A major change in guidance from NHS England means that face masks are no longer required in hospitals and GP surgeries – but the Isle of Wight NHS Trust is yet to reveal its new rules for St Mary’s Hospital.
New infection control guidance from the UK Health Security Agency states that patients and visitors to hospitals and GPs are no longer required to wear a mask – with the matter being left to personal preference.
It is recommended that masks are still worn by those with coughs and sneezes, as well as those with COVID-19. Masks should also be worn in high-risk areas, such as oncology.
Furthermore, rules on visiting hours should be reverted to pre-COVID policies, NHS Trusts are being told.
It’s good news for staff as well with the new guidance stating that staff no longer have to mask up all the time – that comes after more than 2 years of strict infection control.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is understood to be working on its new policy but has been slow to react and release details. The Maternity Department did share the news that masks were no longer required in the department last week, but has since deleted its social media post.
It’s understood that some local GP surgeries are still insisting people wear masks – despite having no legal reasoning nor medical guidance for such rules. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has previously threatened to name and shame those who don’t lift restrictions and get back to normal.
UPDATE @ 15:54 – The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has now confirmed its position, stating that face masks will no longer be required at St Mary’s Hospital or at any other Trust site across the Island from Monday (20th June) – despite the rule changes coming into force last week.
The Trust is also now allowing 2 visitors per hospital inpatient per day to visit from now on.
Vulnerable and high-risk patients and visitors can ask staff members to wear a mask, and face masks will continue to be available to those who choose to wear one.
Juliet Pearce, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs said:
“Thank you to everyone who has followed the range of infection prevention and control guidance in place throughout the pandemic, and to all those who had their vaccinations. Those actions have made a positive difference to our community and allowed us to go forward in making these significant changes today.”
Does this also include dental surgeries?
Yes
as usual, the demi gods that call themselves doctors, are ignoring the changes and expecting people to still wear face nappies. Perhaps they need personal fines to ensure that they stop putting these barriers in peoples way.
Jesus wept, I think you need the nappy!
One day you are going to need the services of one (or more) of these “demi gods”. I assume you will refuse their services as you hold them in such low regard?
the NHS is not fit for purpose its become a political tool..
With all due respect, I have a 9 year old that could do what a GP does.
Which probably means there are neonates who could do whatever you do,
Grow up.
This a medical matter. Politicians keep you nose out.
Or, better still, they should wear a face mask correctly and keep their noses IN! Lol.
It comes into effect as of Monday on the Island.
Why would GP surgeries feel shame because they still request face masks?
They are well past feeling any shame about keeping people waiting.
If you want to see a Dr or Nurse in surgeries or at the Hospital , what is wrong with wearing a face mask covid hasn’t gone Away!! take responsibility do you do lateral flow test’s to keep medical staff safe ?
If the answer is no then perhaps that is why you cannot get an appointment !
We all need to realise we may need attention from Dr’s Hospital staff etc so I don’t see the inconvenience of a mask for an appt .
It’s called respect .
And before the thumbs down brigade start clicking,, think about if you have an emergency accident ,heart attack
,stroke etc .we all need to protect our NHS .
Well said Miss Sensible. The numbers are rising again and although not so serious because of the vaccines we do need to protect our health workers, even if it almost impossible to get a face to face appointment with a G.P.
Calm down Doris.
People like you are why I support privatised healthcare.
If you cant afford it, try working harder
No, covid hasn’t gone away but people are going back to living normal lives without the worry of it hanging over them and, guess what, we’re not all falling down dead because we don’t wear masks. I know, it’s crazy isn’t it? Imagine being told for several years that you have to wear a mask to protect yourself and other people and then, when we stop wearing them, we find that actually we’re all perfectly ok without them.
If you want to wear a mask, that’s ok, do it, just don’t expect everyone else to do the same. The vast majority of us are getting on with our lives normally and not living in fear.
Just need the doctors back at work now
Oh bugger, that means Im going to have to wax my chin, check my nose for bogeys and worry about bad breath again!!!
mass formation psychosis
After two years plus of scaremongering and brainwashing some on here are still in the above categorys. What dose COVID mean .. let me enlighten you it means flu . assuming that you know how look it up. Any decisions regarding my health and safety I’ll be the one that makes them not Doris Johnson and his puppets and definitely not that lot at that hospital. After all we do have choices bupa and the option to be treated on the mainland.. It’s time to wake up but I doubt this won’t happen this side of Christmas.