The following FAQs provide up-to-date information on coronavirus.
Coronavirus FAQs
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- A new, persistent cough that causes frequent bouts of coughing throughout the day and night
- A high temperature of 37.8 degrees or above (hot to touch on chest/back)
- A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
Adults
Use the 111 online coronavirus service. The 111 online coronavirus service will ask about your symptoms and tell you what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
For life threatening emergencies call 999 for an ambulance.
Babies and Children
Call 111 if you’re worried about a baby or child.
If they seem very unwell, are getting worse, or you think there’s something seriously wrong, call 999.
Do not delay getting help if you’re worried. Trust your instincts.
Get more advice about coronavirus in children.
MOST visiting has been suspended. The only exceptions are:
- for those receiving end-of-life care
- one adult may visit a child
- one birthing partner can accompany women in labour
- Friends or family members wishing to visit an inpatient who has been in hospital for over 21 days. Each patient will have one allocated visitor who can visit for one hour twice a week. Wards will contact relatives directly to organise these visits.
We have set up a new telephone information line for relatives concerned about inpatients. Please call 01274 272747, from 10:15am to 5:30pm (including bank holidays).
Click here for more information and videos in English and Urdu about the relatives’ telephone information line.
The number for relatives to call is: 01274 272747. Lines are open from 10:15am to 5:30pm, seven days a week (including bank holidays).
Relatives are being asked to nominate one family member to ring once a day for an update and to share this information within their family.
If you are ringing up for an update on a relative in ICU, you are asked to contact the ICU ward via switchboard.
Click here for more information and videos in English and Urdu about the relatives’ telephone information line.
All the different ways to keep in touch are listed on this poster and there is more information in this video.
The following entrances are open to the public. However, access will only be granted to patients attending pre-arranged appointments or those visitors outlined in the visiting section above:
- BRI: A&E main entrance (24/7).
- Accessible entrance (Smith Lane) (24/7).
- Women’s and Newborn Unit: the emergency door at the rear.
- St Luke’s Hospital: the Horton Wing front entrance.
All the staff you meet will be wearing protective clothing, including masks. This is to keep you safe and to keep them safe.
Parking during the coronavirus pandemic at both Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital is free of charge for both staff and visitors. Visitors are asked to use the Pay and Display car parks and there will be no charge. As usual, please avoid disabled bays unless you have a permit to park there.
If you had a test while you were in hospital and have since been discharged we will either phone or write to you with your result.
Government advice on eligibility for testing can be found here.
GP practices, pharmacies and A&E are all open to provide care for anyone who needs it.
If you are already under the care of one of our services you can contact that service directly for advice.
If you are unsure what to do, ring 111 for advice.
Yes. A&E Consultant Shafi Khan has recorded a video message in English and Urdu confirming that A&E continues to provide care to patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He explains the importance of attending A&E if people experience chest pain, stomach pains, broken bones, symptoms of a stroke, or any other condition that they would usually attend A&E for. Bradford is here to keep all our patients safe and healthy. Watch the videos here.
To find out what to expect when you arrive at A&E, watch this video from one of our A&E nurses.
At present we are not accepting new routine referrals. GPs have been advised that we are not accepting them. However, we are continuing to encourage urgent and two-week wait referrals as normal.
All routine operations have been postponed during the coronavirus outbreak. We will be in touch when we are in a position to re-open these services.
If you still need an appointment, this will now be by telephone or video. You will receive a text message a week or so before your appointment to confirm this, and a telephone call two days before to make arrangements.
Many of these services are still running. Please contact the service you normally use for more information. Appointments may now be by telephone or video rather than face to face.
More information about our women’s and newborn unit is available here, and includes up to date information about COVID-19. There are videos in English and Urdu with specific advice for pregnant women.
You should seek advice if you think your baby is moving less. This site provides useful information.