A number of changes are being made at Noble's Hospital amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Government says it's to ensure the facility is ready to deal with cases of Covid-19, while greater use is to be made of Ramsey Cottage Hospital.
All elective operations are to stop at Noble’s to free-up space - patients whose admissions are cancelled are being advised directly by the hospital today.
However, Cancer surgery and urgent operations will continue as planned.
Meanwhile, Patients in wards 1 and 2, are being transferred to other wards, freeing 40 bed spaces for Covid-19 patients who need hospital care.
Outpatient appointments scheduled to take place in the coming weeks will be reviewed and patients contacted to confirm if their appointment will go ahead.
The Emergency Department is being expanded to provide a separate area to deal with suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Patients reporting to Noble’s with symptoms will be signposted to the new assessment area and will be seen by a clinician who will decide whether they can go home, need to self-isolate or require admission.
Meanwhile, Ramsey Cottage Hospital will become the receiving centre for all patients with minor injuries from 8am tomorrow - Serious injuries will continue to be dealt with at Noble’s Hospital ED.
Visiting has been severely restricted at Noble’s to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus, only immediate family who need to visit for critical reasons will be permitted and will require permission from the nurse in charge of the ward before entering.
It is suggested that friends and family keep in touch with patients via phone or video call.
Finally, the Thie Bee coffee shop in reception is to close from tonight until further notice.
