Change to face mask/face covering requirements in healthcare settings

From tomorrow (Tuesday 16 May), patients, visitors, and other members of the public coming into healthcare buildings will no longer be required to wear a face mask or face covering.

The guidance – brought in in response to COVID-19 – is being withdrawn across Scotland following a review of the current ‘state of play’ with the virus. This review recognised Scotland continues to adapt to the pandemic and has entered a calmer phase. This is due to the high uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations, especially amongst residents of care homes, reduced severity of illness and hospitalisations, and availability of treatments for COVID-19. This follows advice from Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland and Scottish Government Professional Clinical Advisors in Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC).

Dr June Brown, Executive Nurse Director and Hospital Acquired Infection Lead for NHS Grampian, said: “We are returning to our usual, pre-pandemic, practise. People should be assured our staff will continue to use personal protective equipment (PPE) where appropriate, in line with the National Infection Prevention & Control Manual.

“If people are anxious about coming into hospital, for any reason, masks will continue to be available at all entrances and they will be supported to continue wearing them.”

The guidance on the extended use of face masks applied to all healthcare settings: acute hospitals, community hospitals, and primary care premises like GP surgeries or dental clinics.

June added: “I would remind anyone coming into a healthcare building, for any reason, of the role they can play in halting the spread of infection. Regular, thorough, hand hygiene with water and soap, or hand gel, is one simple action we can all take. If you are unwell – with coughs or a cold, vomiting, or diarrhoea – you should not visit any friends or relatives in hospital until you have been free of your symptoms for 48 hours.”

Notes

The Scottish Government announcement of the withdrawal of the guidance is available here: Facemask guidance update - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)