Coming in for planned surgery during Covid-19
In order to keep our patients and staff safe during the coronavirus pandemic, patients will need to self-isolate and have a Covid-19 test before their planned surgery.
Following new guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the rules around self-isolating prior to a planned surgical procedure have changed.
Patients must now follow comprehensive social distancing and hand hygiene measures for 14 days before admission. Patients must also have a Covid-19 test from three days before admission and self-isolate with their household from the day of the test until admission.
Patients who are at greater risk of getting coronavirus, or having a poorer outcome if they get it are advised to self-isolate for 14 days prior to admission and be tested from three days before admission. Your consultant will advise you if this is necessary.
If you are unable to isolate effectively or be tested before coming to hospital, your admission may be rescheduled. This will be determined by your care team using clinical judgement and in consultation with you.
We will book an appointment for you to have a Coronavirus swab test 48-72 hours before your admission date. The swab will take place at the Centrum car park at Norwich Research Park Innovation Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich.
We will check the results the day before you are admitted, and you will only be admitted if your result is negative. If your test is positive, the consultant in charge of your care will contact you.
What does self-isolation mean?
You will need to remain indoors and avoid contact with other people, other than the people you live with, who will also need to self-isolate.
- stay at home
- not go to work, school, universities or public areas
- not use public transport
- not attend health care facilities unless for emergency treatment
- not attend faith-based facilities
- not attend grocery stores, restaurants or supermarkets
- avoid any visitors to your home
- ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you – such as getting groceries, medications or other shopping
Having a test for coronavirus
We will book an appointment for you to have a Coronavirus swab test 48-72 hours before your admission date. The swab will take place at the Centrum car park at Norwich Research Park Innovation Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich.
We will check the results the day before you are admitted, and you will only be admitted if your result is negative. If your test is positive, the consultant in charge of your care will contact you.
You can be reassured that everyone attending the Surgical Department for a planned procedure will have been through the same tests and will have had a negative swab result prior to their admission.
On your day of admission, if possible, we ask that only the patient having the procedure enters the building. You will be advised either to attend the Arthur South building for daycases, or the Same Day Admission Unit on level 3 for inpatient stays.
Please do not go to any other area of the hospital.
If you have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact the Consultant in charge of your care.