Staff, patients and visitors urged to wear masks at East Sussex hospitals as COVID-19 and flu cases rise
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has urged staff, patients and visitors to wear masks following a rise in COVID-19 and flu cases at its hospitals in East Sussex in December.
A spokesperson for the Trust, which runs Eastbourne District General Hospital, Conquest Hospital in Hastings and Bexhill Hospital, stated that the ‘precautionary measures’ have been put into place to ‘reduce the risk of onward transmission of these viruses to protect our staff and patients’.
A spokesperson for the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust said: “We are asking our patients, visitors and staff to observe the following precautions. We appreciate that not everyone is able to wear a mask, but we ask everyone to do so if they can to protect themselves and others.
“Facemasks should be worn by staff, patients and visitors in our gateway areas (such as our emergency department and assessment units) where we have large numbers of unwell patients who are untested for respiratory viruses.
“Facemasks should be worn by staff, patients and visitors in areas where we have patients with a confirmed respiratory virus – please ask a member of staff if you are unsure if this applies to where you are.
“Patients who display respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear facemasks if they can.
“Visitors are asked not to visit the hospital if they have respiratory symptoms if they are able to postpone their visit
“We currently have a good supply of facemasks at the trust, which are being replenished regularly. If the area you are in does not have any immediately available, please let staff know.
“You can also reduce the risk of catching, becoming seriously ill from and passing on flu by having your flu vaccination, washing your hands regularly and using hand gel. Keeping your distance from others when you can is also helpful.”
The announcement from the trust comes after NHS England (South East Region) stated on December 11 that hospitalisations for flu in the South East had more than doubled over the past seven days and that around 200 people were in hospital for the flu since the beginning of December.
Dr Christopher Tibbs, Medical Director for the NHS in the South East said: “The numbers of patients we’re seeing in our hospitals with flu is extremely high for this time of year and we still don’t know when that number will reach its peak.
“Staff right across the NHS are working incredibly hard in difficult circumstances to provide the best possible care for patients but we absolutely need you to play your part too.
“Please get your flu jab as soon as possible if you haven’t had it already – there’s still time to be protected in time for Christmas. Please consider wearing a mask if you’re visiting a loved one in hospital, even if the hospital is not requiring you to, as it may just play a small part in helping keep transmission to a minimum. And please continue to think about which NHS services is best for your needs – think whether your local pharmacy, 111 online or your GP practice may be best rather than attending a busy Emergency Department which is there for the very sickest.”