In response to combatting the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19), Papworth Trust has set up a dedicated working group to prepare for every scenario. Whilst we don’t want to overreact, we certainly want to be prepared and ready to take further steps if needed. We will do everything possible to protect our customers and staff and minimise the risk of disruption to services.

We would like to reassure all customers and their support networks that at this time there is no advice to prevent our services running. We are ensuring infection control measures are in place across our services and workplaces, which are appropriate and based on advice from Public Health England

The current advice is that the best way to prevent the spread of infection is through undertaking personal hygiene practices that everyone can follow. For example:

• Washing your hands often - with soap and water – for 20 seconds.
• Washing your hands before you leave home, when you arrive at your services or work, after going to the toilet, before eating any food, before leaving your services or work and when you arrive home.
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin (catch it, bin it, kill it)

We are reminding customers and staff that good hygiene and handwashing is still the most effective way of reducing risk and urging them to follow our information posters that have been put up in all services and offices.

There are a number of Countries that have a higher risk of Coronavirus (updated daily on the Public Health England website). We are asking any customers and staff who have returned from these specific locations to not come into work or attend services but to call NHS 111 for advice about self-isolation.

We are operating ‘business as usual’ at the Trust and the expectation at the moment is that services will continue to run as normal. We are monitoring the situation closely, have made plans to act quickly if the situation changes and will provide further updates as necessary. In the mean-time if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your local service manager.

Helena Harris, Director of Operations, Papworth Trust.