Feel safe with Spire during COVID-19
Please read this information carefully especially if you are coming in for an appointment.
Expert care every step of the way
We’ve implemented a series of safety measures to help protect our patients and colleagues from the potential risk of COVID-19. We are keeping these measures in place once legal restrictions are lifted across the UK.
To help minimise the potential risk in our hospitals and help you feel safe, our safety measures include:
- Face masks – It is a mandatory requirement for patients to wear a mask within our hospitals unless medically exempt
- Staff COVID-19 vaccinations –All our colleagues have been offered a COVID vaccine and nearly 11,500 of all our colleagues have received both vaccines
- Screening – All patients and colleagues will self screen for any symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival. Only patients that are undergoing surgery will be provided with a COVID-19 test. Our colleagues are regularly tested for COVID-19 and wear appropriate PPE. If you are a contact of a positive COVID-19 case, are not legally required to self-isolate and are attending an outpatient appointment please bring evidence of a negative lateral flow test with you. If you are attending for surgery and are a contact of a positive COVID-19 case or you are legally required to isolate please contact your hospital
- Restricted visitors policy - To support social distancing and help protect our staff, patients and consultants, we are operating a restricted visitors policy, so please come alone to your appointment. In situations where it is essential that a visitor attends with you, approval must be sought from the hospital team prior to your appointment. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause
- Tests prior to surgery – If you're coming into hospital for surgery, your consultant or nurse will advise which pathway you will be managed on before your admission. Read details of the pathways: Coronavirus test and isolation guide and lateral flow test pathway guide
- COVID-19 tests – We’re only able to provide COVID-19 tests to patients undergoing surgery at our hospitals. COVID-19 testing or antibody tests are not available as a standalone service. You can visit the NHS website for more information on testing and tracing for coronavirus
- COVID-19 vaccine – Your surgery can still go ahead if you have been given the vaccine. We would 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. Your surgery may be postponed if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 7 weeks and a risk based assessment will be carried out by your consultant and clinical team. For more information please read our vaccine Q&A further down the page
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 wear a face covering, adhere to social distancing and infection control measures while in the hospital
- A parent accompanying a child or young person will be tested as per the relevant pathway that the patient is on
- Visitors who've had prior approval to attend the inpatient ward or chemotherapy unit will be required to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival at the hospital. If for any reason this is not possible a member of the Spire team will be able to undertake the test on arrival at the hospital
Take a look at the measures we've put in place to make you feel safe during COVID-19
An animated guide to our Covid-19 safety measures.
Your patient pathway
When you come into a Spire hospital we want you to feel as relaxed as possible – every step of the way. To support this, we are introducing a process called ‘patient pathways’; this means you’ll be allocated a clear journey to guide you through your hospital visit based on what you’ve done ahead of the appointment, and depending on your reason to visit. We’ve developed three patient pathways – Red, Amber and Green:
The Red pathway is for patients in outpatients including imaging or Bupa health clinics, who will not need to isolate, won’t have a COVID-19 swab taken but will be asymptomatic on arrival.
The Amber pathway is for patients who are clinically vulnerable – for example those who are undergoing treatment for cancer, coming in for pre-operative assessment.
The Green pathway is for patients undergoing surgery – inpatients and day case – who have tested negative for COVID-19.
Your visit
We’re confident that these pathways will help create a secure, protective environment so everyone feels more confident about coming into and working in our hospitals.
1. Your appointment
Search our consultants online
You can use our consultant search tool to find a consultant that best matches your needs.
See a specialist without leaving your home
Where possible our experts will conduct initial consultations virtually so you don’t have to attend a hospital, but when it’s absolutely necessary face to face consultations can also be made available.
2. Preparing for your visit
Pre-op assessment
All of our surgical inpatients will have a pre-op assessment to prepare you for your operation.
Self-isolation
Prior to undergoing surgery you will undergo a COVID-19 swab test and may be instructed to self isolate from time of test. For more details on how you can best prepare for your operation please read the isolation guide
3. During your visit
Staff PPE and testing
To keep everyone safe in our hospitals, all Spire staff will receive regular COVID-19 testing and wear PPE.
Patient PPE and testing
On arrival you’ll be met by a member of the Spire team who will give you your own mask to wear in the hospital.
You'll have easy access to handwashing and hand sanitisers throughout our hospitals and clinics.
Social distancing
Our hospitals have been specially adapted to ensure appropriate distancing. This includes clear signage and a one-way system throughout.
Your room
For the majority of treatments patients will have their own individual room with an en-suite bathroom.
4. After your visit
Aftercare
Patients will receive post-operative care information and any consultant follow-up required – delivered either face to face or virtually.
Helpline
A 24/7 helpline is available to provide post-operative advice, whenever you need it.
Frequently asked questions
How is the coronavirus affecting the hospital?
We are:
- Asking anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 not to attend our hospital
- Patients self screen upon arrival
- Restricting visitor access to our hospitals
I’m nervous about coming into hospital / is it safe to come into hospital?
We’re actively working with, and following guidance from all national healthcare bodies to ensure you are kept safe.
We’re asking anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 not to attend our hospitals; we’re restricting access for visitors, and patients are self screening upon arrival as we work hard to maintain everyone’s safety.
We're asking everyone who attends our site to abide by our policy on social distancing. Please ensure that you stand or sit a minimum of two metres apart.
If you have any concerns, please contact your local hospital and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Are you testing patients for coronavirus?
Before undergoing surgery, your consultant or nurse will provide you with instructions as to which pathway you will follow and you will undergo a COVID-19 swab test.
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 will be contacted by your GP or local NHS hub when eligible for the vaccine.
If I have had the COVID vaccines do I still need a COVID swab before any surgery/intervention at a Spire Hospital?
You'll 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.
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.
This means it's important to:
- Continue to follow social distancing and other guidance: remember hands, face, space
- When attending a Spire hospital you will be required to wear a face mask, which will be supplied to you
If I've 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've 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/
The NHS COVID-19 app is available to download for free in England and Wales. It's 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.
