Guidance for attending for your research appointment v2

Guidance for Attending Your Research Appointment

COVID-19 Related Help and Guidance

Research and Development Service

Attending for your appointment

We are aware that these are very challenging times for everyone due to the COVID-19 epidemic with the additional new guidance that everyone has to follow. 

We are also aware that being asked to attend a hospital can also be very challenging for many people.

We hope that this leaflet will help to reassure you that many measures are in place to help to protect you. 

We are trying to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe when you have your appointment with your research doctor and/or nurse.

We have been guided by Patient and Public Involvement in Research members and have asked for their advice in giving help with potential concerns and how we can address these. 

The following sections cover aspects that we hope will give you reassurance when you come to the hospital for your appointment.

Getting to the hospital

If you are travelling by car the hospital car parks charge for parking. As you drive into the hospital site, please take your ticket from the machine which you will need to take to the Pay Station before leaving the hospital site.  Please check with your research nurse if you are eligible to claim travel expenses. 

Checking if you will be able to attend

The research team plan to telephone you on the day before your appointment.  This will be to check that you are well and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. 

You will be asked if you have a new continuous cough, a high temperature 

or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell.

If you do have any symptoms, advice will be given and the appointment will be deferred until you are well enough to attend.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

PPE in the form of a face mask needs to be worn by yourself and your doctor/nurse at the hospital at all times

Please attend wearing a face covering if possible. If you do not have a face covering, please use the main entrance of the hospital, where face masks and hand sanitiser gel will be available. Your research nurse will wear additional PPE such as gloves and/or aprons as required.

Arriving for your appointment

When agreeing your appointment date and time with your research team, the location for your appointment will have also been discussed with you. 

Please enter the hospital through the main entrance (or the entrance discussed with you) and make your way directly to the area where you have been asked to attend. Your research nurse should be awaiting your arrival.

You will be asked if you are feeling well and if you have any COVID-19 symptoms and your temperature will be taken. If you have symptoms, you will be asked to go home immediately and further advisory information will be given. 

Every effort will be made to keep to your appointment time, but waiting areas which follow social distancing guidelines will be available.  Designated toilets, hand washing and sanitiser gel stations will also be accessible.

During your appointment

Should you need a physical examination or blood samples taken, your research nurse will use the required PPE and follow all the safety guidance. 

All equipment used including seating will be cleaned thoroughly before and after use. 

You may be asked for your signature or to fill in questionnaires during your visit and it would be advisable to bring your own pen. 

If you need to borrow a pen, these will be cleaned after use, as will any clip boards or iPads used.

Following your appointment

Please wash your hands or use the sanitiser gel as you leave the treatment areas. We would ask you to continue to wear your face covering until you have left the hospital site. 

Acknowledgements

The Research and Development team would like to thank the WWL Patient and Public Involvement Group in Research for their help and advice with this leaflet. 

Research and Development

T.   01942 258229

E.   researchadmin@wwl.nhs.uk
W:  www.wwl.nhs.uk