Coronavirus: Worthing hospital releases statement after worker tests positive for coronavirus

Worthing Hospital has said that all of its services remain open and patients with appointments should attend as normal.

Staff at the West Sussex hospital received a memo on Tuesday telling them a member of staff working in the A&E department had been diagnosed with coronavirus, one of eight people in the UK to test positive for the disease.

Dr George Findley, Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive, Western Sussex Hospitals, said: ‘All services at Worthing Hospital, including our emergency department, remain open. Patients with planned appointments and surgery should also attend as normal.

‘As soon as it was confirmed that a healthcare worker from our A&E department was one of the eight confirmed Coronavirus cases, Public Health England immediately began contacting all patients and staff who came into close contact with them.

‘They are now being advised on the precautions they need to take.

‘It’s important to stress that if you do need emergency care, our experienced and skilled staff are here for you. But we are asking people to help minimise pressure on A&E services by using alternative options for treatment of non-emergency conditions wherever possible.

‘I am hugely proud of everyone working across our hospitals today and every day to provide the highest standards of care for all our patients.’

It is understood the healthcare worker at Worthing Hospital is not the same person as the locum doctor working in Brighton, who is also one of the eight cases.