Face masks reintroduced in hospitals to combat flu

Facemasks have been reintroduced in all clinical areas in hospitals and community diagnostic centres in Lincolnshire.

Patients and visitors will be provided with masks when attending clinical areas as an additional infection prevention and control measure due to an increase in respiratory illnesses such as Influenza A.

Masks were reintroduced on December 23 and Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group Chief Nursing Officer, Nerea Odongo, explained: “We continually review the infection prevention and control measures in place in our hospitals and community sites. We occasionally put additional precautions in place as necessary to protect our patients, staff and other visitors.

“We are currently seeing an increase in Influenza A in hospitals and community settings in Lincolnshire. We have therefore made the decision to re-introduce face masks to all clinical areas of our hospitals and community sites.

“We ask people to be respectful in supporting us to uphold these important safety standards to protect those around us and provide others with the confidence that they can continue to access services safely.

“We would also ask anyone who is eligible to consider getting their flu vaccination as soon as possible this winter.”

Visitors to the hospitals, community diagnostic centres and other community settings are also reminded:

• If you are unwell, please don’t visit until you are feeling better. If you have symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not visit until you have been clear of these symptoms for at least 72 hours.
• Hand hygiene continues to be very important. Please ensure you regularly use alcohol hand rub available to clean your hands both before and after you visit a loved one. Hand rub dispensers can be found at the entrance to each ward in our hospitals.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet, to prevent the spread of infections.