The hospital is introducing the masks from today
Royal Bolton Hospital’s A&E Department(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A hospital in Greater Manchester says it will be making the use of face masks mandatory to help prevent the spread of winter illnesses. The hospital says it is temporarily introducing face coverings to help protect patients, visitors and staff.
The face masks are set to be used in patient areas in the Royal Bolton Hospital to prevent the spread of COVID-19, flu and other winter illnesses as the colder months start.
From Friday, October 30, all staff, patients and visitors will be asked to wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask when entering inpatient areas, including hospital wards.
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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.
“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.
“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.
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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 and 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.
Bosses say all frontline NHS staff have also been offered the seasonal flu vaccine to help protect themselves, their colleagues and the patients they care for.