Coronavirus – guidance in line with I&ESCCG and WSCCG:
The NHS in Suffolk and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
The current advice is; if you have developed a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature stay at home and do not leave your house for 14 days from when your symptoms started.
People in the 'at risk' categories below should be self isolating on advice from Public Health England.
· aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
· under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
· chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
· chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
· chronic kidney disease
· chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
· chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
· diabetes
· problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
· a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
· being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
· those who are pregnant
Do not attend your physiotherapy appointment.
Do not go to a GP surgery or hospital. Stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
If your symptoms worsen during home isolation, or you are not better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access you should call 111.
Further information is available on gov.uk/coronavirus and nhs.uk.
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan, Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the hospital and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.
Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority and, unless you have recently returned from a country listed above, are symptomatic as above or otherwise concerned about your general health, are encouraged to attend all physiotherapy appointments as usual.
If you need to cancel your physiotherapy appointments, you can e mail us at centraladmin@nhs.net or phone on 03330 433966.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Last updated 13th March 2020