People visiting or attending planned and outpatient care appointments in Kent and Medway’s hospitals are reminded to please bring and wear face coverings.
Wearing a face covering helps reduce the risk of you spreading the virus and will support the extra steps NHS services are taking to ensure hospitals and other sites are safe to visit.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s Chief Nurse Paula Wilkins (pictured) said: “People infected with COVID-19 can have very mild or no respiratory symptoms (asymptomatic) and can transmit the virus to others without being aware of it.
“Face coverings are different to the masks you will see staff wearing. They can be cloth or homemade and should cover the nose and mouth of the wearer.”
“If you are going to a hospital or other healthcare setting, either as a visitor or for outpatient care, please wear a face covering."
Advice on how to wear and make one can be found on the government website.
Face coverings worn as part of religious beliefs or cultural practice are also acceptable, providing they are not loose and cover the mouth and nose.
Shielding?
If you are currently shielding and have been provided with a surgical face mask for your appointments, please continue to use this.
If you have not been provided with a surgical face mask, you should wear a face covering.
Difficulties with wearing a face mask or covering?
For some people, wearing a face covering may be difficult due to physical or mental health conditions.
In these instances, other measures will be considered on a case by case basis, for example timed appointments and being seen immediately on arrival.
If you are a deaf or hearing impaired, hospital staff will have a range of communication options to ensure that they can communicate effectively with you.
This might include the use of clear masks where possible, as well as visual aids such as writing things down, speech to text apps and sign language.
All visitors will be expected to comply with existing social distancing and hand hygiene measures in addition to the face coverings while in the hospital setting.
Where do I go for more information?
Each trust (hospital, community and mental health) has further information about visiting its sites and attending appointments on its website:
