Close-up of staff nurse

Staying safe during your visit

As we continue to move out of the Covid-19 pandemic we have removed many of our remaining Covid-19 measures in line with national NHS guidance.

We’ve learned a lot over the past three years which is helping us understand how best to keep everyone safe as we return to more usual ways of working.

We are now focusing more on best practice prevention and control measures for key infections, not just Covid-19.

Our safety measures for patients and visitors

If you are asked to come to the hospital, please follow these instructions for every visit:

Before your appointment, we will call you to talk about the safety measures we have in place. All patients must continue to follow all of the infection prevention and control measures in place across our hospitals.

Currently:

  1. You are not required to wear a face mask or physically distance in non-clinical areas, including entrances, lifts, stairwells and restaurants. However, you may continue to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable wearing one. Some of our staff may continue to wear masks either through personal choice or due the nature of the tasks they are undertaking.
  2. We have removed the requirement to wear masks in some clinical areas – depending on the risks of infection for patients and staff. You will not be required to wear a mask in most outpatient, maternity or diagnostic clinics.
  3. Our staff – supported by local signage – will let you know if you are in an area where you still need to wear a mask.
  4. If you are asked to wear a face mask in a particular area but are exempt from doing so, speak to our clinical staff. They will find suitable, alternative ways for you to wait, be treated or visit in order to manage the additional risks to you and those around you.
  5. If you are coming in for an outpatient, maternity or diagnostic appointment, you are welcome to have someone with you.

Visiting

Visiting has returned to our pre-pandemic approach. You do not need to book a visiting time but, as before, you will need to check visiting hours for the specific ward or unit. If you are visiting someone who has an infection – or who is especially vulnerable to infection – you will be required to wear a face mask and, in some cases, other personal protective equipment. Staff locally will let you know what is required.

Find out more about visiting.

Before coming to hospital for a procedure or surgery

Before your appointment

To minimise your risk of getting Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses before your procedure or surgery, try to limit your contact with people outside of your household in the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment. If you have to meet people, try to meet outside or somewhere with good ventilation.

Covid-19 testing before your procedure or surgery

You no longer need to do a lateral flow or PCR test before you come into hospital if you do not have any Covid-19 symptoms. This is in line with the latest government guidance.

In some exceptional circumstances your doctor may still ask you to do a test, but this is very rare. This would be discussed with you before your admission to hospital.

If you have recently tested positive for Covid-19, please call the ward number on your appointment letter to get further advice.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms, please call the ward number on your appointment letter to get further advice.

 

How to get a lateral flow test if you have Covid-19 symptoms 

If required or requested by your medical team, you can visit a pharmacy to buy a pack of lateral flow tests. A pack usually contains seven tests and will cost under 10 pounds.

Blind and low-vision people can use the app to get visual help with Covid testing.

If you are unsure, please call us on +44 (0)20 3311 7700.

If you test positive for Covid-19 or develop symptoms

If you test positive for Covid-19 or develop symptoms, please do not come into hospital but call the ward number on your appointment letter for further advice.

Coming into hospital for your procedure or surgery

Check your letter for details on where to go when you arrive. If you are not sure where to go, please ask for help or directions from the staff at the hospital entrance or the receptionists.

Please do not go into any other wards or clinical areas other than those where you have a booked appointment. If you need to have a carer with you, they should also follow the infection, prevention, and control measures in place in that area.

Information for maternity patients

Ultrasound scans and antenatal appointments 

One support person can attend appointments and ultrasound scans. Please do not bring children or any other family members. 

Covid-19 testing for pregnant people

Birthing people and their support partners no longer need to test for routine appointments, even if they are staying overnight in hospital. 

If you have a positive Covid-19 result, please call The Lindo Wing labour ward on 020 3312 1608 or the Clayton ward on 02 033 131 466 so we can plan your care following local guidelines. 

To minimise your risk of getting Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses before your procedure or surgery, try to limit your contact with people outside of your household in the two weeks leading up to your appointment. If you have to meet people, try to meet outside or somewhere with good ventilation. 

Read about maternity visiting guidelines.

Stem cell banking

Stem cell banking has now resumed in our hospitals. Please ask your consultant or midwife for further information.

International patients

If you are travelling to the UK for treatment at Imperial College Healthcare Private Care, there is some important information to consider before you leave:

You will need to comply with the UK government’s guidance on conditions for overseas travel and quarantine restrictions. All the latest travel advice is available on the UK government website.  Before travelling to the UK, please consider current travel restrictions, what the risks are and how this might impact your plans. Please note we cannot provide any assurances, or take responsibility for, the decisions of immigration or public health officials

You will need to make your own travel arrangements and comply with the relevant quarantine arrangements if they are in place at the time of your travel before your appointment at Imperial College Healthcare Private Care.

Before you travel to the UK please ensure you are aware of the government guidelines for screening and testing requirements

If you have any questions or if you would like to make a booking, please contact us by submitting your details. Alternatively, you can call +44 (0)20 3311 7700 or email imperial.private.healthcare@nhs.net and one of our helpful team members will be in contact.