Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The safety of our patients and visitors is our number one priority. Your healthcare is essential and we are actively working with and following guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care, UK Health Security Agency, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Wales to ensure you are kept safe.
Expert care every step of the way
It's of huge importance that we create environments that are as clinically safe as possible so everyone feels confident about coming into our hospitals.
Coming into hospital
If you're coming into hospital for surgery, your consultant or nurse will advise whether you will need a COVID-19 test depending on which pathway you will be managed on before your admission. Read details of the pathways:
When to self-isolate
Visit the NHS website for the latest information on when and how to self-isolate.
Patient safety
If you're still able to attend the hospital and to support screening for COVID-19, on entering we’re asking everyone to:
- Report any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a new, continuous cough, high temperature (above 37.8) or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Patients attending in an outpatient capacity who display symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival to the hospital will be asked to return home and follow the latest government guidance on the NHS website or available on the GOV.UK website. Any planned admissions should contact the hospital immediately to report any symptoms and advised not to attend.
Visitors
Please check the hospital website homepage to see if local visiting restrictions apply due to local increases in COVID-19 cases. Visitors to inpatients (Scotland only) or chemotherapy units and critical care units will need to take a lateral flow test on the day of their visit and bring proof of a negative test result. Test kits should be sourced from GOV.UK.
Important information for visitors
- Visitors must not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have received a positive test result
- Visitors feeling unwell even if they have tested negative for COVID-19, are fully vaccinated, and have received their booster should not visit
- All visitors must adhere to infection control measures while in the hospital
- In Scotland, visitors must wear a face covering. In England and Wales, visitors attending cancer units/OPS cancer review clinics are encouraged to wear a mask. Visitors attending the inpatient wards and outpatients are not required to wear a mask unless this is their personal preference
- A parent accompanying a child or young person may be required to have a test as per the relevant pathway that the patient is on
Do you have a new, continuous cough?
Follow government guidance and self-isolate if you or someone you live with is showing coronavirus symptoms such as a new, continuous cough.
Feeling feverish?
A fever or a high temperature (above 37.8) could be a symptom of coronavirus. To protect others, stay at home.
Has your sense of smell or taste changed?
A reduced or altered sense of taste or smell could be a symptom of coronavirus. To protect others, stay at home.
Vulnerable patients
If you're 70 plus, pregnant, or have an underlying health condition you are more likely to be seriously affected by COVID-19. Protect yourself by following the government advice.
COVID-19 vaccine Q&A
As a patient, can I receive a COVID 19 vaccine at Spire Healthcare?
No – the COVID 19 vaccination programme is being led by the NHS. You'll be contacted by your GP or local NHS hub when eligible for the vaccine.
If I've had the COVID-19 vaccines do I still need a COVID swab before any surgery/intervention at a Spire Hospital?
You will still need a COVID-19 swab before any surgery or some interventions at Spire Healthcare. Your consultant will discuss this with you.
If I've had the COVID-19 vaccine do I still need to wear a mask/face covering?
Yes, you will - in our hospitals in Scotland. In our hospitals in England and wales, guidance for inpatients, outpatients and visitors is outlined at the top of this page.
After having both doses of the vaccine most people will be protected against coronavirus. It takes a few weeks after getting the second dose for it to work. There is a small chance you might still get coronavirus even if you've had the vaccine.
If I have had the COVID-19 vaccine, can I go ahead with my surgery?
Yes, however, we'd advise that you wait 5-7 days after the vaccine before any surgery where possible, to allow plenty of time for any potential side effects from the vaccine to settle.
If I have had surgery how long, do I need to wait before having my COVID-19 vaccine?
Where possible, we'd suggest waiting for 5-7 days after surgery to have the vaccine. However, if this is not possible you should have the vaccine when offered it.
I am due to have surgery between the first and second COVID vaccines – will my surgery go ahead?
Yes, however we'd advise that you wait 5-7 days after the vaccine before any surgery to allow for any potential side effects.
Can I have my steroid joint injection if I have had a COVID-19 vaccine?
There is currently no guidance around steroid injection’s and COVID-19 vaccine. Interactions are unlikely, but please discuss with your consultant.
I am undergoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy treatment will I be able to have the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, you'll be offered the vaccine as part of the roll out. You'll be contacted by your GP or local NHS hub when eligible for the vaccine. Please discuss dates for vaccine and chemotherapy treatment with your Oncologist.
For more details on the COVID 19 vaccine please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
Appointments and surgery
Have services fully opened up again for private patients?
Our hospitals are open to offer services for patients virtually and face to face.
I haven’t been contacted about my appointment. What should I do?
You’ll be contacted by a member of our team if your procedure needs to be cancelled. Your surgery will still be going ahead unless you have had a phone call to say otherwise.
I can’t get through on the phone and I have a question.
We’re really sorry we couldn’t get to your call. While we’re doing everything we can to answer calls as quickly as we can, we’re seeing higher call volumes than normal so it’s taking a little longer than usual to answer. If it is more convenient for you, you can request a call back using our online enquiry form.
Find your nearest hospital
Data protection during the coronavirus pandemic
How we'll share personal information about you during the pandemic, how we process your personal data and what delays you may experience during this time.
