As reported by the BMJ, Hospitals and general practices have responded to the rising number of COVID cases by again insisting that staff and patients wear masks
NHS England confirmed in its June advice statement, that infection control is now up “for local discretion”.
In Sussex for example, all NHS organisations have reintroduced masks due to the county’s 33.3% rise in the number of people testing positive for COVID.
NHS England Midlands has sent out a letter to all providers asking them to review their guidance with a view to moving back to universal mask wearing for all staff, including primary care settings, as well as encouraging it for patients and visitors.
The Midlands team said: “It is apparent that we have entered the next COVID wave.
“Across the last seven days, we have had a 97% increase in our nosocomial COVID cases in acute trust settings and a 25% increase in our mental health settings”.
Other area trusts that also recently announced a return to mandatory including Oxford, Southampton, Sheffield, Cornwall, North Tees and Hartlepool, Gloucestershire, Nottingham, Lewisham and Greenwich, Nottinghamshire, and Lancashire.
Bromley by Bow Health, a large general practice across three sites in east London, has reintroduced a mask policy. GP partner Selvaseelan Selvarajah commented that many of his colleagues were suffering. The GP said, “Given the rapidly rising COVID cases among the patients and staff in GP practices, we have decided to go back to mandatory face masks within our premises.
“The current situation is causing increased sickness among staff, leading to our service provision for patients being significantly challenged, and at times we are having to run urgent care only service.”
In Wales, it is also still a matter for individual NHS organisations. But the minister for health and social services, Eluned Morgan has encouraged everyone to wear a mask, emphasising the increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital and staff off work.
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