COVID-19 (coronavirus): Information for the public
Overview
Last updated: 9 may 2023
This page is continually updated. Please check this page and our social media channels regularly for the latest information.
Thank you for helping us to keep you, our patients, and our staff safe.
Members of staff, patients and visitors are no longer required to wear a mask in public, clinical and non-clinical areas across the Royal Free London, except when specifically indicated. Please continue to take precautions based on your situation and anyone is welcome to wear a mask if they feel safer doing so. A clinical area refers to a department, a ward, a waiting area, or clinic.
Read more on our updated mask guidance for patients, carers and visitors.
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, we have extra measures in place to protect patients, visitors and staff. Find out more about these measures and how you can support the trust during this challenging time by reading how we're keeping you safe.
- We ask that all patients and visitors wear a face mask or face covering when requested by a member of staff.
- Use hand sanitiser or wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap as soon as you arrive. Hand sanitiser is available at all of our entrances and across buildings so that you can clean your hands more frequently.
- Patients on most of our wards are now able to receive visitors. Please see our visiting guidance page for more information. If visits are not possible, then you can use our free NHS WiFi to keep in touch with family and friends by video or phone call. If you don’t have a suitable device, let us know and we will help you to make calls.
Our response to COVID-19
We know this can still be a difficult time for our patients, and their families, friends and carers. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us to protect our patients and staff.
As part of our response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, we have made a number of important changes including:
Advice for visitors
Changes to non-emergency patient transport
Some of our services have also developed service specific advice, including:
Adult blood tests
Audiology
Bereavement
Breast screening
Children and young people's blood tests
Easy read information
Neonatal service, advice for children and advice for parents, guardians and carers
Kidney and kidney transplant
Maternity
Ophthalmology
Please check our services A-Z.
Symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do
Visit the NHS website for a list of Covid-19 symptoms. To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have symptoms. Stay at home.
For advice on the next steps please visit: www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
If you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home or your condition gets worse, please visit: www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19. If you cannot get help online, please call 111.
COVID-19 information in other formats and languages
Non-English languages
Translated information on COVID-19 symptoms, testing and how to self-isolate is available on the Doctors of the World website. (Available in 60 languages)
British Sign Language
Information in British Sign Language (BSL) is available on the SignHealth website. Information covers topics such as how to contact NHS 111, using InterpreterNow – an app which supports BSL communications – when having a COVID-19 test, and health/government advice.
Patient leaflets
Read our patient leaflets and publications
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Approved: 12/09/2022
Visiting Maternity Information for women
.pdf (293 KB)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
A guide for all women of childbearing age (Public Health England)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for adults (Public Health England)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination (Public Health England)
.pdf (375 KB)
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Approved: 21/04/2020
Easy read - coronavirus symptoms (government leaflet)
.pdf (45 KB)
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Approved: 16/04/2020
Easy read - wearing an oxygen mask
.pdf (712 KB)
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Easy read - staying at home when you’re ill (government leaflet)
.pdf (221 KB)
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Easy read - helping each other (government leaflet)
.pdf (699 KB)
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Easy read - protecting people most likely to get very poorly from coronavirus (PHE leaflet)
.pdf (2 MB)
In this section
- What to expect if someone you know is admitted to hospital with COVID-19
- Latest visitor guidance
- Communication between patients and family and friends
- Advice for the general public and vulnerable people
- Work and volunteering opportunities
- Donating to our staff and supporting our appeal
- Stakeholder updates