Did you know?

Corby Urgent Care Unit NN17 2URYou can often use Corby Urgent Care Centre if your healthcare need is urgent but not life-threatening? They’re open between 8am and 8pm, every day.

You can also go to 111.nhs.uk for expert advice and direction to the right service to help you.

 

Important information about COVID-19

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection. Symptoms are a new continuous cough and / or a high temperature and / or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste.

Self-isolation

If you have symptoms you should self isolate.

  • If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness however mild, stay at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.
  • If you live with others, anyone who develops symptoms in your household must stay at home for 10 days – and everyone else in the household who remains well must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
For more information about when to call 111 and advice about staying at home click here.

Social distancing

Latest government guidance on social distancing advises the following:
  • Stay at home as much as possible
  • Work from home if you can
  • Limit contact with other people
  • Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
  • Wash your hands regularly
Full details available here.

Shielding

Those who are extremely vulnerable (have organ transplants, specific cancers, severe respiratory diseases, have genetic conditions that increase risk of infection, are on immunosuppression therapies that significantly increase risk of infection or are pregnant with an underlying heart condition) to remain home at all times and avoid face-to-face contact.

Recovering from Coronavirus?

There are some new recovery resources have have been added to the Moving Medicines website and also a new video from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists that is aimed at helping to guide patients on their road to recovery.  We hope you find them helpful.

Coronavirus News

Visiting arrangements for adult and children’s wards updated 13.06.2022

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

Visiting restrictions 
 
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to pre-pandemic visiting levels in our green COVID negative zones.  The change is due to a continued reduction in COVID cases within our hospitals and the local communities.  Wearing a mask in the hospital is now only required in Mask Wearing Zones.
 
Visitors to all areas must: 
  •  Complete a welfare check of symptoms on arrival 
  •  Visitors must clean their hands on entering and exiting the ward.
 
Visiting exclusions 
During this time of pro-pandemic visiting, visitors are NOT allowed to visit with: 
• A new, continuous cough 
• A high temperature of more than 37.8°C 
• A loss or change to sense of smell or taste 
• Symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the last 48 hours 
• Is a contact of someone who was COVID-19 positive in the last 10 days 
• There is an outbreak of infection on the ward they are visiting. 
 
Where a face-to-face visit is not practical then virtual visits will be supported and  
facilitated. 
 
Face coverings
Mask wearing zone. You must continue to wear a face mask in this area. Thank you for wearing your mask and keeping our most vulnerable patients safe. If you have any queries please speak to the ward team. Patients, visitors, and staff are no longer required to wear a face mask in most areas of the hospital.  Anyone visiting the site is still welcome to wear a mask in any of our hospital buildings, if they prefer to do so. 
 
However, to help protect the safety of our most vulnerable patients, Mask Wearing Zones have been introduced in some clinical areas.
Look out for our Mask Wearing Zone signs - they will tell you when you need to wear a mask in our hospital.
 
Mask wearing zones are in high-risk areas such as Emergency Department, Haematology / Oncology areas, Critical Care, Theatres, Cardiac Centre, area with patients who have respiratory infection and Covid positive or suspected Covid positive areas.
 
In general, masks are no longer required in offices, corridors, lifts, meeting and classrooms, restaurants and cafes.
 
Thank you for your continued support and please note updates will be made as and when needed in line with the latest guidance.

Visiting on adult wards 
Two visitors will be able to visit a patient for up to 2 hours a day, during either 2-4pm or 6-8pm in our green COVID negative zones; 4-6pm will continue to be used for protected patient mealtimes. 
  • Pre-booking is no longer required but we will ask you to sign in and out of the ward and complete a symptom check on arrival 
  • Extenuating circumstances visiting must be approved by a Matron.  
 
Visiting to Critical Care and Lilford ward 
Patients who have tested positive for COVID will have 1 initial visit after admission, then weekly thereafter until the patient has resolved and becomes Covid negative 
  • Visitors must not visit if they have a covid symptoms or have tested positive on Lateral Flow Test. 
  • Visitors will be asked to wear a mask.
Additionally, on Lilford Ward visitors will be asked to take a lateral flow test.
 
Visiting on paediatric wards, Skylark ward 
Two parents/guardians may visit each patient each day. These visitors must be in the same household as the patient.  
  • Anyone showing any symptoms of coronavirus should not visit. This is essential for infection prevention and control. If visitors display symptoms of coronavirus they should be asked to leave and asked to organise a Lateral Flow Test through gov.uk website  
  • One resident parent/guardian is allowed to stay with their child overnight
  • For suspected or positive COVID patients, just one resident adult is allowed with no other visitors. 
  
Visiting on our neonatal ward 
  • Both parents or a guardian can visit per child
  • Grandparents and siblings may visit.
  
Visiting on maternity wards
Birthing partners will be able to stay throughout the stay of their partner on Labour ward, Labour ward Theatres and the recovery room following theatre, in a safe and COVID secure way.  
 
Birth partners will also be able to accompany their partner to the postnatal ward following delivery, if this is after 7.30pm in the evening, partners will be asked to go home shortly after arrival to the postnatal ward. Daily visiting on the postnatal ward for birth partners and one other, plus siblings this has been extended to 12pm-7.30pm.  
 
Partners and other visitors will be asked to complete COVID-19 symptom questionnaire on arrival, stay in the room / bed space / and use the designated toilet facilities for birth partners.  
 
One support person is also able to attend scanning appointments and antenatal appointments. 
 
Visiting to antenatal appointments and ultrasound scans 
  • Visitors will no longer need to show a negative lateral flow test 
  • One birth partner will be able to visit during appointments
  
Outpatient visiting 
  • Where possible patients should not bring a visitor with them to an outpatient appointment
  • Visiting will be permitted for those who need additional support from a visitor during their visit
  • Visitors may be asked to wait in another area depending on social distancing. 
 
Emergency Department visiting 
  • Where possible patients should not bring a visitor with them to the Emergency Department
  • Visiting will be permitted for those who need additional support from a visitor during their visit
  • Visitors will be required to wear a mask and may be asked to wait outside or in another area depending on social distancing. If the department is busy, we may not be able to facilitate visiting. 
  
Supporting our patients and their loved ones 
When patients come into hospital or change between wards and departments, our team will make sure they consider reasonable adjustments for those patients who have additional needs such as dementia, learning disabilities or autism.  
  • We have visiting restrictions in place, however wards and departments should always be reviewing patients and supporting any of those with additional needs ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place as required. Wards and departments have the flexibility to support patients and their carers, as defined in the visiting policy and carers policy 
  • These adjustments should be reviewed on an individual basis based on the needs of the patient at the time. If you have any concerns, please speak to the ward or department manager. 
   
If visitors have lateral flow tests available, we will always advise people to complete testing for their own safety and the safety of others. 
 
Read Visiting arrangements for adult and children’s wards updated 13.06.2022…

Outpatient Appointments - Important Patient Information

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

In view of the evolving Coronavirus pandemic and for the health and safety of yourself, our staff and other patients, we are looking at adapting our current working practices. It may be that we will hold telephone appointments, rather than seeing you face-to-face.
 
If you receive an appointment for a face-to-face consultation, please can we remind you to consider the following instructions:
 
  • If you live alone and show symptoms of a high temperature and a new continuous cough, then you should telephone the team with whom you have an appointment (on your appointment letter).  We will postpone your appointment until you have self-isolated for 10 days. 
  • If a person in your household has a persistent cough or fever, again contact us by telephone as everyone in the household needs to self-isolate at home and not leave the house for 14 days.   We will postpone your appointment until after the 14 day isolation period has been completed.
  • Please try to attend your appointment alone – although one carer is permitted for children or patients needing support.Visiting times at KGH
  • If at all possible, children should be discouraged from attending clinic.
  • You should only use the NHS where absolutely necessary and if you have other serious health conditions you should not attend clinic for around 12 weeks.  Please contact us if this is the case for re-allocation of your appointment.
Read Outpatient Appointments - Important Patient Information…

Children’s A&E department moves out of main A&E to Foundation Wing

FW Paeds ED Entrance

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

The section of Kettering General Hospital’s A&E department that deals with children is moving to a different location within the hospital.

The move will enable the remaining A&E department to be adults only and give the hospital more capacity for its coronavirus response.

Children and young people under the age of 18 who need A&E care will need to go to the Foundation Wing close to the hospital’s main reception.

Foundation Wing - paeds ED.

The children’s A&E will be based on the ground floor in the area formerly occupied by paediatric outpatients.

This is in preparation for expected increasing numbers of patients presenting at A&E with Coronavirus and will enable us to focus our staff in the best way to meet the needs of our patients and ensures that children and young people up to the age of 18, are seen in a physically separate environment from the main A&E.

The Children’s Emergency Department will also ensure a direct route onto Skylark Ward for those children and young people needing hospital admission.

This service change takes effect from Monday 23rd March at 12.30pm.

GPs should note referrals to the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) remain the same: via telephone to the Paediatric Registrar and patients should go to the relocated Children’s A&E rather than direct to Skylark Ward.

All patients will be clinically assessed upon arrival and seen in priority order based on clinical need

Directions from the two main car parks:

From car park A (Surface car park)

  • Head towards the bottom right of the car park
  • Rockingham Wing will be on your right
  • The main KGH entrance will be on your left
  • Do not enter the main KGH entrance
  • Turn right and head towards the rainbow coloured side of the building
  • Walk past the rainbow coloured siding, walk past the side that says ‘PPCI’
  • You have now arrived at the  Children’s Emergency Department

From car park B (Multi storey)

  • Cross the zebra crossing heading towards Rockingham Wing
  • Keep Car Park A on your left
  • Follow the pathway, keeping Rockingham Wing on your right
  • Walk past Rockingham Wing and head towards the main KGH entrance
  • Do not enter the main KGH entrance
  • Turn right and head towards the rainbow coloured side of the building
  • Walk past the rainbow coloured siding, walk past the side that says ‘PPCI’
  • You have now arrived at the  Children’s Emergency Department
Read Children’s A&E department moves out of main A&E to Foundation Wing…

Statement For Schools

KGH Logo

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

We are extremely grateful to our colleagues in the education sector providing childcare/education support to our staff as Key Workers #WeAreInThisTogether so we can support caring for patients.
 
We are aware that some schools are requesting letters from our staff to say that they are Key Workers. Unfortunately we cannot issue letters, given our focus is on caring for patients and supporting our staff. Staff are able to provide an ID badge as a valid form of identity. We take ID badges from staff as they leave our employment. Staff are also able to provide a copy of their latest payslip (please be aware that we issue payslips electronically so this will be a copy print out).
Read Statement For Schools…

Coronavirus: Phlebotomy Service Changes From Monday 23rd March

KGH Logo

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

We are making a number of changes to our Phlebotomy (blood taking) service as a result of the effects of Coronavirus. These changes will help to ensure we have sufficient staff to provide a safe service and in the case of the KGH changes  minimise the risk to patients of attending a busy hospital site and coming into contact with others who may have the virus.
 
From Monday 23rd March :
 
We will no longer be able to provide a walk in Phlebotomy Service at Rectory Road Clinic - instead patients can access the service at either Nene Park, Irthlingborough or Isebrook Hospital, Wellingborough. Both sites are open between 8 am and 3.30pm. (Other services provided at Rectory Road Clinic will not be affected.)
 
We will not be taking blood from patients referred by their GPs at KGH (Kettering General Hospital) - instead we are increasing the number of appointments at Kettering Borough Council and extending into the afternoon. This is an appointment only service and to make an appointment patients should ring  01536 535600. Appointments are available between 8am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday.
 
Children's blood tests will only be available as a prebooked service - this ensures that we are able to direct children and their parents to the most suitable available location. Please telephone 01536 492694 to make an appointment for a child's blood test.
 
These arrangements are intended to be temporary for the duration of the coronavirus response and will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Read Coronavirus: Phlebotomy Service Changes From Monday 23rd March…

KGH Statement on Coronavirus

KGH Logo

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

Professor Andrew Chilton, Medical Director said:

“Sadly we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Kettering General Hospital, and had tested positive for COVID-19 has died.

The patient who died on 16 March had underlying health conditions.

His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”

Background

The Trust, DHSC, NHS England and NHS Improvement will not be giving out any further information on this patient.

The media are asked to respect the wishes of families, and the interests of staff at the hospital to avoid any disruption to operational services.

Read KGH Statement on Coronavirus…