Coronavirus (Covid-19) and changes to our normal services

Cohort wards have been set up in protected locations across Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital Burton for patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. These wards are staffed by teams of highly experienced doctors, nurses and other colleagues who are appropriately trained and equipped to provide this care effectively.

Please rest assured that all of our key workers on the wards are being issued with all of the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and are strictly following national guidance around infection control, to keep both themselves and our patients safe.

Treatment

Maintaining patient safety is a priority and changes may be necessary as the situation evolves. For example, your specialist teams may encourage phone consultation rather than seeing you in person, to minimise any risk to you.

Protect yourself

Stay up to date with the latest guidance:

• Follow the NHS guidance on coronavirus (opens in new window) >
• Get Public Health England (PHE) guidance on coronavirus (opens in new window) >

If you have symptoms of coronavirus

• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, use the NHS 111 online tool for advice on what to do. You should also speak to the hospital department responsible for your care.

Bringing relatives to appointments

In order to minimise crowding, we ask you to travel alone to the hospital if you’re able, in line with national social distancing advice.

If you have anyone coming with you when you have your treatment, they should wait outside the hospital. This helps us minimise further risk to you and other patients.

We appreciate this is a difficult time so if you have any concerns, please speak to the nurse in charge on the day of your appointment.

Risk to previous cancer patients

Most people make a full recovery after cancer treatment and their immune system either recovers fully or is not affected. But the type of cancer and the treatment you have had may increase your risk from coronavirus.

If you are taking hormone tablets or injections for cancer, you are at no more risk of contracting coronavirus. You should continue your medication and take the appropriate hand washing and social distancing measures.

Find out more about the risks of coronavirus to cancer patients (opens in new window) >

Advice for carers

If you care for someone with cancer or receiving cancer treatment, you should follow social distancing measures and take extra care to protect them from coronavirus.

Get guidance for carers concerned about coronavirus (opens in new window) >

For information for pregant women see our  Maternity Services during coronavirus >

Breastfeeding

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, we advise that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breast milk.

However, you should take the following precautions:
 

• wash your hands before you touch your baby, your breast pump or any bottles
• avoid coughing or sneezing on your baby while you breastfeed
• clean your breast pump after every use
• wear a face mask while you breastfeed, if you have one
   

Whatever method of feeding, consider asking someone who is well to feed your baby. If you are breastfeeding, you can express your milk so someone else can bottle feed.

Your baby’s movements matter

If you notice that your baby is not moving or the movements have changed or reduced, you still need to call the hospital you are booked to give birth at immediately. Even if you think you may have Covid-19 symptoms you must contact the hospital and we will arrange for you to be seen in an isolation area to check you and your baby are healthy. Do not wait for your next midwife appointment.

If you develop symptoms of coronavirus, you should call NHS 111 and follow national Coronavirus guidance (opens in new window) >.

Treatment

You should continue your immunosuppressive medication, including steroids, unless instructed otherwise by your clinician.

If you stop taking your medication, it could cause a flare up of your condition which could increase your risk of complications if you get coronavirus.

It is advisable to avoid using anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, to treat symptoms of possible coronavirus. If you have been taking these types of medications to treat a long term condition, there is no need to stop them if you remain well.

Intraveneous (IV) treatment

Your immunosuppressive treatment will continue, even if you are practicing social distancing, including:

• Infliximab
• Vedolizumab
• Ustekinumab
• Tocilizimab
• Abatacept

If you have viral symptoms, such as a continuous cough or high temperature, please contact NHS 111.

In cases where an infection of any kind is confirmed, it may be necessary to stop your immunosuppressive treatment for a time.

Risk from coronavirus

Current national advice for people at high risk (opens in new window) > considers patients on immunosuppressive therapy at increased risk from coronavirus, and steps should be taken to isolate as much as possible and work from home.

People who live with you should continue to practice good hand hygiene and safe social distancing.

Rheumatology patients and Covid-19 vaccines

The doctors and nurses at UHDB strongly recommend that all patients are fully vaccinated if at all possible.

Many medications used by Rheumatology to treat inflammatory conditions dampen down the immune system. This is called immunosuppressant treatment. If a Rheumatology patient is on immunosuppressant treatment then they will benefit from extra doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The latest extra dose is called the "Spring Booster". This can be booked online or by ringing 119. Rheumatology patients do not need a letter to book this but it is essential that they take evidence that they are on immunosuppressant medication when they attend for the vaccine.

Sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, allopurinol and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen are not immunosuppressants. If you are not sure if you are eligible then speak to your GP, pharmacist or Rheumatology advice service.

A guide to the spring booster for those aged 75 years and older and older residents in care homes (opens in new window) >

 

Rheumatology patients and new treatments for Covid-19

The NHS is using new treatments for coronavirus in people who are considered at risk from severe Covid-19, such as those on strong immunosuppressant treatment. You might be suitable for these treatments if a PCR or lateral flow test confirms that you have coronavirus. These treatments need to be given quickly after you start to feel unwell. They can help to stop you from getting seriously ill from coronavirus.

To save time, make sure you have a PCR and lateral flow kit ready at home. Use both if you think you might have Covid-19 (even if mild).

If the lateral flow test is positive you must submit the result via the NHS website (opens in new window) > or phone 119, otherwise the NHS will not know if you have tested positive and you may not be able to access treatment. If either tests are positive, ring your GP or 111 so that you can be assessed for the treatment.

Found about more about treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) (opens in new window) >

Unless we have contacted you to cancel or rearrange your appointment, please attend as planned. Where possible, we may be able to offer you a phone call or digital appointment instead. If this is the case, we will let you know by phone or by post in advance.

You must not attend your appointment if you should be self-isolating because you, or somebody close to you, has, or has had, symptoms.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus

• Do not book an appointment or visit a GP surgery or hospital.
• Follow specific public health advice and use NHS 111 online if your symptoms worsen.

All other patients

• Contact your GP surgery if you need medical help.
• Continue to attend appointments, unless you are contacted directly to advise otherwise, or if you have symptoms that require you to self-isolate.
• If you are unable to attend an appointment due to self-isolation, you should contact the hospital through usual routes for advice on what to do.
• If you have not been contacted directly by the team that manages your care to make any other arrangements at this point, you should plan to attend as normal.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you are staying at home. Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

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.