Isolation period for Southampton patients

Patients in Jersey requiring treatment at Southampton Hospital will need to isolate for 7 days prior to travelling to the UK from Monday, 15 June.

The Infection Prevention team at University Hospital Southampton have confirmed that the patient isolation period is necessary to protect both the staff and other patients receiving care to minimise the risk in spreading Covid-19.

Patients travelling to Southampton Hospital from 15 June will need to:

• Self-isolate at home for seven days 
• Receive a PCR Covid-19 test 72 hours prior to travelling

For emergency admissions, PCR Covid-19 tests will still be administered but will not delay the patient’s transfer.

On returning to Jersey, patients will need to follow Government of Jersey guidelines including airport testing and further self-isolation – which is currently a 14-day period. People living in the patient’s household do not need to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms.

Patients with follow-up clinics in Southampton will need to adhere to the same process again, although some clinics may be offered by video to avoid the need to travel.

Robert Sainsbury, Group Managing Director for Health and Community Services, said: "On average there are over 600 referrals to Southampton per year and over 2,000 appointments for Islanders to receive further treatment. A seven-day isolation period has been deemed necessary by the Infection Prevention team based in Southampton and this precautionary measure is aimed at patient safety and helping to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading."

Jersey General Hospital patients travel to Southampton to receive treatment in areas such as Paediatrics, Oncology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, General surgery, Trauma and Orthopedics.

For more information, Islanders are advised to speak to their GPs about their treatment plans and how to prepare for self-isolation as well as receiving a PCR test.