CORONAVIRUS, COVID -19: NOTIFICATION TO BCRM PATIENTS
Background
A coronavirus is a type of virus whose potential transmission rate remains unknown.
As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world however novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.
This outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 to 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.
Typical symptoms include cough and fever that may progress to a pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Generally, people will suffer a flu like illness and recover. However coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Actions to avoid transmission
The virus is most likely to spread from person to person through:
- Direct contact with a person while they are infectious
- Contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- Touching objects or surfaces that are contaminated by the secretions of an infected person, and then touching your mouth
The health and wellbeing of our patients and staff is of obvious importance to BCRM and we are therefore asking patients and staff who:
- have symptoms of Coronavirus - cough –high temperature – shortness of breath
- have had contact with a person (within 2m) with symptoms of Coronavirus
- have had contact with a person (within 2m) with a confirmed diagnosis of Coronavirus
- have travelled from or have been in transit through countries and areas where there is a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus*
* China, Iran, South Korea , Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
to not attend BCRM for a minimum of 14 days following this contact/ their return from these areas irrespective of whether they have symptoms of infection or not.
All new patients will receive a declaration form by email with their appointment confirmation and we will continue to provide these forms to all attending BCRM to identify any potential risk.
Please adhere to public hand washing and self-isolation guidance
We ask that everyone who attends BCRM uses the hand gel provided at reception on arrival and again before you leave the centre
Postponement and cancellation of treatment
BCRM is continuing to deliver services as normal. Whilst we are not planning to postpone (defer) or cancel (not recommence) treatment at present, this decision will be reviewed on a daily basis.
- Should you become ill with the symptoms of coronavirus and are required to self-isolate or you have a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus, you will need to postpone your treatment and please notify us as soon as possible.
- Where a treatment is postponed, the cost of recommencing your treatment will be met by BCRM at no additional charge. However, any additional charges for repeat medication will be applicable.
- If you decide to cancel your treatment as the result of illness a partial refund amount will be made depending on the point at which the treatment cycle is cancelled. BCRM offer no refund for treatment cycle charges after egg collection has taken place. Full refunds would be made for additional services that were not undertaken as the result of cancellation - these are ICSI; PGS; and Embryoscope. No refund is offered on medication.
- Additional charges may be applicable if changes are made to your treatment plan as the result of illness – for example you decide to delay embryo transfer in which case a vitrifcation (freezing) and storage charge and a deferral charge would be applicable.
- If you postpone your treatment for other reasons the charges for the repeat periods of your treatment will apply on return as well as additional charges for repeat medication. If you cancel your treatment by choice we do not offer any refund on charges.
- We do however recognise that this situation is changing daily and should BCRM or relevant authorities determine that it is unsafe to continue to deliver care, due to staff sickness absence or as the result of a Government guidance, we will provide the appropriate notification to patients of their treatment postponement.
- In the event of treatment postponement due to BCRM closure, this would not result in significant financial detriment to patients in ongoing treatment and the cost for the recommencing will be met by BCRM at no additional charge on your return to treatment. However additional charges for repeat medication will be applicable.
If you require any further clarification please don’t hesitate to contact us by email to info@BCRM.org.uk
Please also see the latest Government & HFEA (regulator) advice: