Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has introduced face mask rules from this week amid a rise in respiratory infections including flu and Covid. The trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has asked staff and visitors to wear masks in designated clinical areas.
The rules came into force on Wednesday, October 28, and apply across the trust's sites, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon Urgent Treatment Centre and Bensham Hospital. The move follows a similar decision by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust last week.
Where masks are required
Staff are required to wear face masks in hospital wards, emergency and assessment areas, treatment and examination rooms and some specialist clinics, subject to appropriate clinical exceptions and reasonable adjustments. Visitors are being asked to wear a mask when visiting patients in designated clinical areas to help protect patients, visitors and staff.
Masks are not required in non-clinical areas. Visitors unsure whether they need to wear one are advised to speak to a member of staff and ask.
Reason for the new rules
The decision follows an increase in respiratory infections, including influenza A and Covid, circulating in the community and across healthcare settings. Beth Swanson, chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control at Gateshead Health, said: "We are seeing an increase in respiratory infections across our services and are introducing additional precautions to protect our patients, staff and visitors."
She added: "Many of the people we care for are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, so wearing face masks in clinical areas is an important measure to help reduce the risk of infection spreading. We will review the requirements every week using the latest local data and clinical advice, and make changes when it is appropriate to do so."
Dr Jonathan Moore, consultant medical microbiologist at Gateshead Health, said: "Respiratory viruses, including influenza A and COVID-19, are circulating in our communities and hospitals. Vaccination and wearing a face mask can help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses and protect vulnerable patients and colleagues. Prevention starts with us, and the simple steps we take can make a difference."
Review and other measures
The trust says the measures will be reviewed weekly, with any changes communicated to staff, patients and visitors. Masks will be available to visitors and patients when they arrive at hospital.
Alongside wearing face masks, the trust is reminding patients, visitors and staff to clean their hands regularly, particularly when entering and leaving clinical areas, cover coughs and sneezes and dispose of tissues appropriately, take up flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if eligible, avoid visiting patients when experiencing respiratory symptoms, and follow any additional infection prevention guidance from clinical teams.
