New guidance: Preventing infection in hospitals

Advice and Information - 15 June 2020

FROM TODAY, HOSPITAL VISITORS AND OUTPATIENTS NEED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS
Face coughing into a hand

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

To read the guidance visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control

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