News
Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Government guidance on Covid-19
- People 40 and over to get booster jab three months on from second dose
- COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting
- Government Covid-19 information
- Adult social care guidance
Guidance on visiting patients during the Covid-19 pandemic
Important information:
With high numbers of COVID-19 cases in our local communities, and a growing number of positive patients in our hospital, we regret that it is necessary to stop visiting (except in exceptional circumstances) in order to protect patients, staff and visitors.
Visitors will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, including:
- for a patient at end of life
- one regular carer for a patient with additional needs, such as a patient with dementia
- one parent/guardian for a child
- one birth partner
Any visitors who are allowed must:
- not come to the hospital if you are feeling unwell, including cold or flu symptoms
- wash or gel your hands and put on a new mask as soon as you enter a ward or unit
- follow the additional measures that will be requested by our staff if you are visiting a patient with an infection.
Virtual visits
Despite these measures, the risk of contracting Covid-19 during a visit remains. Where relatives choose not to visit, and or where a face-to-face visit is not practical, then virtual visits through the use of smart phones or i-pads can be supported and facilitated.
Questions
Any further questions should be directed to the ward manager or matron for the area. The ward manager and consultant responsible for the patient can use their discretion to allow visiting depending on clinical circumstances. If necessary they can escalate to the relevant divisional director, medical director or executive member of staff on call.
Pausing planned procedures and out-patient appointments
In response to the on-going Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the increasing need for us to care for patients requiring urgent, emergency or Covid-19 care, we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily pause the majority of non-urgent, time critical planned procedures/operations and out-patient services.
If you are affected by this decision, please be assured that we will contact you directly as soon as possible. We know this will be disappointing news for those waiting for planned treatment, and we are sorry for this.
If you do not hear from us, your appointment will still go ahead as planned. Please keep these appointments, our onsite services are safe to attend. (During your visit please wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines.) Urgent and emergency care, including cancer treatments will continue. If you experience any symptoms that concern you, we urge you to speak to your GP and seek the care you need.
Why are you cancelling operations or appointments?
As more people require care for COVID-19, it’s essential for us to free up vital clinical staff to support areas of our hospitals that need it most during this challenging time. We know how disappointing this will be for patients who have been waiting, and we are sorry if you are affected by this decision.
Do you know when I might be rescheduled?
Unfortunately at this time, we are not able to advise when you might be rescheduled. We will be reviewing this decision on an on-going basis, and you will be contacted as soon as it is possible for us to see you.
This is not the first time my operation/appointment has already been postponed – will I be prioritised when the service is up and running again?
We are really sorry for your experience. We are continuing to see and treat patients with the most urgent clinical need. When our services resume, patients will be seen in order of clinical priority.I haven’t been contacted – should I still attend the hospital?
If you have not been advised of any changes to your operation/procedure/appointment, please attend your appointment as planned.
Can I still access the hospital in an emergency?
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency (for example symptoms of a heart attack or stroke) you must dial 999 immediately. If you require urgent care, please call NHS 111 first.
I would like to give feedback or raise a concern. Who can I speak to?
We encourage you to get in touch with us if you have any feedback or a concern. Our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) is also available to support you should you need it.
Vaccine and Easy Read information
- Covid Vaccine film produced by Skills for People and Learning Disability England
- Vaccination guide for older adults (various languages)
- What to expect after the vaccine (various languages)
- Why you are being asked to wait (various languages)
- Women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding (various languages)
- What to expect after your vaccination
Covid-19 infection, pregnancy and birth
Click here for our up-to-date information for pregnant women and their families.
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Contact the press office
For press enquiries, please email thh-tr.communications@nhs.net
Out-of-hours enquiries will be picked up by the on-call team member
Please note, that the cancer services at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre are run by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Any press enquiries regarding these services should be directed to 01438 314 333 and you will be directed to the press officer on call.