Please read and follow this advice if you are bringing your child into hospital for an outpatient appointment, procedure or scan.
Face masks
From 7 June 2022, staff and visitors no longer need to wear face masks in all non-clinical areas of Newcastle Hospitals, unless it is their personal preference to do so.
The change has been made in line with national guidance about the mandated use of masks in healthcare settings.
However, visitors will still be asked to continue to wear face masks in many ‘higher risk’ clinical areas – such as critical care, cancer wards and older people’s medicine – to help ensure we protect our more vulnerable patients or in wards where patients may be infectious.
Please be considerate of waiting areas where there might be vulnerable patients waiting. You may need to wear a mask in these areas such as, NCCC and renal outpatients and IOT outpatients.
Please ask the team looking after you to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable.
COVID-19
Please contact us to discuss your child’s appointment if you or the child in your care have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or live with someone who currently has COVID-19.
Coming in for an appointment
Ideally one parent – rather than both parents – should accompany their child to an appointment. If you or your child need to be supported please contact the department directly to discuss with the nurse in charge.
Clean hands
Use hand gel or wash your hands when you arrive and keep a distance between you and others to reduce the risk of transmission. We encourage the child in your care to do the same.
Shielding
If you, or the child in your care, have been shielding at home or are at higher risk, please let us know and we can offer you some advice about your appointment.
Change appointment
If you need to make any changes to the appointment, please call the contact number on the appointment letter.
Be kind
Our staff have the right to work in a safe and supportive environment. Thank you for continuing to be kind and respectful to our staff, patients and visitors.
