Coronavirus advice - paediatrics

Coronavirus advice

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. Information about Coronavirus changes often, but you can check the GOV.UK website for up to the minute advice.

We understand that you might be worried about coronavirus – also known as COVID-19 – particularly if your child has a long-term health condition. If you are worried your child is unwell and need help first go online to 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 and follow the guidance from here.

In particular you should use the 111 online or telephone service if:

• you are not sure if you should stay at home or not
• you feel you cannot cope with your child’s symptoms at home
• your child’s condition gets worse
• your child’s symptoms do not get better after seven days

In an emergency call 999.

Most children can stay at home if they have mild coronavirus symptoms including fever, cough and loss of taste or smell 

Read advice about staying at home.

Q: My child has a long-term health condition, what should I do?

Children with long-term health conditions do not tend to develop severe symptoms from the coronavirus, unlike in adults. Carers and parents of children with long-term health conditions will find valuable information on the WellChild website. If your child is well known to the hospital and has a Hereford Open Access passport then you can contact the hospital in accordance with the instructions in you open access passport.

Q: My child has an upcoming outpatient appointment, should I come to hospital or not?

In the current situation, we are working hard to ensure we are able to deliver care to those patients who most need our help. Some children may have appointments deferred to later in the year or a telephone clinic arranged to replace the hospital visit. If there is a change to your appointment or admission, you will be contacted directly. 

Q: I have been told to come to hospital – what should I do

The hospital may be very busy over the coming months so visit the hospital if you are advised to by 111 or in a real emergency by calling 999.  If you are coming to the hospital, we ask only one carer accompanies each child because we are strictly limiting the numbers of people on the children’s ward by limiting the numbers of carers and visitors to the ward we can better to protect children, staff and carers alike. Unfortunately siblings will not be able to visit.