The Royal Bolton Hospital has introduced mandatory face masks in inpatient areas after a surge in Covid and flu cases, with the trust describing the situation as a period of 'high risk'.
Mandatory masks in patient areas
From Friday, October 30, all staff, patients and visitors are being asked to wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask when entering inpatient areas, including hospital wards. The measure is intended to help prevent the spread of winter illnesses.
Wendy McNair, infection prevention and control service lead at Bolton Hospital, said: "We are seeing an increase in attendances for respiratory viruses. We are seeing patients coming to A&E quite poorly with chest infections and we have got the occasional outbreaks on wards as well."
She described the current situation in the hospital as 'high risk' due to the elevated number of flu cases.
Guidance for visitors and staff
"We are asking people who attend on wards or clinical areas to don a mask at the entrance and wash their hands. Wearing mask reduces spread of infection and washing hands also reduces the spread," she added.
McNair also reiterated the importance of flu vaccinations. "It's really important for people to get vaccinated. It limits the severity of any illness you get and the likelihood of you carrying it home to vulnerable people. It's about not just protecting yourself but protecting your family."
Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are currently seeing a high number of flu cases in our hospital, and it is important that we take sensible steps to reduce the risk of infection and protect our patients, visitors and colleagues. For some people, flu can be a very serious illness.
Rising infection numbers
"By wearing a face mask in patient areas, everyone can play a part in reducing the spread of flu and other seasonal viruses. We appreciate the support and understanding of our patients and visitors as we introduce this temporary measure."
Roberts added: "We will continue to monitor infection levels closely and keep the requirement under regular review over the next few days."
The move comes as the hospital says it has seen growing numbers of patients attending the Emergency Department with respiratory symptoms. At the end of October, there were 210 positive patient tests for COVID-19 or flu, a significant increase on an average of 51 during September, according to The Royal Bolton Hospital.
Face masks will be available throughout the hospital. To ensure they are effective, the hospital is asking people to ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth, keep the mask in place when speaking, and dispose of the mask after use and do not reuse it. All frontline NHS staff have also been offered the seasonal flu vaccine to help protect themselves, their colleagues and the patients they care for.
