An increase in Covid cases has led to facemasks being reintroduced at Nottinghamshire hospitals. Patients, visitors and employees at King’s Mill Hospital, Newark Hospital and Mansfield Community Hospital are being asked to wear masks from Tuesday 28 June 2022.
Masks were relaxed in all but high-risk areas of Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ three sites as part of a phased return to pre-pandemic policies. However, the decision has been taken to reintroduce masks following of an increase in covid cases nationally, in the local community, among patients and Trust employees.
Patients, visitors and employees at the Trust’s hospitals are now being asked to wear masks, which remain available from mask stations throughout the hospitals, at all times in order to protect themselves and others. People who are preparing to visit are urged not to do so if they have any signs of illness, particularly if they have any cold, flu or Covid-like symptoms, diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past three days, or if they have been in contact with anyone who has had these types of illness.
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Phil Bolton, Chief Nurse for Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “At the time we cautiously stepped-down the requirement to wear a mask we said we’d keep transmission rates under constant review and reintroduce measures if necessary. As cases have risen, it’s vital that we take decisive action to protect our most vulnerable patients, visitors and colleagues to ensure we can keep vital services running for all those that need them over the coming weeks.
"We’d like to thank everyone for their continued support and ask everyone to wear a mask when asked to do so across our hospitals.”
The Trust’s current policy on visiting arrangements remains unchanged. Staff, patients and visitors are still required to social distance to one metre in non-clinical and outpatient areas and two metres on wards, as well as continue to wash their hands frequently with soap and water and use the alcohol gel provided, in addition to wearing facemasks.
The Trust will keep its facemask, visiting and social distancing requirements under review.
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