Barts Health hospitals: Here for you, safe for all | Our news

Barts Health NHS Trust’s hospitals have been adapting the way they operate so staff can continue to treat and care for patients safely while Covid-19 remains a threat to everyone’s health. It is safe for anyone to attend the hospitals and access the care they need.

Due to the pandemic, the hospitals look and feel a bit different because of the precautions in place to protect staff and patients. Patients with Covid-19 are cared for in dedicated areas, so the right infection control and measures are in place for them, and other patients are treated separately.

All staff, patients and visitors are wearing face coverings, washing their hands often and keeping a safe distance from others, in order to maintain the highest standards of infection control.

Planned operations, paused at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, have now restarted across all specialities, beginning with the most urgent cases.

Patients coming in for surgery are advised to follow strict infection control steps at home before their procedure, such as social distancing and washing their hands more often. Some patients may also be required to self-isolate for more complex operations.

To ensure as many patients as possible can receive the care they need, some surgery is taking place in independent hospitals, using Barts Health clinicians and paid for by the NHS.

Andrew O’Doherty, a 56-year-old retired GP from Essex, had open heart surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on 25 June, after a routine scan picked up a metastatic tumour in his heart.

He said: “I was given very clear advice about the admission and discharge procedures and I was admitted 48 hours prior to my operation to allow time for a Covid-19 swab before surgery.

“When I arrived, my details were taken by a receptionist who was sitting behind a Perspex screen and wearing a mask and gloves. All staff were wearing PPE and sticking to precautions to minimise infection transmission.

“I felt reassured while in hospital that everyone was doing everything they could to reduce possible spread of Covid-19. I would encourage anyone who needs to access St Bartholomew's Hospital for an operation during this pandemic to do so without any concerns.”

During the pandemic, almost 70,000 outpatient appointments took place over video or telephone. Some face-to-face appointments have now restarted, but the majority of consultations continue to take place virtually.

Rev. Nana Banyin, a 65-year-old from South East London, had a video consultation with Mr Mohamed Thaha, a consultant in colorectal surgery at The Royal London Hospital on 16 July.

Nana said: “I know some people will be hesitant about virtual appointments but I think you’re more relaxed because you’re at home in a familiar environment, and it means you can take your time and chat to your doctor. I would recommend these appointments to other people and I’m keen to carry on using them in future, even after the pandemic.”

The first port of call if you are unwell is contacting your GP or NHS 111 unless it is a life-changing emergency, in which case the advice is to call 999 or come directly to your nearest Emergency Department.

All of Barts Health Emergency Departments have a queuing system and the waiting rooms have restricted numbers to make sure the departments do not become over-crowded and to allow for social distancing. The waiting and clinical areas are also separated for people who have Covid-19 symptoms and those who don’t.

Leila Skye, who is 71 and from Wanstead, was taken to Whipps Cross Emergency Department on 14 July as she was experiencing severe pain and lost the use in her right leg. She spent just over a week in hospital.

She said: “Even through the pain I noticed the difference in hospital. I was in A&E for a short time and then taken to an area to be tested for Covid-19. I tested negative and was taken to a ‘covid free’ ward.

“I could tell that there was lots of space so everyone could socially distance, and all the staff were wearing face masks. I felt very reassured as a patient, from the very moment I got in the ambulance, right the way through to being discharged.”

Maternity services have continued throughout the pandemic, with around 3,500 babies born at our hospitals during this time.

Kate Budgen gave birth at Newham Hospital recently. She said: “The staff did as much as they could to keep everything as normal as possible, considering circumstances were anything but normal. They wore masks, but I never felt like the pandemic would affect the care I would receive and any questions I had were answered honestly and directly.”

For more information about attending Barts Health hospitals: 

Coronavirus: Guidance for patients and visitors  

Films explaining what to expect when you attend hospital 

Take a tour of our hospitals 

An animation to help you prepare for your visit