Important information about the coronavirus (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 14 days. The 14-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

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

From Wednesday, 5 May 2021, visiting restrictions are being partially lifted as Covid-19 cases stabilise in Northamptonshire and the national lockdown eases.
 
We will start to allow some booked visiting while maintaining existing arrangements for maternity, end-of-life care and for patients with learning disabilities.
 
Visitors should strictly follow infection control guidance and maintain their hands, face, space observance to minimise the risk of Covid-19 being passed on.
 
Kettering General Hospital’s Director of Nursing and Quality, Leanne Hackshall, said: “It has been vitally important during the Covid-19 pandemic to restrict the number of people allowed on the two hospital sites to reduce the risk of the infections.
 

Key changes announced today are:

  • Generally one visitor will be allowed per patient for an allocated timeslot. The visit must be booked in advance. Visitors must be from the same household or family bubble. (see below on how to book)
  • Wards which have infected or exposed patients cannot be visited except by exception for end-of-life-care purposes
  • Children are not allowed to visit
  • A&E, outpatients, urgent care (including Esther White and Walter Tull wards at NGH) and diagnostic visits remain restricted to the patient attending only – unless there are exceptional circumstances where a relative/carer is needed to enable the visit. They may have to wait outside the clinical area while the patient is treated.
  • Children’s wards – two parents or guardians per child can visit and one parent can stay overnight with their child
  • Maternity visiting remains the same as already announced at both hospitals.
  • End of life patients are allowed open visiting where possible with one visitor per side room. This will be based on individual arrangements to suit the needs of patients and their loved ones.
  • Visiting times and arrangements for patients with learning disabilities will be arranged on an individual basis depending on the patient’s needs.

To book appointments for  hospital visiting:

Kettering General Hospital – The Trust will be phoning the families of visitors to ask if they want to arrange visiting from Wednesday, May 5.

The Trust will be phoning the families of patients to ask if they want to arrange visiting from Wednesday, May 5.

On arrival to any ward or department, all visitors should wash their hands thoroughly (for 20 seconds at least) or use the hand sanitiser provided. We also ask that you use the hand sanitiser on leaving the ward or department.
Read Visiting arrangements for adult and children’s wards…

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…

Hospital Discharge Information

Posted on at by Gail Meachem

It is imporatant that our hospitals are ready to look after people who contract coronavirus (COVID-19) and need hospital care.  Due to these pressures, once you no longer need care in hospital, as decided by the health team looking after you, you will be discharged.  You will not have a choice over your discharge, but it is always our priority to discharge people to a safe and appropriate place.
 
In most cases this will be to your home.  You might need some extra support, for example with your care needs or shopping. Here is more information if you are being discharged home.
 
If you require more complex out of  hospital care, this could be in another bed in the community, for example a residential nursing home. Here is mor einformation if you are being discharged to another place of care
 
Your needs and discharge arrangements will be discussed with you.
 
Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect the lungs and airways.  It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.  There is currently no specific treatment and some people who contract the illness will need to be admitted to hospital.
 
You can find out more about coronavirus and the best ways to stop it spreading by visiting www.nha.uk/coronavirus  
 
 
Read Hospital Discharge Information…

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…