The Emergency department Paediatric Department at Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is prepared to tackle Coronavirus and will look after your children should they need hospitalisation. The most up to date information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the NHS website.
COVID-19 is a virus that can affect your lungs and airways. Children seem to be at lower risk of severe infections but due to the virus being highly contagious, it is essential that the condition is treated seriously and all advice followed.
If you are concerned your child has symptoms or lives with someone who has symptoms, please refer to the NHS website for advice.
If admitted to hospital with suspected Coronavirus, staff might wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and children will be kept isolated. PPE can be scary for children so they may need reassurance. The picture by Dr Clarissa Chase may help:
To minimise the spread of infection, only one parent will be able to stay with your child and no other visitors are currently allowed. Parents can swap if required but we request that this is limited. Free Wi-Fi has been provided by Stars Appeal charitable funding and is available via the Cloud. We encourage you to video-call and virtually visit if possible.
We have divided our children’s inpatient ward, Sarum, into two areas to ensure patients with suspected Coronavirus are looked after separately to patients requiring admission not due to infection. To limit the number of people in hospital, there are currently no catering facilities for visitors.
For our Neonatal Unit, only one parent can stay and no other visitors are allowed (including siblings).
We are conducting many of our outpatient consultations via telephone or video appointments. Some non-urgent appointments may need to be cancelled but you will be informed should this be the case.
Please do not come to the hospital if you or your child has any symptoms suggestive of Coronavirus. Please follow the guidance provided on the NHS website.
If a face-to-face consultation is required, we request that the child is accompanied by one parent/carer only.
If you are concerned your child is sick, please do seek medical attention without delay as described by the RCPCH president Professor Russell Viner:
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.