Covid-19 information

Please note: The health and safety of our patients is central to everything we do. As of January 2022, all Covid safety measures introduced at our hospital in 2020 will remain in place.  Our safety measures help protect our staff and patients while enabling us to deliver exceptional healthcare across our hospital.

What is my risk of getting COVID-19 while in the hospital?
It is currently not possible to entirely eliminate the risk of catching COVID-19 while you are in the hospital. However, we are taking every possible measure to ensure our hospitals and clinics remain completely COVID free and to minimise your risk of infection. We have put in place the following measures to protect the health of our patients, our team and to prevent the spread of Covid-19:

Screening
To protect staff, patients and visitors from Covid-19, we have introduced screening for all patients and visitors to our facilities. All patients who are attending an appointment or coming in for treatment will undergo screening. Any visitors to our facilities will also be screened before they can enter. This includes all business partners and suppliers.

Hand hygiene
Maintaining good hand hygiene is essential to reduce the transmission of infection in health care settings. Please make sure to use hand sanitiser or hand wash as you enter the building. Please also ensure that you practice good hand hygiene while you are at The Edinburgh Clinic.

Respiratory hygiene
Patients, staff and visitors are encouraged to minimise potential COVID-19 transmission through good respiratory hygiene measures. Please use disposable, single-use tissues to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing, coughing, wiping or blowing your nose. Dispose of any used tissues promptly in the nearest waste bin. Please remember to keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and nose.

Social distancing and Queuing
We have implemented social distancing measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 and we ask everyone to please follow these at all times. You will notice signage and markings to help with guiding you around our facilities and showing you where to stand and queue. Please help us to help you by following the directions in place. If you are unsure where you should walk or stand, our staff will be happy to help you.

Hospital cleanliness
Please be assured that The Edinburgh Clinic is cleaned professionally in line with government guidance to prevent the spread of Covid-19. All patient rooms are thoroughly cleaned each day and between patients.

Advice for visitors of patients
In order to support social distancing, we are asking all non-essential patient visitors not to come to The Edinburgh Clinic.

We are also asking patients who are attending Outpatient Departments not to bring family members or friends with them unless they are directly involved in your care.

There are exceptional circumstances when we are able to allow visitors to our sites, for example if your carer needs to accompany you. These visits can be arranged in advance by contacting our team.

Virtual consultations
We have introduced virtual appointments for patients to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This means that some interactions with our team might take place online or by telephone, rather than face to face. Please ask us if any of your appointments or pre-operative assessment will take place virtually.

Patients undergoing procedures
Before you are admitted to the hospital or clinic we will ask you to take some precautions to reduce any risks of COVID-19. These are explained in more detail below:

• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 please do not come to the hospital or clinic for any consultation, treatment or procedure. Please telephone us as soon as possible and speak to a member of staff.
• If you have had COVID it is recommended that there is a gap of seven weeks before you have your operation. Please tell either your Consultant or the hospital if you have had COVID recently or you develop COVID before you are admitted.
• Prior to admission we will ask you to take part in a health screening questionnaire to identify any symptoms of COVID-19. If you are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, we will reschedule your procedure, for your own safety. Currently only life-saving or urgent surgery should take place, in patients with either confirmed or suspected COVID.
• There must be a minimum of 14 days between your booster vaccination and your date of surgery. If you have recently had your booster, please make sure to tell your consultant.
• We will ask you to undertake comprehensive social distancing and strict hand hygiene for the 14 days before you come into hospital.
• If you are having a general anaesthetic or sedation we will ask you to complete a PCR test prior to surgery.  You will need to self-isolate at home for the next three days until you are admitted to the hospital.
• Your consultant will advise you on steps you can take yourself to prepare for surgery and minimise the risk of complications from your operation. These can improve the outcomes of your operation and reduce your recovery time.

Thank you for choosing The Edinburgh Clinic and for following these new health measures which are designed to help us keep you safe.

Please read our leaflet: Coming into Hospital for Consultations, Intervention and Treatment  to learn more about how we are working to keep you safe.

Watch the video below to find out about some of the additional measures you can expect at The Edinburgh Clinic and all Aspen Healthcare facilities to keep you safe while in hospital.

More information

As the situation with Covid-19 continues to develop we will be ensuring this Covid-19 information page is kept up-to-date with the latest advice for patients, consultants and staff. If you have any questions or worries about coming into hospital, please don’t hesitate to contact our team who will be happy to help.

Past last updated: 8/2/2022