Face masks reintroduced across Cornwall's hospitals as Covid cases rise
Patients, visitors and staff are being asked to wear them from Monday 4th July
Last updated 4th Jul 2022
Face masks are being reintroduced across Cornwall’s hospitals, including the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' NHS Trust, because of what officials have described as a significant rise in cases of Covid-19.
All patients (including out-patients), visitors and employees at hospitals in Truro, Penzance and Hayle, as well as community hospitals, minor injury units and treatment centres across the Duchy, are being asked to wear masks once again from Monday 4th July.
Health bosses say as new sub-variants (BA.4 and BA.5) have driven rising cases and hospital admissions both locally and across the UK, there have been steady increases in the number of healthcare staff testing positive, adding to additional strain on resources.
Kim O’Keeffe, dual chief nurse for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' NHS Trust and Cornwall Foundation Partnership Trust said: "It’s important we keep a close eye on transmission rates and review and reintroduce measures when needed.
"Recently, we’ve seen a rise in cases again and it’s crucial we use the tools at our disposal to help protect not only our patients, but visitors and our colleagues too.
"Making mask wearing a requirement once again for staff is a decision we've taken at a time when we were already under sustained system pressure".
Kim added: "To help ensure we can keep vital services running over the coming weeks and months, we are also encouraging visitors and all patients to wear a mask when visiting our sites.
"We’d also ask that people be kind to staff, who’ve been working incredibly hard to protect patients throughout the pandemic".
Both the Cornwall Partnership and Royal Cornwall Hospitals' trust's current policy on visiting arrangements remains unchanged.
Staff, patients, and visitors are still asked to continue to wash hands frequently with soap and water and use the alcohol gel provided, in addition to wearing facemasks.
RCHT and CFT intend to keep face mask wearing under review, alongside other measures like visiting restrictions and social distancing requirements.