Our hospitals continue to look and feel different because of the precautions we’ve taken to protect staff and patients. Our staff are working hard to ensure that all patients who need urgent care are able to access it, not just those with Covid-19.

Our aim at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is for all patients, carers, and families to feel safe, cared for and listened to, especially during this challenging time. You have been given this information as you have a procedure planned and we ask you to read the following carefully.

Before you attend your planned procedure/surgery

Before your procedure/ surgery takes place, our Bookings Team will contact you to confirm the date and time of your procedure/surgery. Where appropriate, you will be given a pre-assessment appointment; this may take place over the phone or in person.

The best way to prepare for your surgery is to stay as fit and healthy as possible. This means following the advice given to you by your clinical team.

To minimise your risk of getting COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses before your procedure or surgery, try to limit your contact with people outside of your household in the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment. If you have to meet people, try to meet outside or somewhere with good ventilation.

Covid-19 testing prior to your procedure/ surgery

In line with current national guidance, routine testing for SARS-CoV-2 (by PCR or Lateral Flow Device Test) is no longer required prior to admission for elective procedures.

What to do if you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, or a positive LFD test result

If you have symptoms of an acute respiratory virus infection, or an LFD test carried out at home has a positive result, contact your clinical team at the earliest opportunity.

Their contact telephone number will be found in the letter you received from the Trust notifying you of your procedure/surgery. If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 at the weekend, please leave a voicemail message with your name, date of procedure and contact telephone number and someone will call you back as soon as possible on Monday morning following the weekend.

The booking team will alert the lead clinician and there should be a risk/benefit discussion between you and the clinician as to the timing of the procedure. A new plan may need to be agreed.

If you are booked for a planned caesarean section, please contact the labour ward to inform them of your positive result and they will make the appropriate arrangements for your admission.

Contact with others prior to your procedure

We strongly recommend that you limit your contact with others to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 between the time of your first LFD test at 72 hours prior and the date of your surgery/procedure. It is vital you take this step to protect yourself and other patients in the hospital. The risk of anaesthesia and surgery can be significant for anyone that acquires Covid-19 infection around the time of their operation and could delay recovery.

Travelling to and from our hospitals

When travelling to and from hospital for your procedure, you should continue to limit your contact with others. If you require someone from outside your household to take you to the hospital you should both wear a face covering when travelling.

Admission to hospital for your planned surgery/procedure

You will be admitted to an area of our hospital where we are not caring for patients who have, or we suspect might have, Covid-19. These patients are cared for in dedicated areas, so the right infection control measures are in place for them. To keep everyone as safe as we can, we do have visiting restrictions in place, please visit the Trust’s website www.fhft.nhs.uk for details on the latest visiting restrictions.

Your discharge from hospital

You will be discharged from hospital as soon as your clinical team have agreed that you are able to return home or to another place of care. It is our priority to ensure that you are discharged safely from hospital and to the most appropriate care setting.

Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19