Sherwood Forest Hospitals, which runs Mansfield Community Hospital; King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton; and Newark Hospital ­— is launching a dedicated patient helpline for people with questions about their treatment and care after changes to appointments in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The helpline number for patients and their families with questions about appointments and operations is 01623 676069. The helpline will be open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Chief Nurse, Julie Hogg, said: “In line with social distancing guidance issued by the government, we are reducing all non-essential visits at this time. This means we are currently prioritising our cancer and clinically-urgent patients.

“We are in the process of contacting patients. If you have a routine appointment booked and have not heard from us, please assume we will telephone you on or around the time at which you were due to be seen in hospital, and we will carry out this consultation by phone.”

Helpline for cancer patients
To help cancer patients concerned about coronavirus, the trust has set up a dedicated helpline on 01623 622 515 ext 6499, which will be open Monday to Friday, from 9am-5pm.

The Welcome Treatment Centre has been moved from level 4 to Clinic 9, on the lower ground floor of the King’s Treatment Centre at King’s Mill Hospital.

Unless you have been called to advise otherwise, cancer patients are still encouraged to go to their cancer appointments as planned unless they have had symptoms of coronavirus (a new cough and/or a high temperature). No visitors can accompany patients on to the clinic or to stay with them during their treatment.

Visitors
No visitors are being allowed into any Sherwood Forest Hospitals sites. However, one parent may accompany a child patient, one birthing partner may attend the Maternity Department, and one carer is permitted in the Emergency Department, but must remain with the patient. Exceptions can be discussed with ward staff if a relative is in end of life care. Anyone attending with patients must not have been unwell in the last 72 hours.