02 February 2021

Changes to KEMH clinical processes

Following the admission to the hospital of a Covid-19 patient, KEMH has reviewed its clinical processes and practices in order to ensure that as many precautions are in place as possible.

The patient remains stable and is being cared for on the hot ward, in line with Covid-19 case management plans, but some additional measures have been put in place as extra security.

• KEMH has separate teams working in the hot and cold areas of the hospital to try and avoid crossover between these areas
• Hot staff are being lateral flow tested every three days and are socially distancing
• All staff are now wearing masks for the time being, no matter where they work in KEMH
• Some clinics may be cancelled or moved due to changes in weighting clinical staff and ensuring there is enough cover for the hot and cold areas of the hospital

CMO Dr Beccy Edwards, said: “We have enhanced our working practices in order to reduce the risk of transmissibility to staff and to make sure that we are being as vigilant as we possibly can be. There is no cause for alarm and this should not impact on the delivery of the vaccination programme which begins next week. Instead we are just aiming to be as safe as we possibly can and we appreciate the public’s support and patience.”

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is due to begin on Monday 8 February and the schedule will be published and promoted shortly. The aim is for all eligible people to receive their first dose during that week in the phase one part of the rollout, followed by the second dose in mid-March.