Coronavirus (COVID - 19) Information Hub

COVID Vaccination Clinics 

The Liverpool Women’s new midwife led vaccination clinic for pregnant women is being held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays every week, from 9.00am to 4.30pm in the Antenatal Clinic at the hospital.

The service offers dedicated appointment slots for pregnant women and their support partner which are bookable by calling 0151 702 4328 (Option 2 “Antenatal”). 

Alternatively you can email antenatalvaccinations@lwh.nhs.uk any time with your name and contact number to make an initial request for an appointment and a member of the team will contact you (between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday) to confirm a date and time that is convenient for you. No drop-in option is available at present and this clinic is only for pregnant women receiving their care at Liverpool Women’s. If you are receiving your care through another provider please contact them for similar vaccine offers or go through the national booking line.

When a pregnant women books and receives their vaccine at Liverpool Women’s, any support partners accompanying them at the time will also be offered both a COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

If you have any concerns or questions about the vaccine, you are encouraged to speak to your midwife beforehand so they can advise you of its safety.

Booking a vaccine through the national booking line

As well as being able to book a dedicated appointment slot for COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at Liverpool Women’s Hospital now, pregnant women can also book to get a COVID-19-vaccine or booster dose online now at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119.

In addition, you can also search for nearby vaccination drop-in clinics via the national NHS booking system, and find a list of additional ‘pop up’ sessions taking place in Liverpool too.

Taxi to the Vaxi

Taxi to the Vaxi is an offer from the contact centre at Liverpool City Council to support vulnerable people with help to book a vaccination appointment via the National Booking Service, and to book a free taxi to the appointment (there and back). This also includes anyone attending Liverpool Women's Hospital for a vaccination appointment which has been booked through the hospital.

The offer specifically includes pregnant women who are Liverpool Residents, or who are registered with a Liverpool GP Practice.

To access the booking line for Taxi to the Vaxi contact Liverpool City Council via their Covid Isolation Advice Line - 0800 169 3032 lines open 8am to 6pm Mon to Fri.

Pregnant women to be prioritised for vaccinations

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is calling on all pregnant women to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Pregnant women will be prioritised at vaccination drop in clinics in the community and this specifically applies to vaccination clinics in Liverpool. If you are pregnant please come forward and have your vaccine either at Liverpool Women's Hospital via an appointment or at a drop in clinic locally to you.

More details on why pregnant women are being prioritised for vaccination can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pregnant-women-urged-to-come-forward-for-covid-19-vaccination

Advice for pregnant women or people trying to become pregnant

You can find the latest vaccination advice (published 3rd August 2021) for pregnant women from the Nursing & Midwifery Council here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/nmc-statement-vaccine-midwifery/ 

CLICK HERE for a helpful information sheet and decision making aid about the vaccine from a number of sources including the Royal College of Midwives. 

As well as the above information Dr Alice Bird, a Consultant Obstetrician at Liverpool Women’s, talks about the Covid-19 vaccine and pregnancy in this short video: 

If you're pregnant, or think you might be, you can have the COVID-19 vaccine. You'll be invited when your age group are offered it or earlier if you have a health condition or reason that means you're eligible.

It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and have not caused any safety issues.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccination online. During the booking process, you’ll be asked if you’re pregnant. This is to make sure you’re offered an appointment for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

Further information and advice for pregnant women or people thinking of becoming pregnant

Here is an NHS video featuring unvaccinated pregnant women's experience and why getting the vaccine is important if you are pregnant.

Visit the GOV.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding 

For the latest advice and guidance on the Covid-19 vaccine please refer to the following website. Any further updates that are specific to Liverpool Women's Hospital will be added to this page in due course: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/ 

You can also access a number of videos from the NHS in various languages which explains the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please follow this link to view the videos: https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/north-west-services/north-west-maternity-services/covid-19-vaccination/

Advice for pregnant women or people trying to become pregnant

You can find the latest vaccination advice (published 3rd August 2021) for pregnant women from the Nursing & Midwifery Council here: https://www.nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/nmc-statement-vaccine-midwifery/ 

CLICK HERE for a helpful information sheet and decision making aid about the vaccine from a number of sources including the Royal College of Midwives. 

As well as the above information Dr Alice Bird, a Consultant Obstetrician at Liverpool Women’s, talks about the Covid-19 vaccine and pregnancy in this short video: 

Here is a Q&A video featuring a number of NHS experts which answers many questions about the vaccine relating to women's health such as pregnancy, fertility and other topics:

If you're pregnant, or think you might be, you can have the COVID-19 vaccine. You'll be invited when your age group are offered it or earlier if you have a health condition or reason that means you're eligible.

It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and have not caused any safety issues.

You can book your COVID-19 vaccination online. During the booking process, you’ll be asked if you’re pregnant. This is to make sure you’re offered an appointment for the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

Further information and advice for pregnant women or people thinking of becoming pregnant

Visit the GOV.UK website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-women-of-childbearing-age-currently-pregnant-planning-a-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding 

Liverpool vaccination programme updates

You can find out more about the local vaccination programme in Liverpool including latest updates and FAQs on the Liverpool CCG website HERE.

Vaccine Fraud

To find out more about Vaccine Fraud click link below

• Covid-19: Vaccine Fraud

Liverpool Women’s Gynaecology Emergency Department is open and able to care for women with early pregnancy and gynaecology problems. 

Due to the impact of COVID-19 we would like to ask for your support to allow us to manage your care safely.  

If you need our help to manage heavy vaginal bleeding, particularly if you feel faint or short of breath or you have severe abdominal pain, you are welcome to attend the department without contacting us first.

If you are well enough to wait a short time, please call our Nurse Triage Line on 0151 702 4140.

A nurse will listen to your problem, give advice or arrange for you to be seen by a member of our team.  We aim to give you an appointment to reduce your waiting time in the hospital.

If our phone line is busy, please continue to hold, we will answer as soon as possible.

If you are calling or attending the unit and have symptoms of a cold or COVID-19 please inform the first member of staff you speak to.  Follow the UK Government guidance around testing and self -isolation.  We have specific arrangements in place to look after you whilst protecting others in the hospital.

If you attend without an appointment, a member of our team will assess your problem, provide treatment if urgently needed and may give you the option to wait outside or return for a planned appointment within 72hrs.  You can choose to stay in the department if you wish.

We appreciate your support and understanding.

Changes to mask wearing guidance

Guidance for patients

• Inpatients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be provided with a facemask on admission. This should be worn in multi-bedded bays and communal areas, eg: waiting areas for diagnostics, if this can be tolerated and is deemed safe for the patient. They are not usually required in single rooms, unless, eg: a visitor enters
• All other inpatients are not required to wear a facemask unless this is a personal preference
• Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 transferring to another area should wear a facemask, if tolerated, to minimise the dispersal of respiratory secretions and reduce environmental contamination
• Outpatients with respiratory symptoms who are required to attend for emergency treatment should wear a facemask/covering, if tolerated, or offered one on arrival
• All other outpatients are not required to wear a facemask unless this is a personal preference.

For visitors:

• In inpatient settings visitors may be asked to wear a face mask when visiting patients with COVID-19, (or similar infections) or vulnerable patients. Visitors may choose to wear a face mask/covering if that is their preference
• Visitors and individuals accompanying patients to outpatient appointments, or the emergency department are not required to wear a facemask unless this is a personal preference.

Attending for an appointment

Attend no more than 10 minutes prior to your appointment time.

Unless you are advised otherwise, your existing appointments will be going ahead as normal. If there is any change to this the Trust will contact you in advance to let you know. 

• Community Midwifery: clinics are still running, however patients are advised not to bring any family members with you to the GP Surgery, Children’s Centre or Hospital during this time.

• Gynaecology Emergency Department (GED): Telephone triage line introduced for Gynaecology Emergency Department - call 0151 702 4140

  If you have an acute gynaecological or early pregnancy problem, call 0151 702 4140 to speak to a member of our nursing team.  The nurse will assess your problem and where appropriate will arrange for you to either be seen immediately in the Emergency Department, to receive a call back from a doctor or nurse practitioner or arrange for you to attend a see and treat appointment in our Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit.

  Occasionally, there are long waiting times to speak to a member of the nursing team. We apologise for this and are working to improve the service.  If your symptoms are not severe, please keep trying.

  If you are unable to access the service, particularly if you have severe pain or heavy bleeding, please attend Liverpool Women’s and you will be directed to the GED.

• Gynaecology Elective Activity: From the 1^st June Liverpool Women’s Gynaecology started to recommence some of it’s elective activity. This will be a phased approach with patient attendance/ appointment numbers restricted to ensure social distancing measures and other safety measures in relation to Covid-19 are adhered to within the hospital. The hospital will contact you in advance of your outpatient or inpatient appointments being scheduled as part of this phased re-opening of our elective services.

• Oncology: Our cancer clinics and surgery will continue to run and there are no plans at present to step down or suspend these services. Every measure is being taken to ensure that critical cancer care continues to be delivered in the safest and most efficient way to protect our patients and our staff during this difficult time.

- We will be conducting follow-up clinics via telephone or virtually wherever possible.

- Necessary face-to-face appointments will be structured into a one-stop model as far as possible, to minimise time spent on the hospital site.

- Cancer surgery lists may change at short notice due to the pressures arising from COVID-19. Our appointments team will be in contact should this affect you.

If you were due to attend for a cancer appointment, you will be contacted directly with further details of what this means for you.

If you are due to attend for an appointment or for surgery, our team will contact you the day before your appointment for COVID-19 screening. If you have symptoms, or are self-isolating as a member of your household has symptoms, then we will reschedule your appointment for when you are well again and able to attend hospital. This is to ensure your safety and wellbeing, as well as that of our staff and other patients.

• Termination of Pregnancy: The Bedford Centre is currently running a primarily telephone-based service. If a scan or a face-to-face appointment is required, this will be advised in your telephone consultation.
  
  If it is determined that you need to attend in person, then unless you are under 16 or need a carer unfortunately your support person will need to wait outside the hospital building. This is to minimise the number of people coming in and out of the building.
  
  The primary option offered for termination of pregnancy will be outpatient medical management. What this means for you will be discussed in your telephone consultation.

To make an appointment, please contact the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) on 03457 30 40 30.

• The Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine: The Liverpool Centre for Genomic Medicine is working hard to ensure that for all patients, that it is appropriate for, we offer a telephone or virtual clinic appointment during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many of our patients will need to be seen in person and those patients will receive a letter to let them know that their appointment will be arranged once we are able to offer face to face appointments again.

Covid-19 Lateral Flow swab tests for admission 

For any planned admission you will be expected to undertake a Lateral Flow COVID Test as part of your admission process when you come into Liverpool Women’s Hospital and it is important that you do this.

There are two ways your test kit can be ordered, and your healthcare professional will advise on which one applies to you.

Ordering a test kit

There are two ways a test kit can be ordered:

Order online yourself at gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests please note that you require an email address

Or order by calling 119 and a call handler will place the order for you.

Please note:

A test kit will arrive at your specified address within 3 days of being ordered. You will need to undertake a Lateral Flow Test 72 hours before your procedure and on the morning of admission. Please also minimise your exposure risk between the 72hour test and the morning of your procedure.

Registering your test result

When you have taken your test, you need to report the result. There are two ways you can do this:

Report online at gov.uk/report-covid19-result please note that a mobile number or email address will be required

Or call 119 and a call handler will record the result for you

Please remember to bring evidence of your registered test result (email or SMS) on the day of your appointment.

If you have any issues, please contact your healthcare professional who can provide further assistance.

General information about accessing the hospital

1. When entering the hospital you will have your temperature checked and you will be asked some questions about any Covid-19 related symptoms.
2. You will be expected to wear a face covering. If you do not have a face covering of your own you will be given a face mask.
3. Unless you are given special permission you must not leave and re-enter the building once inside - you will be expected to stay inside the building until you are ready to leave following your appointment or procedure. Leaving and re-entering the building for non-essential reasons (e.g. to collect takeaway food deliveries) will not be allowed.
4. Follow the directional signage in the hospital to maintain social distancing at all times and avoid standing in high footfall areas such as corridors.
5. Please maintain good hand hygiene at all times by washing your hands regularly and making use of hand sanitisers when entering and leaving each area of the hospital.
6. We ask you to respect staff that you come into contact with and understand that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
7. The hospital shop and Costa Coffee are available for patients and visitors along with vending machines however the Just Deli restaurant is currently restricted for staff use only.
8. When you leave the hospital please dispose of your face mask in the clinical waste stations and remember to sanitise your hands.
9. If you are feeling unwell at any time when you are within the hospital with Covid-19 symptoms, please speak to a member of staff straight away.

• For women attending antenatal scans (12 week, 20 week, and FMU scans) with their support partner, you will both be expected to wear a face covering. Women or support partners who have an underlying health issue that prevents them from being able to wear a face covering should make our sonography team aware before coming to the hospital for your scan appointment – please refer to the contact details on your appointment letter. This will allow any necessary arrangements to be made to protect you and our staff in advance. Please note if there is no justifiable reason for not wearing a face covering or if you have not made the sonography team aware in advance that you are exempt, support partners will not be allowed to enter the scanning room.  
• Women and support partners are expected to wear face coverings at all times when in communal areas of the hospital. Face coverings should fully cover your nose and mouth and only be removed if advised by a member of staff or when eating or drinking.
• All birthing rooms are individual rooms and birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present in the birthing room. Birth partners may remove their face covering if they wish to do so only when they and their partner are alone in the room.
• If a woman requires a procedure in theatre, birth partners must wear a fluid resistant surgical mask provided by the hospital at all times on route to theatre, within the theatre complex and the recovery area.
• Women who are admitted to the induction suite and their birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present at the bedside or anyone is within a 2 metre distance when caring for you.
• You can wear your own face covering or if you do not have one you will be provided with a face mask on entry to the hospital.
• If you have any reason or underlying condition that makes you exempt from wearing a face covering, please inform us prior to coming into the hospital so we can make any necessary arrangements, such as alternative PPE. Please contact the relevant department you are attending in advance and they can make the necessary arrangements for you.
• If you are a support partner accompanying a women who is in the hospital to have their baby and you refuse to wear a face covering for any reason other than a health condition, you will only be permitted to support your partner once established labour is confirmed (this excludes induction of labour) and you will also be asked to leave the hospital shortly after the baby’s birth.

We ask for everyone’s compliance with these measures to keep our women, newborn babies, families and staff safe and to protect us all from Covid-19.

Thank you for your support and co-operation.

Face coverings in communal areas of the hospital

• All patients and visitors should be wearing a face covering when entering the hospital.
• The requirement to wear face coverings is being introduced to protect patients, visitors and staff across the hospital site.
• Examples of locations where you should be wearing face coverings include reception and waiting areas, corridors, toilets, when queueing in the hospital cafes, and in the hospital shop.
• Patients will be advised by staff in individual clinical areas about whether or not they will need to wear a mask during clinical procedures or other appointments. Please keep your mask on unless advised otherwise by a member of staff.
• Face coverings should either be disposable after use or washed within 24 hours if they are re-usable.
• There will be a disposal station located near the main entrance of the Trust for safe disposal of masks when you are leaving the hospital.
• You will now find clear floor and wall signage across the hospital for wayfinding and directions. Please keep to the left when walking along hospital corridors and maintain social distancing (2 metre distance) at all times from other patients, visitors and staff.
• There will be an increased supply of hand sanitisers for use before and after removal of masks and face coverings. Please also make use of hand sanitisers across the hospital site when entering and leaving all areas.
• Staff will be on-hand to provide advice and support at main entrance areas.

Other supporting information

Advice for when leaving the hospital

• Discharge from Hospital Stay Patient Advice Leaflet
• Discharge from A&E or GP Consultation Patient Advice Leaflet

Guidance for people at highest clinical risk

NHS England will no longer be hosting Frequently Asked Questions for people at highest clinical risk from Covid-19.

This is to help ensure that people are always clear where to go for the latest information, as the Government updates its policies. For the latest guidance please visit the following sources:

GOV.UK – for the latest updates on shielding guidance from Public Health England, as well as information on the Government support offer for those on the Shielded Patients List (SPL).

NHS.UK – provides patient-facing information on health services and medical conditions.

NHS Digital – for detailed information about the Shielded Patient List and the method that has been used for identifying people who may be clinically extremely vulnerable to Coronavirus.

NHS Volunteer Responders - the NHS is also providing further support to those at highest clinical risk via the GoodSam App and NHS Volunteer Responders.

People who are shielding can request support from the NHS Volunteer Responders by calling 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm. This service will not replace any local voluntary referral schemes already established but will complement these.

01 June 20

Leaflets

• Disposal of pregnancy remains at home following termination of Pregnancy Leaflet

• Disposal of Pregnancy Remains Following Miscarriage at Home Leaflet

• Information leaflet for patients undergoing early medical termination of pregnancy is available here to download. 

For patients with rare diseases there is some excellent information leaflets available from the charity Unique: https://www.rarechromo.org/ and from the British Society of Genomic Medicine:

• An overview of Covid-19 and rare disease
• What makes a person more vulnerable to Covid-19?
• Understanding your risk from Covid-19 id you have a rare disease
• What should I do if I am an extremely vulnerable person?
• What to do if you have symptoms that could be due to Covid-19
• I am worried about letting my carer/my child's carers into my home - what should I do?

Advice for women during pregnancy: https://www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy

• NHS 111: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
  
  
• World Health Organisation: who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
  
  
• Public Health England: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
  
  
• NHS website: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
  
  
• Healthwatch Liverpool: https://healthwatchliverpool.co.uk/covid-19-information-resources

• NHS England Maternity Leaflets:

  Coronavirus: Planning your birth 

  Coronavirus: Parent information for newborn babies

  The following maternity leaflets are also available in ten languages

1. Coronavirus: Planning your birth
2. Coronavirus: Parent information for new born babies
3. Coronavirus: Looking after yourself and your baby in pregnancy

• Available to download here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/maternity-leaflets-translated-versions/

BSL

Sign Health have created a web page with the daily COVID-19 updates from the Government in BSL. Click here to view.

BSL Health Access enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with Deaf people in health settings free of charge during the current Coronavirus situation. You can access it by clicking here.

Covid-19 information videos in 11 languages

Click here for information videos in 11 different languages on essential advice, hand washing and spotting the signs of Covid-19.

Other support

ADDvanced Solutions Community Network have a new, online offer to support children, young people, families and professionals in the Liverpool area. Click here to find out more.

Maternity Visiting Policy

• Pregnant women are now permitted to be accompanied by ONE support person to most routine appointments.

• This includes; all scan appointments, attendances at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU), Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU), Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) and attendance for IOL procedure

• As the above measures will increase footfall across the hospital please only attend the hospital 10 minutes before your appointment at the earliest. Please also be aware that at times of increased footfall or when areas are particularly busy and social distancing cannot be maintained, the Trust may be required to limit access at certain times temporarily and we ask for your co-operation and support if this happens. 

• Women will be required to continue attending blood/phlebotomy appointments alone unless there are exceptional circumstances which should be discussed with a member of staff in advance.

• At present women must continue to attend community appointments alone. However we are currently working on measures to allow a support partner to attend appointments in the community. As soon as we are able to do this safely we will update this section of the website.
  
  
• When attending the hospital for labour and birth, your TWO support partners will be invited to accompany you to the hospital and remain with you throughout your birth until your transfer to the postnatal wards. If you are already admitted to our IOL suite your additional birth support partner will be contacted as you move through to a Delivery area. Support partners who decline COVID swabs will not be allowed access to our postnatal areas.
  
  
• Women undergoing an elective caesarean section will attend the hospital with their nominated ONE support partner and will be admitted to the elective caesarean section Admissions Lounge. Following the delivery of your baby in theatre, you will be moved to recovery where your partner will remain with you. On transfer to the maternity ward your chosen support partner, pending they have received a negative or are awaiting a Covid-19 swab result, may attend with you and will be able to remain with you for 2 hours. In addition you may choose a second support partner will then be able to visit you on the following day by making the appropriate appointment however they will be required to have COVID 19 screening.
  
  
• TWO support partners are permitted in the inpatient antenatal and postnatal areas for visiting. Your support partners will already be known to us for postnatal visiting, and will have gone through our swabbing and surveillance programme.  For antenatal visits,  nominated support partners will need to be identified prior to visiting and COVID swabbing will be required to be undertaken prior to admission for the first visit. The named support partnesr must arrange their visiting slot in advance.

To clarify for all visiting and support whilst you are in our care, TWO support partners are permitted and this must be the same person for all subsequent visits – multiple support partners/visitors are not permitted, unless in exceptional circumstances.

• Siblings are permitted to attend the Maternity Ward areas in addition to the two support partners

• Visiting in the inpatient antenatal and postnatal areas (Maternity ward) will be permitted between the following sessions: 11:00 – 14:00 and 16:00 - 19:00. Visiting will be restricted to one 3 hour visit per day and will need to be booked in advance to obtain a designated time slot.This is to reduce the volume of footfall of visitors within the area throughout the day ensuring safety for women and their babies.

• To book a visiting appointment for the Maternity Base, call 0151 702 4064 between the hours of 08.30-16.00.

• If making a request between the hours of 16:00 - 08.30 this should be made via Email using: maternityvisiting@lwh.nhs.ukPlease include within the Email details your name, contact number, the name of who you are visiting and your preferred time to visit. A member of the maternity team will contact you by email or phone before 09:30hrs to confirm your appointment or to offer an alternative slot if your preferred time is not available. 

• Please note that at present visiting appointment requests can only be made one day at a time – block bookings for set times each day will not be possible. You will be required to contact us each day to book individual appointments.

• We request that once support partners enter the hospital that they stay inside for the full period of their visit. If you intend to purchase food or other items from somewhere other than the hospital, please bring them with you when you arrive. You will not be permitted to exit and re-enter the hospital in the same period unless there are exceptional circumstances. 

• Women who have suffered the loss of a baby will be able to receive support from their nominated support partners initially and staff will also provide bereavement support. In the period after the loss of a baby, family will be able to support women when they are in the care of our Honeysuckle Team – this will normally be limited to a baby’s parents and/or grandparents. We do also politely ask that the two chosen support partners remain the same two people however staff will discuss any specific arrangements or requests in more detail with women and families privately.   

Neonatal Visiting Policy

• We are slowly starting to open extended family visiting and as of Monday 14th March on the Neonatal unit and this will now allow Parents/Significant others to freely visit the Neonatal unit for prebooked 1 hour periods. 

• Parents/Significant others will be asked to take weekly PCR tests. We ask if you feel unwell that you do not visit the unit and speak with a member of staff.

• If a baby being cared for on the Neonatal Unit is being tested for – or has tested positive for – Covid-19, some visiting restriction measures will be introduced. This will be discussed with families individually.

• To ensure that we continue to maintain the highest standards of infection control we need to ensure that you as parents/significant others  that you fully understand the precautions you must take to help us maintain these standards so we can keep visiting open. Please note all extended visitors will need to have  had all their covid vaccines and a negative lateral flow before visiting is granted.  

Gynaecology Visiting Policy

Two family members who will be able to visit for one hour. Unless there are exceptional circumstances where additional visiting is needed. 

All visitors should still observe the strict 1 metre social distancing principles whilst moving around the hospital, wear face coverings and adhere to strict hand Hygiene on entering and leaving the hospital and clinical areas. 

Visitors must.

• Provide proof of vaccination
• Take a lateral flow test, regardless of vaccination status and provide proof of a negative result (Briefing template (england.nhs.uk)

• Must agree to follow all IPC procedures – handwashing, wearing mask, safe distance of 1 metre
• Must notify the ward if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19 infection within 48 hrs of their visit to the hospital
• Anyone with cough and colds will not be permitted on to the ward

Visiting times:

• Visiting times: Mon-Sun 1200 – 1800 hrs
• Visitors must not arrive before their allocated time.
• Once visit is completed the visitors must immediately exit the unit and the Trust.

The following exceptions should be observed within gynaecology:

• Patients at the end of life

• A carer that is supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism or other similar complex conditions where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.

• Parent / guardian for those patients who are under the age of 18.

• Support person / partner for those patients attending Gynaecology Ward for late medical termination of pregnancy and miscarriage.

• In exceptional cases consideration will be given to individual requests following a comprehensive risk assessment.

Wearing of face coverings in clinical settings

• For women attending antenatal scans (12 week, 20 week, and FMU scans) with their support partner, you will both be expected to wear a face covering. Women or support partners who have an underlying health issue that prevents them from being able to wear a face covering should make our sonography team aware before coming to the hospital for your scan appointment – please refer to the contact details on your appointment letter. This will allow any necessary arrangements to be made to protect you and our staff in advance. Please note if there is no justifiable reason for not wearing a face covering or if you have not made the sonography team aware in advance that you are exempt, support partners will not be allowed to enter the scanning room.  
• Women and support partners are expected to wear face coverings at all times when in communal areas of the hospital. Face coverings should fully cover your nose and mouth and only be removed if advised by a member of staff or when eating or drinking.
• All birthing rooms are individual rooms and birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present in the birthing room. Birth partners may remove their face covering if they wish to do so only when they and their partner are alone in the room.
• If a woman requires a procedure in theatre, birth partners must wear a fluid resistant surgical mask provided by the hospital at all times on route to theatre, within the theatre complex and the recovery area.
• Women who are admitted to the induction suite and their birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present at the bedside or anyone is within a 2 metre distance when caring for you.
• You can wear your own face covering or if you do not have one you will be provided with a face mask on entry to the hospital.
• If you have any reason or underlying condition that makes you exempt from wearing a face covering, please inform us prior to coming into the hospital so we can make any necessary arrangements, such as alternative PPE. Please contact the relevant department you are attending in advance and they can make the necessary arrangements for you.
• If you are a support partner accompanying a women who is in the hospital to have their baby and you refuse to wear a face covering for any reason other than a health condition, you will only be permitted to support your partner once established labour is confirmed (this excludes induction of labour) and you will also be asked to leave the hospital shortly after the baby’s birth.

We ask for everyone’s compliance with these measures to keep our women, newborn babies, families and staff safe and to protect us all from Covid-19.

Thank you for your support and co-operation

Please do not attend the hospital unless you are the patient, birth partner or parents of a baby on the Neonatal Unit

Please do not attend the hospital unless you are the patient, the birth partner or the parent of a baby in the neonatal unit.

This means that children and friends/family members will not be allowed to stay in areas such as main reception during visiting times. The only person permitted entry to the hospital during visiting is the individual visiting a patient. Members of staff across the Trust have been made aware of this policy and anyone attempting to access the hospital who is not visiting a patient will be asked to leave or will be refused entry entirely.

Any families or patients who wish to receive support from a member of our Chaplaincy Team will be able to access this but please make arrangements with a member of staff on the ward/unit so this can be arranged in the safest way. 

Wearing of face coverings in clinical settings

• For women attending antenatal scans (12 week, 20 week, and FMU scans) with their support partner, you will both be expected to wear a face covering. Women or support partners who have an underlying health issue that prevents them from being able to wear a face covering should make our sonography team aware before coming to the hospital for your scan appointment – please refer to the contact details on your appointment letter. This will allow any necessary arrangements to be made to protect you and our staff in advance. Please note if there is no justifiable reason for not wearing a face covering or if you have not made the sonography team aware in advance that you are exempt, support partners will not be allowed to enter the scanning room.  
• Women and support partners are expected to wear face coverings at all times when in communal areas of the hospital. Face coverings should fully cover your nose and mouth and only be removed if advised by a member of staff or when eating or drinking.
• All birthing rooms are individual rooms and birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present in the birthing room. Birth partners may remove their face covering if they wish to do so only when they and their partner are alone in the room.
• If a woman requires a procedure in theatre, birth partners must wear a fluid resistant surgical mask provided by the hospital at all times on route to theatre, within the theatre complex and the recovery area.
• Women who are admitted to the induction suite and their birth partners must wear a face covering when any members of staff are present at the bedside or anyone is within a 2 metre distance when caring for you.
• You can wear your own face covering or if you do not have one you will be provided with a face mask on entry to the hospital.
• If you have any reason or underlying condition that makes you exempt from wearing a face covering, please inform us prior to coming into the hospital so we can make any necessary arrangements, such as alternative PPE. Please contact the relevant department you are attending in advance and they can make the necessary arrangements for you.
• If you are a support partner accompanying a women who is in the hospital to have their baby and you refuse to wear a face covering for any reason other than a health condition, you will only be permitted to support your partner once established labour is confirmed (this excludes induction of labour) and you will also be asked to leave the hospital shortly after the baby’s birth.

We ask for everyone’s compliance with these measures to keep our women, newborn babies, families and staff safe and to protect us all from Covid-19.

Thank you for your support and co-operation

Exceptions to visiting access

Temporary restrictions to visiting will be introduced in the following circumstances:

• If a patient or visitor has tested positive for Covid-19.
• If a visitor has Covid-19 symptoms when visiting the hospital.
• If a visitor is isolating as a contact of someone who is Covid-19 positive.
• If a visitor has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say they have been in contact with a Covid-19 positive patient.
• If a visitor is shielding.
• If there is a reported staff outbreak of Covid-19 in specific areas of the hospital.
• If any geographical outbreak of Covid-19 or local restrictions introduced requiring stricter measures to control footfall in and out of the hospital is viewed by the Trust to be too high risk if cases continue to rise.

Neonatal Visiting

• Parents/Significant others  can freely visit the Neonatal unit at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Parents/Significant others will be asked to take weekly PCR tests. We ask if you feel unwell that you do not visit the unit and speak with a member of staff.

• If a baby being cared for on the Neonatal Unit is being tested for – or has tested positive for – Covid-19, some visiting restriction measures will be introduced. This will be discussed with families individually.

• We are slowly starting to open extended family visiting and as of Monday 14^th March. This will allow grandparents/significant others and sibling to visit for prebooked 1 hour periods.

• To ensure that we continue to maintain the highest standards of infection control we need to ensure that you as parents/significant others  that you fully understand the precautions you must take to help us maintain these standards so we can keep visiting open. Please note all extended visitors will need to have  had all their covid vaccines and a negative lateral flow before visiting is granted.

• Any families or patients who wish to receive support from a member of our Chaplaincy Team will be able to access this but please make arrangements with a member of staff on the ward/unit so this can be arranged in the safest way. 

Social Workers/Carers/Advocates/Community Staff

Any patient requiring visitation from external NHS staff or partner agencies will need to be contacted directly. If face to face visitation is unavoidable please contact the Trust Safeguarding Team on 0151 702 4181 (during office hours), out of hours please contact Switchboard 0151 708 9988 and ask to be put through to the bleep holder for the division you require (Maternity / Neonatal etc).

Any professional meetings required (discharge meetings, strategy meetings etc) need to be co-ordinated through the Trust Safeguarding Team in a timely manner as possible

• Community Midwifery: clinics are still running, however patients are advised not to bring any family members with you to the GP Surgery, Children’s Centre or Hospital during this time.

Protect your loved ones. Download the app.

The new NHS COVID-19 app, now available to download for free in England and Wales, is the fastest way to see if you're at risk from coronavirus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.

The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in.

What does the app do?

Trace: Get alerted if you’ve been near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus

Alert: Let us know the level of coronavirus risk in your postcode

Check-in: Get alerted if you have visited a venue where you may have come into contact with coronavirus

Symptoms: Check if you have coronavirus symptoms and see if you need to order a free test

Test: Help you book a test and get your result

Isolate: Keep track of your self-isolation countdown and access relevant advice

The app will help the NHS Test and Trace service, Public Health England, the Government and other stakeholders - to understand how and where the virus is moving, so we can take the necessary measures to contain and enable action, alongside our current contact tracing and containment measures. The NHS COVID-19 app tracks the spread of the virus, not individuals.

You can download the App for IOS or Android by searching ‘NHS Covid-19’ in your App Store.

When you visit Liverpool Women’s Hospital, don’t forget to scan the QR code which will be displayed around the hospital site, to check-in to the venue and be alerted if you have come into close contact with anyone with coronavirus.

For more information on the app, visit the NHS website.