Below is an update received this afternoon (Friday, March 13th) from the National Coagulation Centre.
Out -patient clinics at the NCC have been suspended.
All patients with pending appointments will have their chart reviewed, and those identified as having any active issues will be contacted and reviewed by phone. Those who are assessed as needing a face-to-face review will be offered an immediate appointment to attend the NCC. Those who do not have active issues will have their routine appointment rescheduled for a later date. All patients due to attend the Wednesday clinics will have a phone review instead. All those with pending appointments will be contacted prior to their scheduled appointment to let them know if their appointment has been rescheduled or if to expect a phone review.
The walk-in service will continue to operate as previously.
Notice to patients registered with the National Coagulation Centre (NCC)
Version 1.0 13th March 2020
This notice applies to you if you attend the NCC outpatient clinic, dental clinic, H&H assessment unit (HHAU), Warfarin or DOAC clinics
The NCC clinical team have been monitoring the evolving situation regarding the novel Coronavirus and are following the guidance of the HSE (www.HSE.ie) and the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre (www.hpsc.ie).
If you feel unwell with one or more of these symptoms:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Flu like symptoms
OR
Have been in an area with presumed community transmission of COVID-19
OR
Had contact with a case of COVID-19
OR
Worked in or attended a healthcare facility where patients with COVID-19 were being treated
• You should contact your General Practitioner for advice
• Do not come to your scheduled appointment at the NCC or HHAU
• Phone the NCC and we will re-schedule your appointments
• If you are attending the Warfarin clinic and need advice on INR testing and Warfarin dosing
o Do not come to your appointment at the warfarin clinic
o Phone the warfarin clinic (01 4284403) and you will get advice regarding warfarin dosing
The following arrangements apply until further notice
Out-patient clinics:
To reduce the number of people who have to attend the NCC and St James’s Hospital, all NCC clinics, apart from the warfarin clinic, have been deferred until further notice. Routine clinic appointments will be rescheduled for a later date.
Where necessary, patients will be reviewed by phone by a member of the clinical team. Patients with pending appointments will be contacted by phone to inform them if their appointment has been rescheduled, or if they should expect a phone review.
If on the telephone, it is found that you need to be seen or to have a blood test taken, we will give you an appointment time to attend.
Dental clinic:
The dental clinic will provide an urgent service only – please contact the NCC on the usual number (see below) to speak with a nurse if you have an urgent dental problem.
If your routine dental clinic visit is deferred, we will tell you as soon as possible when we are going to re-schedule your visit.
H&H assessment unit HAS MOVED TO THE NCC LOCATION FROM 12TH MARCH 2020:
Non-urgent attendances for treatment are deferred until further notice.
People who need urgent care can contact the NCC on the usual number 4162141/2142 and we will give you an appointment time to attend.
People who have an appointment in the next week for treatment before a planned procedure, which is going ahead, can attend the NCC as planned.
People who have a scheduled switch to Hemlibra should attend as planned.
If your routine HHAU visit is deferred, we will tell you as soon as possible when we are going to re-schedule your visit.
Clinical trial patients:
People enrolled on clinical trials should attend their scheduled appointments as planned.
Warfarin or DOAC clinics:
The warfarin clinics are proceeding as planned.
DOAC clinics are suspended for the moment, until further notice. If patients who are on DOACs and have any concerns regarding their treatment, can contact the Anticoagulation clinic on the numbers given below or can contact their GP.
Accompanying Family members:
If a family member accompanies you to the clinic visit, they will be asked to drop you off and will be phoned when it is time to collect you. We will ask family members not to stay with you unless absolutely necessary.
NCC Contact numbers
NCC Opening Hours 08.30-17.00, Monday to Friday
Ph: 01 410 3129/410 3130/416 2141
Patients who need advice from a nurse, please phone the Assessment Unit directly.
Patients with a bleed who need to speak to a nurse urgently, please contact Switch on 01 410 3000 and ask for pager 721.
Out of Hours Service: after 17.00 or at Weekends and Bank Holidays
Contact St James\’s Hospital via the main switchboard on 01 410 3000 and ask for the Haematology SHO on-call.
Anticoagulation Clinic and Self Testing Monitoring
Ph: 01 428 4403 (Nursing)
Ph: 01 416 2637 (Appointments)
NCC Appointment Office
Ph: 01 416 2142
Email: ncc@stjames.ie