Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has put a series of emergency measures in place to limit the footfall on hospital sites in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Onsite appointments

Our hospital has had to adapt so that staff can continue to care for patients safely whilst the coronavirus remains a threat to everyone’s health. To gain access to the hospital for scheduled hospital appointments patients MUST bring proof with them, this can be an appointment letter, appointment email, or patient access code. Failure to provide such evidence to security staff on the door will result in access to the hospital being denied.

Unfortunately patients cannot also be accompanied to appointments unless with a carer. If someone is bringing a patient to the hospital, please drop them off outside or wait in the hospital car park until the appointment is finished. The shops, toilets and restaurant within the hospital remain inaccessible for those not attending the hospital for an appointment.

Please remember that face covering must be worn at all times whilst in the hospital unless exempt.

We thank you for your help and cooperation during these unprecedented times.

Telephone appointments

Patients with a routine Outpatient appointment should not attend either DVH or QMH unless invited to do so.  A lot of appointments are now being held with consultants over the telephone. Wherever possible, these telephone appointments will be at the same time and date as the original appointment.

Following the telephone call, if the consultant deems there to be an urgent need for a face-to-face consultation then an appointment on the hospital site will be arranged. Patients should only attend the hospital if they have a confirmed appointment, and will need to show current ID in order to be allowed on-site.

This change only affects routine Outpatient appointments; urgent appointments for any patients visiting Rapid Access Clinics or who have two-week wait cancer referral maybe face-to-face or via the phone.

All non-urgent face-to-face requirements will be monitored and rebooked when appropriate. With the exception of rapid access clinics and 2 weeks wait clinics, we will amend our capacity on the NHS e-Referral System so that we can triage and review all referrals effectively.

Routine diagnostic tests such as heart scans and endoscopies will be limited, with diagnostics prioritised based on clinical necessity. Access to the NHS online booking system for appointments will also be limited until further notice. The Trust will contact you if there are any changes to your appointment.

Prescriptions

If a prescription is required following a telephone appointment the clinician will either write to the patient’s GP or if it is new or urgent the clinician will send the prescription to the onsite pharmacy. Patients will be required to collect their medicine from the hospital. The pharmacy department will contact patients to arrange collection.

Outpatient services

We offer Outpatient services for a range of medical and surgical specialties.

Outpatient appointments take place in different departments as well as our main outpatient department across all of our sites. Our main outpatient departments are located:

  • Your outpatient appointment is booked by our Appointments Office.
  • The Appointments Office can be contacted on 01322 428350
  • Once your appointment has been booked, you will be sent a letter advising you of the day, time and clinic location and any special instructions that are necessary to prepare for your appointment.

Outpatients

We politely ask that only those requiring assistance with communication, and mobility, those with a named carer, children, vulnerable patients, and those that wish to be supported by a loved one bring one accompanying person. 

Children's Outpatients

Children attending Outpatient appointments and The Children's Resource Centre are to be accompanied by only 1 parent/guardian, where possible due to limited space. 

We advise that you bring some activities for your child to pass the time in the waiting area. Its important children remain seated and supervised at all times by their accompanying parent/guardian to maintain safety and social distancing. We ask that children and babies are not placed on the floor to play due to the risk of infection.