These are the steps we are taking to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the Chelsea Pensioners. This page will be updated regularly as we respond to changing circumstances and advice from Government and Public Health England.
As of October 22nd the following plans have been implemented:
- There will be no family visits conducted indoors. Gazebos will be available outside for Chelsea Pensioners to meet with their family members.
As of April 2nd the following plans have been implemented:
- We are proactively managing our response to COVID-19 both in our care and support to the Chelsea Pensioners and are working closely with our local NHS Hospital, Chelsea & Westminster, with whom we have a good relationship
- A number of Pensioners have tested positive for COVID-19; others are displaying symptoms. They are in isolation and being cared for on an individual basis, including the provision of meals, medical care and social care. We anticipate that this number will grow
- We planned ahead for this eventuality and currently have sufficient PPE equipment and protocols in place to protect our frontline staff
- Social distancing is being strictly adhered to by staff and Pensioners
- We have been grateful for support with planning from the serving Army including a small number of the Royal Army Medical Corps who are assisting us with more specialist care, relieving the load on the local NHS
- Our newly formed ‘Ministry of Fun’ team is providing a range of support to Pensioners who are spending most of their time in their berths or with activities that maintain strict social distancing
- Messages of encouragement and support can be sent to Pensioners using our new Pensioner Pals portal on our website
As of March 30th the following additional steps will be taken:
Our annual Founder's Day celebration has been cancelled.
As of March 17th the following additional steps will be taken:
The main Royal Hospital Chelsea site will now be closed to external visitors, albeit it with some exceptions.
The Chelsea Pensioners will now remain within the Royal Hospital grounds in order to reduce their risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus (unless for essential reasons such as hospital visits).
As of March 13th the following additional steps will be taken:
For our regulated Care Home wards, following the most recent advice from Public Health England, we have suspended access to all external visitors. These wards include: Paget ward, Jones ward and Campbell ward. Any exceptions to this would be if there was a change in an individual's health condition.
Please call the relevant ward if you require any further updates on the Chelsea Pensioners who reside there.
- Paget ward: 020 7881 5262
- Jones ward: 020 7881 5223
- Campbell ward: 020 7881 5551
As of March 11th the following additional steps will be taken:
- There will be no access for members of the public to the buildings and grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea until further notice – this means that the Coffee Shop, the Chelsea Pensioners’ Social Club, Ranelagh Gardens, Great Hall, Museum and Chapel, grounds and other public spaces will be closed to the public.
- The South Grounds will still be accessible from the Bull Ring Gate and the Chapel will be open to the public for Sunday Worship as normal.
- The Post Office and Shop will remain open but will have reduced opening hours - from 10am until 4.30pm each day (Wednesday 4pm) and closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm.
- In order to minimise risk to more vulnerable Pensioners living on site, the Chelsea Pensioners will not be in attendance at external public events.
As of 14th February we are taking the following precautions:
- We have introduced hand sanitising stations at all of our public facing gates. Anyone entering the site must use the provided hand sanitiser or will be refused entry.
- We require any employee who has travelled into an affected area or has symptoms which could be indicative of coronavirus to quarantine for 14 days.
