COVID-19: Service Information

In response to the current stage of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and to allow our teams to support our colleagues across the Essex health and social care system, we are making a number of changes to our service provision. The services affected are:

• Lymphoedema Service: The services that will no longer be accepting non-urgent referrals. 

• Outpatients Physiotherapy Service:  The service will no longer be accepting referrals for adults or Children with non-urgent musculoskeletal problems. Adults requiring physiotherapy following recent surgery or fracture will continue to be accepted.

• Minor Operations - Carpal Tunnel Service: The Carpal Tunnel service will continue to accept referrals which will be held on a waiting list.

If there are any immediate changes to current appointments you will be contacted by the Care Co-ordination Centre ahead of time. 

Our Outpatient Physiotherapy website includes a range of resources that will help people manage symptoms quickly and effectively, including an online symptom checker, that, will help people reach a possible diagnosis and learn ways to improve symptoms with advice on when to seek further healthcare advice.                                        

Please note: This page will be updated to reflect any changes, so please check back regularly. Last updated 5 January.

Face mask/coverings

Please be aware that all individuals (including staff, visitors and service users) entering one of our hospital or clinic venues will be required to wear a face mask or face covering, as per the government COVID-19 guidance.*  

Visitors and outpatients to hospital settings should put on a clean form of face-covering or face mask as you are entering the hospital building. Advice on how to wear and make a face covering can be found here. 

*Please note, face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly (including individuals with lung or respiratory conditions affected by the reduced airflow, or who may not be able to apply and remove the mask safely such as individuals with Alzheimer’s; our staff will support you with social distancing in these instances). It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off. For more information visit.

Visiting arrangements for Community Wards

Information for visitors

Public health England (PHE) guidance provides advice for facilitating visiting across healthcare inpatient settings and maintains that the health, safety, and wellbeing of patients, communities, individuals, and teams remain the priority.

Due to the current COVID-19 alert level, we have implemented a strict visiting process to St Peters Stroke Rehab Ward in Maldon. In order to comply with latest guidance and to strive to maximise the safety of our patients and staff, we recognise the essential need to be able to connect patients with their loved ones face to face.  Please also note the option of virtual visiting is still available, please contact the ward to arrange this directly.

To arrange a visit:

Please call the ward directly on the number below to book your visiting appointment. It is recommended that you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Appointments can be booked on the same day if there is the availability

For those visiting our wards:

• Visits are arranged by an appointment system and must be booked in advance.
• Each patient can only have two named visitors during their admission. Each visit is subject to a maximum one-hour time slot per day.

Named visitors will be allowed to visit on the same day.

• Children will not be allowed to visit.
• Bookable Ward Visiting slots are between  10 – 4pm. You will be required to arrive at the Hospital entrance 30 mins before your booked slot. A member of ward staff will greet you at the door to perform a Lateral Flow Test and you will be required to wait outside until you are invited up onto the ward for your visiting slot. (if you have access to the Lateral flow devices, please bring with you to your visit for the test to be performed. If you do not have access to the Lateral flow device then we will look to supply on your visit)
• You will be required to wear PPE throughout the duration of your visit and remove this at the bedside before leaving.
• If you or a member of your household has any COVID-19 symptoms, or you have been in contact with anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks, you will not be allowed to visit. You will be asked questions in relation to this when booking a visit, as well as on your arrival at the ward.
• If you are in an extremely vulnerable group, you should seek advice from your GP prior to arranging a visit.
• All visitors will be asked to provide contact details so that we can comply with Test and Trace if required.

Please be advised that in order to maintain the safety of all our patients visiting would not be allowed if there was a suspected case of COVID 19 in the ward.

Whilst on hospital premises, all visitors must:

• Be met by a member of staff in the main reception and escorted to the ward
• Always wear a face mask or cover. *If you are not able to wear a mask for health reasons, we would ask you not to visit.
• Follow instructions for hand hygiene.
• Wear apron and gloves at the bedside and be advised on Public Health England’s safe procedure for putting on and taking off gloves and aprons.
• Only sit with the patient they are visiting. (Visitors will be advised to maintain social distancing throughout the visit.)
• Leave the ward after a maximum visit time of one hour
• Remember to wear your mask until you leave the hospital.

Belongings and gifts:

Please only bring in essential belongings.  

Essential items include:

• Clothes
• Toiletries
• Mobile phone/iPad
• Food items must be individually wrapped and in wipeable packaging.

Ward telephone numbers:

St Peters ward:      01621 725300

Key Links and Resources

The five CCG’s in Mid and South Essex have developed a resource page to help parents, young people and children navigate through information and resources concerning the Coronavirus. The resources cover a range of topics on the virus as well as the different regulations and guidance brought in to reduce the spread of the virus in our communities. You can view each CCG resources page: Thurrock CCG, Basildon, and Brentwood CCG, Southend CCG, Rochford, and Castlepoint CCG, and Mid Essex CCG.

Essex Children Family Wellbeing Service - COVID-19 pandemic resource hub for families, children, and young people

Essex Wellbeing Service - Service to support the most vulnerable in the community during the Coronavirus outbreak

NHS Supporting your recovery after COVID-19 - Information for family, friends, and carers of people affected by COVID-19

Important information to keep you safe while isolating at home - Information about styaing safe while isolating at home