate if you’re asked to

If there’s a chance you could have Coronavirus, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate). This means you should:

  • stay at home
  • not go to work, school or public places
  • not use public transport or taxis
  • ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
  • try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food

You may need to do this for up to 14 days to help reduce the possible spread of infection. Coronavirus self isolation advice is available here.

Further information

NHS England had produced a list of common questions about Coronavirus, covering advice for you and your family, how it’s caught and spread, prevention, self-isolation, testing and treatment and foreign travel.

Other places for information:

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