COVID-19 guidance for attending outpatient hospital appointments
In order to ensure the safety of all of our patients and staff, we have the following safety measures in place in our outpatient departments.
The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff are our top priority and infection prevention and control are key to this.
Can I be accompanied?
If you are attending an Outpatient or diagnostic appointment, one other person can accompany you. However, in some of our departments, such as radiology at Lincoln County Hospital this is not possible. If you have an appointment for radiology at Lincoln County Hospital please attend alone. Please note a visitor is able to bring you to the waiting room, but must then leave. Our volunteers are also able to help you to your appointment if support is required.
Due to the number of patients, we see in our outpatient and diagnostic departments visitors may have to stand during busy periods. Seating is prioritised for patients.
COVID-19 Outpatient appointment guidelines
Please be aware of the following guidance for all outpatient appointments:
- A hospital provided standard surgical face mask must be worn by patients and visitors at all times when in clinical areas, this includes waiting areas and treatment rooms. Hospital provided face masks are available at entrances and outpatient reception areas
- Patients must only arrive 5 minutes before their appointment
- Please be aware that at busy times those accompanying a patient to an appointment may be asked to stand
- Mask wearing and hand hygiene is to be adhered to at all times.
In exceptional circumstances where a patient is unable to wear a mask they need to speak to the department before attending an appointment so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
We appreciate your understanding and recognise these arrangements are not ideal, but are necessary so that we can continue to treat patients in a safe environment.