Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Last updated: 24 January 2025 at 15:07

• Ensure patient has one nominated person (next of kin) for staff to pass information on to where they are not able to keep friends/ relatives updated themselves.
• If a ward phone is ringing and admin staff are away from the desk please answer it. 
• Call nominated contact to advise of the whereabouts of their relative and give current update.
• Agree communication plan if required – e.g. daily call unless clinical position changes.

Ward daily communication

Patient can make their own calls

• Check phone charged and in reach
• Check patient is making calls home
• Support video calls if wished
• Staff provide updates on request
• Nominated contact may call for update

Patient cannot make own calls due to no phone

• Support via use of a ward phone
• Support use of bedside phones
  
  • NB: Bedside Hospedia phones
    are only free for outgoing
    calls – do not use for
    relatives to call in
• Support video calls if wished
• Staff provide updates on request
• Nominated contact may call for update

Patient cannot make own calls due to condition

• Agree communication plan
• Staff provide proactive updates
• Support video calls if wished
• Nominated contact may call for updates

For all patients, follow the usual process of notifying next of kin if condition changes, deteriorates or if there is an incident.