Coronavirus precautions – outpatients and visitors to HMR

The COVID-19 virus is a new coronavirus that has very recently ‘jumped’ from animals into humans. It causes an illness very similar to ‘flu’: most commonly fever, dry cough or chest tightness, change to sense of smell or taste, tiredness, and aching muscles, but some patients also get runny nose, sore throat and diarrhoea. Most patients have only a mild illness and recover without medical treatment, but some patients, particularly elderly people or those with existing health problems, get shortness of breath and become seriously ill.

We must take precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19, to protect all our volunteers, visitors and staff. So, before you visit HMR, we need to ask you some questions about your health.

• Have you had a new continuous cough, or a fever, or loss/change in the sense of smell or taste in the last 7 days?
• Has anyone you live with had a new continuous cough, or a fever, or loss/change in the sense of smell or taste in the past 2 weeks?
• Have you been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus)?

If you answer yes to any of those questions, we might need to reschedule your visit or make alternative arrangements. Please tell us before your visit if you become ill or you think you might have been in contact with someone who might have COVID-19.

Please be aware that, when you visit HMR, we’ll ask you these questions again, take your temperature and ask you to wash your hands before we admit you to the building. Please don’t be alarmed by this – we’re taking a cautious approach, to protect the health of all of our volunteers, visitors, and staff.

If you're worried about COVID-19, you can get more information at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ and www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public