Watch our video on our enhanced safety measures
Discover the measures put in place at HCA Healthcare UK hospitals and clinics to maintain patient and colleague safety during Coronavirus. In the face of extraordinary challenge, healthcare has been transformed but HCA UK's goal of safe, high quality care has remained the same.
From infection prevention protocols, meticulous clinical environments to socially-distanced layouts of hospitals, every process has been reviewed to ensure HCA UK provides the safest places for your care.
Our world has changed, we have too
In the face of extraordinary challenge, healthcare has been transformed, but our dedication to safe, high quality care has remained the same. When you visit us, you will notice we have put new measures in place to support this.
From extra infection prevention measures, to the layout of our hospitals with social distancing in mind, everything we do has been reviewed to make sure we are providing the safest places for your care. These measures are guided by both national and international best practice.
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to change and develop, so too will the measures we have in place, so that we can continue to do what we have always set out to do: deliver exceptional care in the safest possible environment.
How we have transformed
As we welcome you back to our hospitals and healthcare centres, there are some changes we would like to highlight
Virtual consultations
To minimise travel and Covid-19 exposure, remote consultations by phone or video are available for both primary (GP) and secondary (Consultant) care on secure platforms. You can book the latter through each consultant’s medical secretary.
Coronavirus screening
To help reduce the risk of infection in our hospitals and clinics, we screen all patients, visitors and staff for coronavirus on arrival. The screening process involves you answering a set of verbal questions, and we also check your temperature to confirm you are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Staff testing
Be assured, appropriate COVID-19 testing has been made available to all of our clinical staff and support workers. This will ensure we keep our colleagues and patients as safe as possible at all times, and help to put your mind at ease throughout your time with us.
Importantly, the continuous testing that our staff undergo allows us to better understand and manage any cases of coronavirus in our hospitals and clinics.
Importantly, the continuous testing that our staff undergo allows us to better understand and manage any cases of coronavirus in our hospitals and clinics.
Self-isolation procedures
If you are visiting us for an invasive diagnostic test or being admitted for a procedure, you will be required to self-isolate for 7 or 14 days respectively.
Up to four days before coming to hospital you will have a combined nose and throat swab to test for COVID-19 – either by drive through or in person. In the unlikely event that a patient tests positive for COVID-19, diagnostic tests or treatment will be postponed until they are negative after further testing.
Up to four days before coming to hospital you will have a combined nose and throat swab to test for COVID-19 – either by drive through or in person. In the unlikely event that a patient tests positive for COVID-19, diagnostic tests or treatment will be postponed until they are negative after further testing.
Social distancing in our hospitals, centres and clinics
We have implemented social distancing in all of our hospitals and clinics to make sure we limit close interactions. This applies to all areas in our buildings, including waiting areas, reception areas and lifts.
To minimise contact between patients, outpatient appointments will be staggered, and patients should not attend more than 15 minutes before their appointment. Please stay safe by following the on-site guidance and staying two metres apart.
To minimise contact between patients, outpatient appointments will be staggered, and patients should not attend more than 15 minutes before their appointment. Please stay safe by following the on-site guidance and staying two metres apart.
Hospital environments
Hospitals are meticulous environments to prevent infection and transmission. In the face of coronavirus, all disinfection measures have been enhanced, including increasing the number of hand sanitiser stations.
You will also see members of staff disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and lift buttons at least every hour. All consulting rooms are thoroughly disinfected after each patient.
You will also see members of staff disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and lift buttons at least every hour. All consulting rooms are thoroughly disinfected after each patient.
Limiting companions and visitors
To keep our hospitals and clinics as safe as possible, we ask you to attend your appointment or admission alone.
We know that coming into hospital alone can be worrying, but we are here to support you. In exceptional circumstances, such as if you need an interpreter or a carer to accompany you, this can be agreed beforehand.
We know that coming into hospital alone can be worrying, but we are here to support you. In exceptional circumstances, such as if you need an interpreter or a carer to accompany you, this can be agreed beforehand.
Masks
We are asking all patients, visitors and staff to wear a mask when in our hospitals and clinics. We will be providing these on entry.
Hand sanitising
To help reduce the spread of infection, when you’re in our hospitals and clinics, please use our handwashing zones to regularly wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. You’ll find hand sanitisers throughout our hospitals and clinics.