COVID-19 (coronavirus): Information for the public
Overview
Last updated: 12 April 2021
This page is continually being updated to reflect the changing situation. Please check this page and our social media channels regularly for the latest information.
***Important information - please read***
- Our children and young people’s emergency department and in-patient ward at the Royal Free Hospital is open. Read more here.
- Information in other languages on COVID-19 symptoms, testing and how to self-isolate is available on the Doctors of the World website, and in British Sign Language on the SignHealth website.
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, we are putting 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.
Our response to COVID-19
We know this will 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:
- Pausing all planned procedures and out-patient appointments
- Advice for visitors
- Making changes to adult services at Edgware Community Hospital
- 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
Do not leave your home if you have either:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in a 24 hour period (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste - this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. 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: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19 (Romanian)
.pdf (714 KB)
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Approved: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19 (Turkish)
.pdf (717 KB)
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Approved: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19 (Persian Farsi)
.pdf (560 KB)
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Approved: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19 (Arabic)
.pdf (617 KB)
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Approved: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19
.pdf (877 KB)
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Approved: 19/01/2021
Helping you recover and manage your symptoms after COVID-19 (Albanian)
.pdf (669 KB)
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Approved: 05/01/2021
Advice for bereaved families during the pandemic
.pdf (401 KB)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
A guide for all women of childbearing age (Public Health England)
.pdf (290 KB)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for adults (Public Health England)
.pdf (806 KB)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
Why do I have to wait for my COVID-19 vaccine? (Public Health England)
.pdf (573 KB)
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Approved: 04/01/2021
What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination (Public Health England)
.pdf (575 KB)
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Approved: 15/10/2020
COVID-19 infection: discharge from A&E (NHS England)
.pdf (229 KB)
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Approved: 15/12/2020
Re-introduction of partners to the maternity service
.pdf (391 KB)
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Approved: 21/04/2020
Neonatal unit information during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic
.pdf (871 KB)
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Approved: 07/08/2020
COVID-19 FAQs for pregnant women final
.pdf (246 KB)
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Approved: 02/06/2020
Information for family and friends of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (coronavirus)
.pdf (419 KB)
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Approved: 12/05/2020
Your emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic
.pdf (393 KB)
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Approved: 28/04/2020
Physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation for viral infections (including COVID-19)
.pdf (1 MB)
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Approved: 21/04/2020
Easy read - coronavirus symptoms (government leaflet)
.pdf (45 KB)
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Easy read – wash hands and don’t touch your face (government leaflet)
.pdf (44 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
- Changes to our services
- 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
- COVID-19 vaccination centre
- Stakeholder updates