Visiting Darent Valley Hospital

Visitor & Outpatient Lateral Flow Self-Testing from Monday 20^th December

We need your support in keeping our patients safe and encourage you to complete a lateral flow test at home before your appointment or visit, where possible.

There are always other bugs and illnesses circulating in the local community, so we would also remind anyone planning to visit not to come to the hospital if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, colds, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea or vomiting. If visiting inpatients, we will continue to ask you to pre-book your visiting appointment and to complete a self-declaration screening tool to confirm you are symptom-free and if you have taken a lateral flow test.

We encourage you to wear a mask, clean your hands regularly and physically distance as much as possible.  We thank you for supporting us with this request. 

Main Entrance

• Our volunteers will welcome you at the hospital front doors again, greeting and directing patients and visitors.
• Our security team have stepped back to the internal doors leading onto the main corridor 'Hospital Street'. Access is gained as per our current guidance (visitor code or appointment letter).
• Our Security teams continue to support the Empress and ED entrances and follow current access guidance.
• We ask that you please continue to wear a face covering, clean hands upon entry and maintain physical distancing where possible within our main foyer, shops and facilities.
• Face masks, visors and hand gel remain available at the front doors as well as with security at the rear of the foyer, please ask if you need one.
• Please note, there will be no access for patients or the public to the staircase within the main foyer.

Virtual Visiting

We understand how important visiting is for our patients and their family and friends. Whilst we are able to continue hospital visiting for 1 named visitor, to help us keep our most vulnerable safe, and give extended family and friends an opportunity to ‘visit’ we recommend ‘virtual visiting’.

Our ward teams and carers are supporting telephone and video ‘virtual visiting’. Friends and family can speak to their loved ones either via the telephone or Zoom video. In order to use Zoom video calling, you will need to have the Zoom app installed on your devise.

How do I request a virtual visit for my loved one?

To request a Video or Telephone visit please speak with the ward team directly, with the following information:

• Email and telephone numbers of those wishing to participate in the call
• The patient's name
• The patient's date of birth
• The ward that the patient in on
• The preferred time and date to talk

Alternatively you can email dgn-tr.compassionatecareteam@nhs.net or call Monday to Friday between 11am and 3pm on 01322 424827, with the patient information detailed above.

What happens once I have made a request for a virtual visit?

Once a request is received, the team will discuss with the ward to ensure that the patient is fit and able to participate, and gain the patient’s consent. They will then contact the friends or family to determine when the conversation can take place. We aim to contact you within 24hours of your request, although this may take longer during periods of high demand for the service.  Please note the request service is not manned during the weekends or bank holidays. If you require an urgent virtual visit out of working hours, please contact the ward nurse in charge directly.

Once a time and date has been agreed, a team member will call the family or friends approximately 10 minutes before the meeting to ensure everyone is at home and knows when to expect.

Once the team open the meeting, the person at home will receive a message that the meeting is open. They then enter the meeting ID and Password (which will have been provided previously) at which time their image will appear on the screen at the hospital end and those at home should be able to see both the patient and all others in the Zoom meeting. Friends and family will then be able to have a multi-person chat with the patient and everyone else logged on.

A member of the team will be with the patient throughout the process to assist where necessary.

Compassionate Visiting

Visiting for vulnerable patients and their carer’s, will be more flexible and assessed on a case by case basis, such as patients with a learning disability, mental health disability, additional needs or where a visitor or carer not being present would cause the patient to be distressed. The same approach will be taken for patients that may require assistance with activities of daily living or communication due to language barriers.  

Outpatients

We have made some changes to our main outpatient department booking in process. Don’t worry, you will be greeted by a member of the Outpatients team in the hospital main reception who will guide you where you need to go. If you cant find a member of the team, please proceed to the main reception desk, on the left as you enter the main foyer. Please be advised our main foyer can be a bit chilly so bring appropriate clothing.

Changes to Outpatient Clinics at Darent Valley Hospital

If you are attending a Main Outpatient Clinic appointment at Darent Valley Hospital, please report to the main hospital reception. There will be a member of the Outpatient staff available at the desk to help direct you to the correct area. 

Fracture Clinic Patients - Once checked in at reception, fracture clinic patients will be seated in the main hospital foyer waiting area and will be called by name for their appointment by one of our outpatient nurses. Please be aware it can be cold in this waiting area, so do wear something warm.

All other Outpatient patients will be directed to the appropriate coloured zone in the Outpatient department by a member of staff.

Outpatients attending Poplar, Gynaecology, Empress, Pine, X-rays and scans/baby scans, please report to these departments at their usual location. Our volunteers and staff in the main reception will be happy to direct you.

Due to social distancing in the waiting areas of outpatients it is NOT possible to allow outpatients to have an accompanying person. Only those requiring assistance from a carer or with communication or mobility difficulties and children, may bring an accompanying person. Radiology patients are encouraged to attend by themselves but where required the limit is 1 other person only attending.

Patients attending for an outpatient appointment will be asked to present their outpatient letter or text reminder on arrival. 

Any visitor given a limited access pass will be asked if they have or develop Covid–19 symptoms, they MUST NOT attend. Alternative arrangements can be made.

Children's Outpatients

Children attending Outpatient appointments and The Children's Resource Centre are to be accompanied by 1 parent/guardian only. 

We are unable to accommodate other family members or siblings. In exceptional circumstances, where all other childcare arrangements have been exhausted, siblings may be able to attend. It’s important you phone the team to inform them of extra children attending 01322 428232.

We advise that you bring some activities for your child to pass the time in the waiting area. Its important children remain seated and supervised at all times by their accompanying parent/guardian to maintain safety and social distancing. We ask that children and babies are not placed on the floor to play due to the risk of infection.  

Maternity

The Maternity Department has limitations in place. Read these HERE.  

Attending A&E

• Patients attending our Emergency Department can be accompanied by a maximum of one person/carer if they choose to (commencing Monday 21st March).
• Regretfully, we are unable to accommodate the accompanying person in our Urgent Treatment Centre due to space limitations in the waiting area and the nature of the department.
• We ask that you continue to wear a face mask, unless exempt, where we ask that you wear a visor (which is available on request)
• Please do not request access to the hospital if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, unless for emergency treatment. 

Paediatric A&E

• Children who are acutely unwell, in Resus, or have complex medical needs will be able to be accompanied by both parents/guardians, once admitted into a cubicle or Resus room.
• Where the parent/guardian requires emotional support or support with difficult decisions about the care of the child, both parents can be present whilst in the cubicle.
• If the child is admitted to hospital, we are pleased to be able to facilitate both parents/guardians being present throughout the daytime and for your child’s Drs round. We ask that only 1 parent/guardian stays overnight.
• Due to space limitations within our waiting areas, we are only able to facilitate 1 parent/guardian accompanying the child. Parents/guardians can swap over whilst in the waiting areas to provide rest bite.
• We do rotate our cubicles and treatment areas, and in circumstances where the child is well but awaiting results, we may ask you to return to the waiting area from your cubicle. If both parents/guardians are present, only 1 person can remain with the child in the waiting area.

Below is some general practical advice and support for individuals visiting and accompanying patients at DGT:

• Transport (travelling to and from the hospital) – Where possible, arrange to drive yourself, or be driven to and from the hospital by a member of your household or bubble, to minimise the risk of exposure to others. When travelling by  public transport or taxis, we advise you to wear a face covering, physically distance where possible and clean your hands regularly, especially after touching 'high contact touch points' such as door handles/rails, stop buttons and seats/chairs. 
• Personal belongings - Bring as few personal belongings as possible with you, e.g. bags, handbags, electronic devices, gifts and only non-perishable food for the patient. Take the opportunity to take any valuables your loved one may have home for safe keeping.
• Face coverings – We ask that you wear face coverings on entry to the hospital buildings and within the hospital and departments. If you are wearing your own cloth type face covering you must change to a hospital face mask on arrival to the ward or department, theses will be provided. If you are wearing a hospital type face mask on entry to the hospital you can keep this one on for the duration of your visit. Those who are medically exempt from wearing a face covering/mask, will be asked to wear a visor where possible. These are available in the main reception. 
• Gloves - Please do not wear plastic/surgical gloves, if you are wearing gloves you will be asked to remove them. Gloves can easily cross contaminate and hand hygiene is a much more effective method. There are hand gel stations available throughout your journey through the hospital, and at entry and exit points of wards and departments.
• COVID Vaccination and testing – You need to continue to follow all the same precautions to prevent the spread of COVID even when you have been vaccinated. Although you might not get sick you could still spread it to others. We are unable to accept any community testing results as we cannot validate them. We encourage you to carry out a rapid Covid test (lateral flow test) before you visit the hospital.

Social distancing – Where possible maintain a 2 metre/6 foot space physical distance.

Arriving at the ward or department – sanitise with hand gel or wash your hands with soap and water on entering, staff will support you with any other instructions and guide you to your loved one. We recommend you use the hand gels provided, but if you have your own please ensure it is effective against bacteria AND viruses.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – In addition to wearing a face mask visitors may be required to wear personal protective equipment such as a plastic apron and surgical gloves if assisting with personal care. Staff will guide and support you in this. Going to the toilet and having had a small drink before putting on PPE can help avoid the need to remove it and put it back on during the visit.

Stay with your loved one - Another patient may ask you for help, it may be something simple such as passing something. If you or another patient needs assistance please call for help, or where appropriate ask your loved one, or another patient to press their call bell.

Leaving the hospital - Wash or sanitise your hands on leaving the ward/department and hospital. Only remove your mask once you have left the hospital building. Sanitise your hands following removal of your face mask, and dispose of your face mask appropriately in the bins provided at hospital exit points.

Vulnerable individuals – If you are extremely clinically vulnerable due to a medical condition or you live with someone who is extremely clinically vulnerable due to a medical condition, we recommend you do not visit due to the increased risk of exposure to the virus.

Alternatives to visiting – If you are unable to visit in person, please talk to staff about arranging a virtual video or telephone visit. 

What not to do when visiting someone in hospital

• It's best not to sit on the patient's bed, as this can spread germs. Use the chairs provided.
• Do not put your feet on the patient's bed.
• Do not touch the patient's wounds or any medical equipment they're attached to, such as drips or catheters. This can cause infections.
• Do not use the patients' toilets. Use the hospital's public toilets.
• Do not share a patient's toiletries, tissues or hospital equipment with other patients or leave them in communal areas.