Staying at home before your child’s operation will reduce the risk of you and your child getting coronavirus (COVID 19) before the operation.

You will be contacted by telephone one week prior to the planned surgery date (detailed within the accompanying letter) by a nurse to complete a telephone pre-assessment. If you have not received a call one week prior to surgery please contact the Riverbank ward on 01234 792204. During the telephone assessment you will be given a date and time to attend the hospital for a swab test for Covid 19 – the child and the parent who will attend with the child on the day of surgery will both require a swab.

Prior to surgery the patient and family members in the same household need to adhere to the following instructions;

• Remain at home self-isolating for 14 days before the date of surgery. Do not go to work, school or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis.
• If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, and any exercise should be taken within your home.
• If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you will need to ask friends or relatives. Alternatively you can order your shopping online and order your medication online or over the phone. Delivery drivers should not come into your home, deliveries should be left on the door step for you to collect.
• Plan ahead and think about what you will need in order to be able to stay at home for the full 14 days.
• Make sure that you keep in contact with friends and family over the phone or through social media.
• Wash hands often – Hands should be cleaned frequently each day by washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or by using hand sanitizer. To help a child time 20 seconds they can sing the tune happy birthday. This step is one of the most effective ways of reducing the risk of passing infection to others.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes – Adults and children alike should cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, sneeze into the crook or your elbow, not into your hands.
• Do not have visitors in your home – Do not invite or allow social visitors, such as other friends and family, to enter your home. If you want to speak to someone who is not a member of your family household, use the phone or social media. If you or a family member receives essential care in the home, then carers should continue to visit. Carers will be provided with facemasks and gloves to reduce the risk to the household and themselves.

If you test positive for Coronavirus (Covid 19) a decision regarding re-scheduling/re-prioritising your surgery will be made by your responsible consultant. You will be contacted with the result and provided self-care advice and details regarding a revised date.

If you develop symptoms or become unwell in anyway before your operation please call the Riverbank ward on 01234 792204 who will advise you on what to do.

Please go to the Public Health England website for more general information on Covid 19 and stay at home advice.