New guidance: Preventing infection in hospitals

FROM TODAY, HOSPITAL VISITORS AND OUTPATIENTS NEED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS
covid 19 virus

Public Health England has published new recommendations for NHS hospital trusts and private hospital providers to be implemented by 15 June.

These measures include;

  • in all settings that are unable to be delivered as COVID-19 secure, all hospital staff (both in clinical and non-clinical roles), when not otherwise required to use personal protective equipment, should wear a facemask; worn to prevent the spread of infection from the wearer
  • visitors and outpatients to hospital settings should wear a form of face covering for the same reason, to prevent the spread of infection from the wearer
  • hospitals should ensure that measures are in place so that all settings are, where practicable, COVID-secure, using social distancing, optimal hand hygiene, frequent surface decontamination, ventilation and other measures where appropriate