- Face masks to be introduced in patient areas at Royal Bolton Hospital from Friday 30 October
- Measure aims to reduce the spread of flu and other winter viruses
- Face masks will be available across the hospital site
Royal Bolton Hospital is temporarily introducing face masks in patient areas to help protect patients, visitors and staff from COVID-19, flu and other winter illnesses.
The move comes as the hospital has seen growing numbers of patients attending the Emergency Department with respiratory symptoms. At the end of October, there were 210 positive patient tests for COVID-19 or flu, a significant increase from an average of 51 during September.
From Friday 30 October, all staff, patients and visitors will have to wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask when entering inpatient areas, including hospital wards, the Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centre.
Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are currently seeing a high number of flu cases in our hospital, and it is important that we take sensible steps to reduce the risk of infection and protect our patients, visitors and colleagues. For some people, flu can be a very serious illness.
“By wearing a face mask in patient areas, everyone can play a part in reducing the spread of flu and other seasonal viruses. We appreciate the support and understanding of our patients and visitors as we introduce this temporary measure.
“We will continue to monitor infection levels closely and keep the requirement under regular review over the next few days.”
Face masks will be readily available throughout the hospital. To ensure they are effective, people are asked to:
- Ensure the mask covers both the nose and mouth
- Keep the mask in place when speaking
- Dispose of the mask after use and do not reuse it
Alongside these measures, all frontline NHS staff have been offered the seasonal flu vaccine to help protect themselves, their colleagues and the patients they care for.
Visiting our services
To help keep everyone safe, please do not visit someone in hospital if you are unwell, especially if you have symptoms of COVID 19, flu, diarrhoea and vomiting, or other infectious illnesses.
Remember to always wash your hands with soap and water using sinks throughout the hospital, and where not available, with hand gel.
How to get vaccinated this winter
One of the most important things the public can do ahead of winter is to get vaccinated. The NHS offers protection against a greater number of viruses than ever before and if you are eligible for RSV, Covid or flu jabs please do come forward.
Vaccines offer the best possible protection against serious illness, and getting vaccinated not only protects you, but helps protect your friends and family too.
Flu vaccine
Flu vaccines are available for everyone aged 65 and over, under 65s in clinical risk groups, pregnant women, care home residents and carers, close contacts of those who are immunosuppressed, frontline social care workers, and health and social care staff as well as children.
Vaccines can be booked online via NHS.UK and for the first time ever parents and carers can drop-in to their local pharmacy to get their toddler vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility changed for this autumn and winter following the JCVI recommendation that it should be offered to people aged 75 or over, anyone with a weakened immune system, or those living in older adult care homes.
Please double check you are still eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before booking – the NHS website sets out whether your age, health condition or medication means you are eligible, and your GP practice or pharmacist will confirm this before giving you the vaccine.
