FAQs

Symptoms to look out for are:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
• loss of / change in smell or taste

If you have any of those symptoms you should:

• self-isolate as per current NHS guidance
• not visit the hospital until your self-isolation has finished

If anyone in your household has these symptoms, then you should:

• self-isolate as per current NHS guidance

In line with RCPCH guidance (which you can read here), all patients being admitted to Alder Hey for elective surgery or admissions will have a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of admission. Any patient still in hospital after 5 days will be re-tested. More information on this can be found at https://alderhey.nhs.uk/covid-19-testing-process

In order to protect patients, staff and the public we have introduced new visiting arrangements. We want to maintain contact and support between patients and their families and carers, whilst ensuring that we take measures that prevent the spread of the infection. These measures reduce the possibility of the virus inadvertently being brought into the hospital and help to keep vulnerable children safe.

For our latest visiting guidelines, please click here.

There are a number of actions you can take including:

• Wear a face mask when indoors or likely to be in close proximity to others
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If someone in the household is unwell with possible coronavirus symptoms, please follow the NHS guidelines regarding self-isolation.

If everyone in the household is well, the government advises adherence to social distancing measures more stringently, depending on the health condition.

Unless you are told otherwise, please attend your clinic appointment. However, if you have a new continuous cough in the last 7 days, loss of / change in smell or taste or fever in the last 2 days, you should not attend, but need to self-isolate.

The NHS 111 have a website which you can use to find help and advice: go to 111.nhs.uk.

No, if you have a new continuous cough in the last 7 days, loss of / change in smell or taste or fever in the last 2 days, you should not attend, but need to self-isolate.

Before your visit, please call 0151 228 4811 and contact your department. We will try to minimise contact with others while attending.

Go to the NHS 111 website.

You can check the latest advice for children with Congenital Heart Disease, and other cardiac conditions, by clicking here.

Click the below links to find out more about each service:

• EDYS – information for service users
• Sefton CAMHS – information for service users
• Liverpool Fresh CAMHS – information for service users

CAMHS at Alder Hey – Key contacts

CAMHS useful websites and apps

No one truly knows the answer to this question. Researchers and scientists are working hard to find a vaccine for the virus. By practising the measures put in place by the government, such as good handwashing and social distancing, we can help reduce the length of disruption to our lives.

On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) China office heard the first reports of a previously-unknown virus behind a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in Eastern China with a population of over 11 million.

What started as an epidemic mainly limited to China has now become a truly global pandemic.

Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.

We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.

The World Health Organisation advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus.

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick. This virus is particularly contagious, especially as there is no vaccine as of yet.

Shielding is a practice used to protect extremely vulnerable people from coming into contact with coronavirus.

At risk families have been sent a latter advising them to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks from the day they receive their letter.Please note that this period of time could change. Provisions have been made for visits from people who provide essential support to them, such as healthcare and personal support, to continue. A helpline has also been put in place for families worried about the care of their child at Alder Hey.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to your care at Alder Hey and your appointment has been postponed, please contact our hotline Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and weekends 9am to 3pm. 

Telephone number: 0151 282 4907
Email address: covidinfo@alderhey.nhs.uk