Emergency Care: Don’t put it off
Please don’t put off seeking help in an emergency.
We understand that many people are worried about coming to NGH because of COVID.
We have established separate streams of care for patients who come to our emergency department so we can keep you safe.
Please seek help if you need it or call NHS 111.
Read more about COVID here.
Important information to keep you safe from COVID when attending the hospital for your appointment
This guidance is provided for your safety and the safety of our patients, visitors and staff at Northampton General Hospital. We would ask you to please follow this guidance to protect and respect.
- Wash or gel your hands regularly
- Reschedule your appointment if you have any symptoms of COVID
Mask wearing is no longer a requirement to routinely wear a face mask at the hospital, however:
- Anyone can wear a mask if they choose to do so
- Staff can request patients or visitors to wear a mask
- Patients can request staff wear a mask
We are also reminding our visitors to please not come to the hospital site if they have any symptoms of COVID, coughs colds, vomiting or diarrhoea, unless they need to access urgent medical care. We would also ask that anyone who has tested positive for COVID does not visit the hospital unless they need urgent medical care.
If visitors do come to the hospitals with any symptoms, they may be asked to leave. We know that it’s hard to not see loved ones, however video calls are still available at both sites. Please see further details on the hospital’s website.
Visitors to all areas must:
- Clean their hands
- Not attend the hospital to visit if they have any symptoms of COVID or test positive or have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting within the past 48 hours
Visiting on adult wards:
- Two visitors for each patient 11am-8pm
Visiting to Critical Care:
- Two visitors for each patient 1pm-7pm
Visiting to Talbot Butler:
- Two visitors for each patient 2-8pm, no children under 5 unless previously agreed by Ward Sister
Visiting on paediatric wards:
- 7am-8pm for parents (one can stay overnight with child) 2pm-8pm sibling and other visitors
Visiting on our neonatal ward:
- Parents 24 hours a day
- Two other adults and siblings 3pm-6pm
- Weekends, bank holidays and school holidays siblings 12-6pm
Visiting on maternity wards:
- Maternity Observation Ward – 1 birthing partner 10am-10pm no children
- Labour ward – 2 birthing partners during labour
- Robert Watson & Balmoral – 10am-10pm partner and own children, 12pm-7.30pm other visitors (no children under 16, unless patients own)
Emergency Department visiting:
- Where possible patients should not bring a visitor with them to the Emergency Department.
- Visiting will be permitted for those who need additional support from a visitor during their visit.
Supporting our patients and their loved ones: When patients come into hospital or change between wards and departments, our team will make sure they consider reasonable adjustments for those patients who have additional needs such as dementia, learning disabilities or autism.
These adjustments should be reviewed on an individual basis based on the needs of the patient at the time. If you have any concerns please speak to the ward or department manager.
If visitors have lateral flow tests available, we would always advise people to complete testing for their own safety and the safety of others.
Appointments via telephone or video call
We will continue to provide as many services as possible either virtually (through video and telephone contact), or off site.
If you are suitable for a virtual appointment you will be contacted to arrange a virtual option.