Coronavirus guidance
The Covid-19 outbreak remains a challenging time, particularly for people with cancer and their families. You may feel worried about how the pandemic will affect you.
Latest guidance on coronavirus
We’re here to care for anyone living with cancer, or supporting someone else, as we get through this – together at every step.
Covid-19 restrictions have now been eased in England, meaning there are no legal limits on social contact.
However, face coverings are still recommended, particularly in busy indoor spaces, and if you return a positive Covid-19 test, you must still self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
All adults in the UK have now been offered at least two doses of Covid-19 vaccines, and government guidance is to get vaccinated as soon as you can.
If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you are eligible for a free NHS PCR test and follow the stay at home guidance until you receive your result.
Find out the latest advice on Covid-19 and staying safe here.
If you have been vaccinated
To help protect yourself and your friends, family, and community you should continue to follow guidance on staying safe, even if you’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The vaccines have been shown to reduce the likelihood of severe illness in most people. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so those who have received the vaccine should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection.
In addition, booster vaccine doses will be available on the NHS for people most at risk from COVID-19 who have already had two doses of a vaccine.
The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have one. Read the latest guidance on vaccines here.
If you still have questions about Covid-19 vaccines and cancer, we would recommend that you speak to your healthcare team for individual guidance.
Guidance on signs, symptoms and testing
You are eligible to a free NHS PCR test if you are experiencing at least one of the following:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- You’ve been asked to by a local council
- You’re taking part in a government pilot project
- You may need to get tested if you’re due to have surgery or a procedure.
You should also self-test using a lateral flow device (LFD) at least twice per week, even if you are not showing symptoms.
You can order a free pack of seven lateral flow tests via the NHS website here, or you can arrange to pick one up from your nearest pharmacy here.
Has my treatment or operation been postponed?
This is a challenge for so many cancer patients and their families and although Weston Park and many other cancer units never stopped treatments completely, some procedures were delayed, and some patients might have been delayed in starting a treatment.
It’s important you come for all your hospital treatments when you are asked to and your doctor will discuss your treatment at your appointment (face-to-face or telephone clinic) and you will be able to decide this together.
For more information or guidance, give our specialist healthcare professionals a call on 0114 553 3330.
Someone in my family is self-isolating or has symptoms, should I still attend my hospital appointment?
You and your family should follow government guidelines with regards to social isolation. If your appointment is due whilst you are self-isolating due to Covid-19 symptoms please contact the department that you would be attending for advice.
I’m worried about cancer, what should I do during the coronavirus outbreak?
If you’re worried that symptoms you’re experiencing could be cancer, you can call and speak to one of our healthcare professionals.
If appropriate, you will be advised to make an appointment with your GP, where services are running and your GP can decide how best to safely investigate your concerns.
Guidance on face coverings
Government guidance on face coverings has now changed. Face coverings are a personal choice in most indoor and outdoor settings.
However, we would still encourage you to wear a face covering in busy indoor settings, and they are still compulsory in all healthcare settings, unless you are exempt.
We have maintained hands, face, space in our premises – meaning that all visitors must wear a face covering when visiting our Charity Hub on Whitham Road, or Weston Park Cancer Support on Northumberland Road in Sheffield.
If you would like a face covering exemption card, call our specialist healthcare professionals on 0114 553 3330 for advice, or for full information about face masks visit the gov.uk website here.