Covid-19 Update March 2020
As you may be aware from the news, certain private hospitals have been requisitioned into the NHS to help with the Coronavirus pandemic. This, alongside strengthened social distancing measures, means we have taken the decision to postpone all immediate operations and close our clinics for new consultations for the foreseeable future. Immediate post-operative patients will be reviewed face to face wherever possible after which will use a technology first approach.
We know that you will have been planning and thinking about surgery for many years and we are very sorry for the huge inconvenience that this causes. We hope that you understand that these are unprecedented circumstances and the safety and well-being of our staff and patients is our top priority. We must all take every necessary precaution to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak.
We are currently calling all patients who have operations booked with us, those undergoing post-operative care, and those with outstanding appointments that will need rescheduling. Our call centres remain open and you can reach them on 03330 14 10 14.
Please know that we are taking the right steps to keep everyone safe. We are still offering video eConsults with a Patient Coordinator so you can get your journey started with us. We know that many of you are have been waiting a long time and that you are ready to take the next step and to talk to someone about your hopes. Within days we will also be launching an extension of our eConsult offering by allowing you to connect directly with a surgeon by the same video call mechanism. You may not be able to proceed with your operation straight away, but now is the perfect time to start your journey with MYA, see if we can help you and meet your expectations so that we can be ready for when our hospitals open again.
We will continue to respond to the situation as it develops and will be reassessing on a week-by-week basis. We will be staying in touch with our patients via email, the website and social media. Thank you for your continued support and your patience during this time.
Here at MYA, we are constantly evolving how we do things so that we can improve the service we provide to our patients, our staff members and our greater community. We want to share with you our 4-point plan where we outline the steps already taken to improve our service as well as additional steps we are taking to be extra vigilant as Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to progress.
1. Technology-first approach
Sometime ago we introduced eConsultations and we now carry out 100% of our initial appointments with a Patient Coordinator via eConsult video call, limiting the frequency of visits to one of our clinic hubs. We have carried out 1000s of video eConsultations over the past 18 months with great patient satisfaction. We are now rolling out pre-operative assessments with a MYA nurse via eConsult video call. This will further reduce the need to travel to one of our clinic hubs, while still providing a clinical service.
Technology is allowing us to connect with our patients in a more consistent way and considering the current climate, a safer way.
2. Safe Environment
In light of the current National Health Service (NHS) and Public Health England (PHE) recommendations and whilst you are in one of our clinic hubs or operating sites, we ask that you follow the guidance below:
Chaperone - we are requesting that patients do not attend one of our clinic hubs with a chaperone, we will facilitate this. An exception would be a chaperone who is assisting a patient with a physical or sensory need.
Hygiene - we continue to employ robust hygiene and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols across all sites. Where clinical assessments are required by the clinical team, PPE (gown, masks and gloves) will be worn.
Hand Washing - we are asking patients to follow NHS guidance regarding washing hands before and after attending an appointment with the nurse and surgeon.
We will stagger appointments on-site to allow for surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected following a consultation.
For up to date please follow the link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
3. Robust screening process
In line with current NHS guidance (found in link above), we are screening all patients and staff due to attend one of our clinic hubs or operating locations. Anyone that falls within the at-risk categories will be asked to reschedule their appointment or operation for a minimum of 14 days.
Stay at home if you have either:
a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
If you have returned from any of the countries listed on the government website in recent weeks, we ask that you reschedule your appointment to a date that is 14 days or more from the date of your arrival back into the UK.
If you have visited one of our clinics or operating locations within the last 14 days and have since been diagnosed as having contracted Coronavirus (COVID-19), or have been in close proximity to someone who has been diagnosed as having contacted the virus, please get in touch with us on 03330 14 10 14
For up-to-date travel advice https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
4. Patient Health
For the most part, the majority of our patients are fit and healthy, therefore we will continue to conduct extensive medical history checks and engage with GP practises to validate information. We may require your support to help reduce the burden on the GP practice, as many patients will have access to their medical summary via their GP’s online portal.
Unfortunately, should you fall within the at-risk category, we will not be able to operate until the situation stabilises.
Finally, as the position with Covoravirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we are actively managing this across MYA as best we can. Patients may be worried about their appointments or operations, however, if we have not been in touch with you, your planned appointment/operation is scheduled to go ahead. As the situation is ever evolving, we will be in touch with you if anything changes. Please note that any movement of your appointments is being done in your best interest and as directed by government guidelines.
Thank you for your patience. The work done over the past 18 months means we can currently offer a service with minimal business disruption.
MYA
