Our services are open and safe to attend. If you've been invited for an appointment, it's important that you still come in.
Our aim is to continue providing your dialysis and to keep you, our patients and staff safe. It is important that we work together to do this.
Dialysis patients have been designated clinically extremely vulnerable. You should minimise contact with others outside your household or support bubble and follow national advice around wearing face coverings and hand washing.
Please visit the government website for guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
If you feel unwell at home
Please do not come to the dialysis unit if you feel unwell. If you experience either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, please phone your dialysis unit for advice, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, please phone Patience Ward on 020 7188 8838 for advice. If you use the patient transport service you will be contacted before your appointment to check that you are well enough to travel.
If you feel unwell on arrival to the dialysis unit
Please inform staff immediately if you feel unwell so we can assess you and plan your care appropriately. The assessment will be done in isolation (in a side room) and you may need to be dialysed in a side room on that occasion. If you feel well enough you will be able to go home after dialysis. If you feel very unwell you will need to be admitted to hospital.
Frequently asked questions
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Planned procedures
We are increasing our ability to carry out planned procedures / surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’. If you are waiting for a procedure you may be contacted about an appointment date. If you do receive an appointment for a procedure, please let your dialysis team know as soon as possible so that any appropriate precautions such as swab testing and household isolation can be put in place.
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If you contract coronavirus
If you contract coronavirus and you are experiencing minor symptoms your dialysis care will be done in isolation. This is so that we can care for you and other patients safely. If you are unwell we will arrange for you to be admitted to hospital where your dialysis will be provided at the bedside.
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Patient transport
If you currently use patient transport, this will continue. However if you test positive or are suspected of having coronavirus, your transport will be provided by BEARS – our specialist high dependency transport service.
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Managing your anxiety
We realise that this is a difficult and worrying time for kidney patients. Visit the Kidney Care UK website for advice and support and the NHS website for more information about coronavirus (COVID-19). You may also find it helpful to read or download our leaflet 'Looking after your wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic' (PDF 360Kb).