Visitors to St Mary’s Hospital here on the Isle of Wight are once again being asked to wear face masks, as the NHS responds to a rise in winter illnesses including flu and norovirus.
Mask-wearing, which became a major point of public debate during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being reintroduced in parts of the hospital to help protect patients and staff during what health officials describe as a ‘challenging’ winter period.
From today, masks are now encouraged in the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), and the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU), as well as any other areas where ward staff deem it necessary.
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has said masks will be made available at entry points. Patients and visitors can also choose to wear one across all services if they prefer.
A spokesperson for the Trust has urged people not to visit the hospital if they are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or any respiratory illness.
Those who still need advice but are unsure where to go are being encouraged to contact NHS 111 either online or by phone.
The Trust is also asking visitors to attend appointments alone if possible, or to bring only one supporter.
I do wonder if the doctors who are on strike from tomorrow will be wearing masks while on the picket line. After all, they wouldn’t want to put patients at risk would they.
Here we go again!
Here we go again the bullshit has started…never had this shit before the covids now this happens again? its all a control agenda all the media and scaremonger crap is everywhere.
yep, good idea, why not everywhere in the hospital?
“Seasonal Illness Spike” that’s an interesting name for the NeW vArIaNtS.
If only someone could have predicted this…