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Coronavirus: Wash hands, cover face, make space…. Find our Covid-19 information and updates here.

carers and confidentiality

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) - Keeping safe and well

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. This page will be updated regularly with information and guidance for patients, carers, friends and family.

Our staff understand that these are worrying times and that you will have lots of concerns, particularly about your loved ones. We understand those concerns and are here to help you throughout it.  

Last update 1 February 2022 

While Plan B restrictions were lifted by the Government on Thursday 27 January, wearing a face mask or covering in healthcare settings is still required. That means if you visit any of our hospitals or services, you must wear a face mask or covering. Information for visitors can be found here.

Last update 29 December 2021

Visiting will be suspended in any ward that is experiencing an outbreak. On all other wards, visiting can continue as long as the visit is booked, the visitor has a negative lateral flow test before their visit, and they follow IPC guidance. Please see the poster here.

Last update 20 December 2021

COVID-19 is spreading fast. If you haven't been vaccinated yet, do it now. Please remember to wear a face mask, wash your hands and maintain social distance when visiting our sites. All visits to our hospitals and community sites are currently by prior arrangement only. This is helping us make sure we can safely accommodate the number of people in our hospitals at all times, maintain social distancing in all our communal areas and wards, and provide the safest possible care to our patients. If you need to visit one of our sites, please contact the relevant ward team before arriving. For further information about coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the NHS website.

Last update 15 July 2021

England’s Chief Nurse has today reminded the public that everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules. Covid restrictions will end in many settings in England from Monday 19 July 2021.

However, Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are set to remain in place for all visitors. That means NHS visitor guidance will stay in place across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dental practices, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.                                                              

Patients and visitors will also be expected to continue to follow social distancing rules when visiting any care setting as well as using face coverings, mask and other personal protection equipment.

Latest update 13 April 2021

You may have heard on the news about cases of the South African variant of Covid being detected in Wandsworth. Extra testing facilities have opened in Wandsworth to help quickly identify any further cases of the variant and limit any potential spread. Anyone who lives, works or travels through these boroughs is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test, whether they are showing symptoms or not. Please see here for more information.

Latest update 17 March 2021

Following the reports that several countries have currently suspended the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns that it may increase blood clots, we would like to reassure our patients that:

  • Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater than the number that would have occurred naturally in the vaccinated population.
  • So far across the EU and UK, there have been 15 events of DVT and 22 events of pulmonary embolism reported among those given the vaccine, based on the number of cases the Company has received as of 8 March. This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Furthermore, in clinical trials, even though the number of thrombotic events was small, these were lower in the vaccinated group.

It is vital to keep looking at the evidence and responding accordingly. In England we have done so and will continue providing the vaccine - just like 64 other countries and territories are. This is the right thing to do to help keep you and others safe. It is also fits the recommendations of the WHO and our UK medicines regulator (the MHRA), who are both in agreement there is no evidence linking the jab with an increased risk of developing a clot.

AstraZeneca also confirms that the recorded number of blood clots in vaccinated people is significantly lower than that among the general population. About 17 million people in the EU and the UK have received a dose of the vaccine, with fewer than 40 cases of blood clots reported as of last week. This figure is in line with the expected number of incidents for the demographic if we did not have the vaccine programme.

 

Support in a crisis

If you are already a patient at our Trust, between the hours of 9am-5pm Monday to Friday we encourage you to call the mental health team that looks after you. You can find their contact details here. Otherwise, please contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line on 0800 028 8000. The Mental Health Support Line offers emotional support and advice to people who are affected by urgent mental health issues, at any time of the day or night. It is open to adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services.

Please only attend A and E if you have an emergency with your physical health. The Mental Health Support Line can help and direct you to the right service for your mental health.

If you are already a patient at our Trust, between the hours of 9am-5pm Monday to Friday we encourage you to call the mental health team that looks after you. You can find their contact details here. Otherwise, please contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line.

If you are calling urgently from a partner agency and require support and direction, you are encouraged to also contact the 24/7 Mental Health Support Line.

If you are Deaf, you can call our Mental Health Support Line using Sign Live Video Relay Service (VRS):

  • On a computer, go to https://signlive.co.uk/login/ and register using Facebook, Google or email
  • On phone, iPad or tablet download SignLive’s app for free and register

You will then be able to call the Trust for free.

Guidance on children and young people under the age of 18 in mental health crisis

For A&E staff

If a young person presents to A&E, follow the normal process and make a referral to the CAMHS Emergency Care Service (CECS) by completing the referral form and telephoning our duty number: 0203 513 6239 or 07870 917 114. Referrals will be screened for appropriateness, and a telephone or video assessment will be offered in the first instance. Face-to-face assessments in A&E will occur when clinically indicated.

For professionals including GPs, social workers and education on SWSLTG Crisis Service for Young People and Families.

We understand that Covid-19 has impacted young people/families in lots of different ways. CAMHS is still here to provide support; at times we will continue to do this by phone or video.

If a young person is currently a CAMHS service user, please call the appropriate CAMHS team to speak with the duty worker Mondays to Friday between 9am -5pm:

  • Sutton: 020 3513 3800
  • Merton: 0208 254 8061
  • Wandsworth: 0203 513 4644
  • Kingston: 0203 513 5183/5321
  • Richmond: 0203 513 3238

At weekends and Bank Holidays and between 5pm-9am, please call the Mental Health Support Line (MHSL) on 0800 028 8000

If a young person is not currently a CAMHS service user, professionals can call the local Single Point of Access team (9am-5pm) for advice. However, if an emergency response is needed, please telephone the 24/7 the Mental Health Support Line on 0800 028 8000.

Other helpful numbers

  • Childline 0800 1111 – calls are free and confidential
  • HOPE line UK 0800 068 4141
  • Samaritans 116 123
  • Young Minds Crisis Messenger - provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK mental health crisis - if you need urgent help text YM to 85258
  • If you need medical attention for a life threatening emergency call 999 or attend your local A&E

Visiting relatives

We know that it is important for people admitted to hospital to have regular contact with family and friends, however it is also vital that we keep people safe from infection on our wards.

We understand how difficult it is to be unable to see and speak to loved ones whilst they are in hospital on a regular basis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have reviewed our visiting policy and will currently be continuing with inpatient visiting by booked appointment only. This means we can offer one close family member or somebody else close to the patient the opportunity to visit them. Whilst we cannot return to our usual visiting guidelines at the moment, we hope that this will continue to offer some comfort to both our patients and loved ones.

Staff will discuss with visitors if they have had any symptoms or whether there are any contacts in their households with COVID-19. If the answer to either of these is yes, the visit will need to be rearranged for another time. All visitors must comply with handwashing, social distancing and infection control instructions to protect other visitors, patients and staff.

Visitors will be expected to wear a face mask when inside ward environments. Anyone who has not been given permission to visit will be asked to leave. Visitors exempt from wearing a face mask should discuss this with the ward manager/nurse in charge. Do not visit if you are unwell or have any of the symptoms of coronavirus – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste.

We thank you for your support and understanding at this challenging time. The safety of our staff, patients, carers and visitors remains our top priority. In line with national guidance, we will review our position on allowing normal visiting to our inpatient units, as the situation with Covid-19 evolves, so it is important that anyone planning to visit calls the ward before arriving.

Information for patients on Clozapine

If you are on clozapine it is important to continue to take your medication. There is no evidence to suggest that being on clozapine would make you more at risk from Coronavirus.

If you are not well, please let your clozapine clinic know before you attend the clinic for your blood test. They will talk through with you if you need to come in or if we can send you a small additional supply of your medicine until you are feeling better.

In some circumstances we may be able to visit you at home to carry out your blood test.

Leisure and keeping occupied

Over the coming weeks we will be spending more time that we generally do at home. Having so much unstructured time can be hard to fill, particularly at a time of worry. Right now it is really important that we look after our mental welling as best we can and find some respite and diversion from the news and media coverage.

With this in mind, we have assembled some uplifting and hopefully enjoyable resources for you explore.

We hope you find something that suits you!

Managing a routine and daily living at home

Having a basic routine of looking after ourselves and our home environment is something a lot of people say really helps with keeping their mental health on an even keel. Having some structure and daily routine at home can be difficult at the best of times, particularly if we are feeling low in mood, preoccupied with worries, or tired. But right now, with the added restrictions on going out and not being able to do our usual activities it is a particularly challenging.

With this in mind, we have brought together some resources that you might find helpful over the coming weeks.

Hopefully it will not be for too long, keep safe and keep connected to others if you possibly can, that will help!

Useful resources

Information and ideas for children and families

Coping with social distancing and isolation can be extra challenging for families with children and young people. Children and young people may struggle with understanding why their lives and routines are changing and why they can’t see their friends and extended family. Keeping a routine and structure for them may be especially important to help them feel safe and secure. This section will provide some information and ideas for children and families about the corona virus and ideas for coping at home whilst in lockdown.

Useful resources

Information and resources for carers

Information and resources for carers

Information and resources for older people

With the coronavirus spread, older people are one of main vulnerable groups so it is particularly important to heed the guidance.

The various restrictions that have been put in place, ranging from the closure of important services such as day care, to the prohibition of visits to care homes affects older people more than most, particularly those with dementia and their carers.

As such we hope that you find the guidance and resources below helpful.

General Guidance and information: Sources of emotional and practical support: In addition to contacting your allocated healthcare staff in the trust

Guidance for family carers
    The guidance on social distancing provides a very real dilemma for concerned family carers who would normally provide regular face to face support to their vulnerable elderly relative. Clearly this is a ‘best interest’ judgment call which will involve weighing up the risk of exposing the elderly person to the virus versus the risk of neglect or harm as a result of their care needs not being met.

    In the latter case, if the person’s care needs are such that any remote support will not be sufficient, the family carers should adhere to the social distancing guidelines ie washing hands immediately on arrival, no physical contact, keeping a distance of 2m wherever possible and keeping visits as short as possible.

    Information and advice or people with learning difficulties

    People with learning disabilities may require information in an easy read format to help them understand the current and frightening situation surrounding COVID-19 and being in ‘lockdown’.

    The following information supports the learning disability population understand the information in a format that uses pictures and easy to read language. Other useful resources

    Safeguarding and Covid-19: Keeping everyone safe

    COVID-19 is an extremely challenging situation for everyone.

    Families are under increased amounts of stress due to financial pressures, household isolation, school closures and lack of normal outlets for stress and frustrations.

    Adults are at increased risk of financial exploitation by some pretending to help under the guise of ‘COVID kindness’.

    Children, young people and adults who are already at risk of abuse or neglect may be more at risk as the normal support mechanisms for them are not in place. Many children and adults may be struggling without the regular contact and support they get from friends, workmates or school.

    Self or household isolation could mean some people are trapped in their homes with abusers and isolated from people who can help them.

    Here are some useful contacts and websites you may find helpful at this time.

    Are you experiencing domestic abuse? You are not alone. If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact the NSPCC’s professional counselors for help, advice and support. For free, confidential advice and support for any child or young person under 18 years, whatever the worry. MIND: Mental health support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’ YoungMinds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing.
    • Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus here.

    ICON: Babies cry: You can cope

    Other useful websites and resources

    Local Authorities Carers information and support Emotional / crisis support

     

     
    Mental Health Helpline Mental Health Crisis Line Pals Patient advice and liaison service Find a Service Finding a service Contact us
    Mental Health Helpline Mental Health Support Line Childline Childline Samaritans Samaritans

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