Reduced isolation time agreed

Friday 12 June 2020

Bailiwick residents needing to go to Southampton for in-patient hospital treatment have been told they only need to self isolate for seven days before travelling, as opposed to the 14-days previously stated.

Initially the two week self isolation period was set by Southampton Hospital itself, along with the 14-days self isolation needed when the patient, and anyone accompanying them returned to the Bailiwick.

That would have meant someone needing in-patient treatment in Southampton would have to commit to a month of self isolation. 

However, following further talks between Guernsey's Committee for Health and Social Care and hospital bosses in Southampton, a shorter period of self isolation before travelling to the UK has been agreed.

HSC have been in conversation with University Hospital Southampton about the need for Guernsey patients to self-isolate for 14 days before their appointment. It is now confirmed that the time required will be 7 days rather than 14 from Monday 15 June. HSC welcomes this change. pic.twitter.com/Ne7MmZ9K3x

— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) June 12, 2020

A spokesperson for HSC said:

"HSC have been in active dialogue with University Hospital Southampton as regards the need for Guernsey patients to self-isolate for 14 days before their University Hospital Southampton appointment. University Hospital Southampton have today confirmed that the time period required will be seven days rather than 14 from Monday the 15th June. HSC welcomes this change as patients prepare for their appointments with University Hospital Southampton."

Aside from those people travelling for in-patient appointments, anyone going to University Hospital Southampton for an outpatient appointment does not need to self-isolate before they go but they will need to self-isolate for 14-days when they get back.

All patients going to the UK for treatment at UHS - either as an in or out-patient - will have to be tested for covid-19 before they travel. The swab will be taken 48-hours before an appointment with the results sent electronically to UHS.

Any emergency patients will also be tested before being transferred to the UK, with those results being ready within an hour in urgent cases.

Pictured top: University Hospital Southampton.