Frequently asked questions about coronavirus

HMC is well-prepared for developments relating to the new coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19). Strict protocols are in place and we have decided to implement strict prevention measures. These measures are often put into practice for patients infected with a contagious bacteria or virus, so our employees are fully aware of exactly what to do in order to avoid infecting others. These measures help us to optimally protect patients, visitors and employees against infection.

For example, patients are always asked whether they have a fever and/or respiratory complaints, such as coughing, a sore throat, shortness of breath, headaches or a cold, and if so, the doctor will take appropriate measures to prevent infection of others. Furthermore, all patients admitted with any respiratory complaints will be tested for coronavirus.

HMC is currently making efforts to cancel as many appointments for non-emergency healthcare as possible, in order to limit the number of people entering the hospital and to free up space and staff to treat people with suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus.
If they have any doubts, patients with an appointment at the hospital can contact the department in question by phone on 088 979 79 00.

A team of experts is closely monitoring the situation every day, We have a sufficient supply of protective materials and can make extra beds available if required.
With your help, we can make sure we are optimally prepared to care for you!

From 13 March, we will be minimising the number of visitors to HMC, to protect patients and staff from contracting the new coronavirus. Among other measures, this means that:

• Inpatients can have a maximum of two visitors per day.
• Patients to the outpatient department and A&E may only be accompanied by one person at most.
• All information meetings for patients at HMC have been cancelled.
• In order to avoid difficult situations, we kindly request that everybody carefully coordinates the permitted visits with all of the patients' loved ones.

Do you have an appointment? If so, contact the department in question by phone on 088 979 79 00.

We are cancelling as many appointments for non-emergency healthcare as possible to limit the number of people entering the hospital and to free up space and staff to treat people with suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Are you coming to visit a patient? From 13 March, we will be minimising the number of visitors to HMC to protect patients and staff from contracting the new coronavirus. Among other measures, this means that:

• Inpatients are allowed a maximum of two visitors per day.
• Patients and visitors to the outpatient department/A&E may only be accompanied by one person at most.
• All information meetings for patients at HMC have been cancelled.

In order to avoid difficult situations, we kindly request that everybody carefully coordinates the permitted visits with all of the patients' loved ones.

HMC is making efforts to cancel as many appointments for non-emergency healthcare as possible, to limit the number of people entering the hospital and to free up space and staff to treat people with suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus. This means the following:

• We will call to cancel all appointments for non-emergency healthcare. This measure will mainly affect outpatient appointments and non-emergency medical procedures.
• Whenever possible, we will not require patients to come to hospital for results or repeat prescriptions. We will contact patients by phone to the greatest extent possible.
• Diagnostic testing such as laboratory tests or radiological procedures will be restricted to emergency cases only.
• The hospital will remain accessible 24/7 for emergency cases.
• From 13 March, we will be minimising the number of visitors to HMC to protect patients and staff from contracting the new coronavirus. Among other measures, this means that:
• Inpatients are allowed a maximum of two visitors per day.
• Patients and visitors to the outpatient department/A&E may only be accompanied by one person at most.
• All information meetings for patients at HMC have been cancelled.

In order to avoid difficult situations, we kindly request that everybody carefully coordinates the permitted visits with all of the patients' loved ones.

No, do not come to hospital. Instead, phone your GP or your local Municipal Health Service (GGD). If you have any doubts, you can contact the department with which you have an appointment by phone on 088 979 79 00.

We will call to cancel all appointments for non-emergency healthcare. This measure will mainly affect outpatient appointments and non-emergency medical procedures. Whenever possible, we will not require patients to come to hospital for results or repeat prescriptions. An appointment at the hospital will be replaced by a telephone consultation, provided this is possible.

Diagnostic testing such as laboratory tests or radiological procedures will also be restricted to emergency cases only.

The hospital will remain accessible 24/7 for emergency cases.

No, there's no reason to worry. Any staff with flu-like symptoms are not permitted to come to work.

From 19 March, we will be minimising the number of visitors to HMC to protect patients and staff from contracting the new coronavirus. Inpatients are allowed a maximum of 1 visitor per day. Patients and visitors to the outpatient department/A&E may only be accompanied by one person at most. In order to avoid difficult situations, we kindly request that everybody carefully coordinates the permitted visits with all of the patients' loved ones.

No, there's no reason to worry. We are monitoring the situation extremely closely.

The patients admitted to HMC Westeinde with COVID-19 were immediately placed in isolation to ensure that patients and staff at HMC are protected against further spread of the virus.

The HMC staff members with COVID-19 are in self-isolation at home.

Strict protocols are in place and we have decided to implement strict prevention measures. These measures are often put into practice for patients infected with a contagious bacteria or virus, so our employees are fully aware of exactly what to do in order to avoid infecting others. These measures help us to optimally protect patients, visitors and employees against infection.

The patients are placed in isolation to ensure that patients and staff at HMC are protected against further spread of the virus. Via our live blog (in Dutch), we provide up-to-date information about the latest circumstances.

If patients report to the hospital with respiratory complaints, they will be placed in strict isolation and tested, regardless of whether or not they are from an at-risk area. We have a sufficient supply of protective materials and can make extra beds available if required.
Our team of medical specialists in the field of infectious diseases is continually monitoring the situation. We were well-prepared for the developments concerning coronavirus and we took into account the possibility of patients reporting to HMC who are or are suspected to be infected with COVID-19. Strict protocols are in place and we have decided to implement strict prevention measures. These measures help us to optimally protect patients, visitors and employees against infection.

No, Pregnant women are no more or less likely to become infected with the virus than non-pregnant women. In the event that they are infected, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) states that the course of the illness is the same and there is no elevated risk of a miscarriage or birth defects.

Our information meetings on pregnancy and childbirth have been provisionally cancelled and we are currently working on alternatives. Have you registered for the meetings via the e-mail address patvoor@haaglandenmc.nl? If so, you will automatically be informed once alternatives have been arranged.

If you have not yet registered but would like to attend, send an e-mail to patvoor@haaglandenmc.nl

We will let you know once alternative arrangements have been made.

Deliveries in HMC to continue

Deliveries in HMC are currently continuing as normal. In order to ensure the necessary care and minimise the spread of the virus, however, the obstetrics department has taken additional measures. Have you just given birth in HMC, or are you going to give birth soon? We have listed the most important information for you below. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Before the delivery

• All necessary checks for pregnant women at the outpatient clinic will continue.
• As a pregnant woman, you may be placed in a room with other patients. This is not our usual policy, but unfortunately, we are now forced to do so. The rooms are spacious enough and there is sufficient distance between the beds.
• What if you are coming to the hospital and you or anyone in your immediate vicinity have any symptoms such as coughing, a cold, fever or sore throat? Always notify us of this fact, even in cases of doubt. You can do so by phone at 088 9792104. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that you have a great responsibility in this regard. This is in the interest of your own health and that of other patients and employees.
• Strict visiting rules apply. When you come to the hospital, you may bring one person to accompany you. If this person has symptoms (see above), they cannot accompany you. When you are going to give birth, the following rules apply.

Deliveries

• Deliveries in HMC will continue as normal. There are sufficient delivery rooms to ensure that all pregnant women can give birth under the supervision of healthcare professionals. All our delivery rooms are single rooms.
• During the birth, a maximum of one person may be present to accompany you. If this person has symptoms (see above), strict isolation measures apply to you, the person accompanying you and our employees. It is therefore extremely important that you notify us of this fact. You can do so by phone at 088 9792104. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that you have a great responsibility in this regard, in the interest of your own health and that of other patients and employees. Unfortunately, this means it will not be possible to come to the hospital with both your partner and your doula, for example.

After the delivery

• As a new mother, you may end up in a room with other patients. This is not our usual policy, but unfortunately, we are now forced to do so. The rooms are spacious enough and there is sufficient distance between the beds. Strict visiting rules apply. While you are staying in the hospital, you may designate one person to come and visit you. If this person has symptoms (see above), he or she will not be permitted to visit.
• This means that siblings are not permitted to visit.
• In order to avoid unpleasant situations, we would ask everyone to coordinate the permitted visit properly with all the close relatives.
• Paediatric ward
• If your baby is admitted to the paediatric ward, strict visiting measures will also apply.
• Only parental caregivers (up to two) are permitted to visit, one of whom can stay the night. For the time being, this means that visits by siblings are not permitted.

The above measures are in the interest of your own health, your baby's health and the health of our employees. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Do you have any urgent issues? If so, don't hesitate to call us (088 9792104). Based on your issue, we will advise you on the best course of action.

More information about the virus can be found on the website of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). If you would rather contact the RIVM by phone, you can call them on 0800-1351.

This telephone number is open every day from 8.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m.
Visit our live blog (in Dutch) to keep up with all the latest developments.