Published on: 24 June 2022

We continue to review our guidance around PPE in line with national guidance and the current levels of COVID-19 within the Trust and our local communities. There is no doubt that wearing a face mask has benefits and offers protection from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.   

  

From Monday 27th June we will be further relaxing some restrictions around wearing a face mask. Full details can be found below.  

  

Patient and visitors  

  

We know that colleagues are continuing to face abuse from some patients when they challenge them around wearing a face mask. This is also becoming harder to enforce given the scrapping of COVID-19 restrictions nationally and differing guidance across our North East trusts.   

  

From Monday, we will be encouraging patients and visitors to continue to wear face masks when they come into trust buildings, but we will no longer enforce this or expect colleagues to do so.   

  

The exception to this is in high risk areas. Patients and visitors must continue to wear a face mask in the following areas at all times:   

  • B28   
  • Phoenix Unit   
  • Renal Unit   
  • OHDU (Oncology / Haematology Day Unit) 
  • COVID-19 wards / COVID-19 contact bays 
  • Where advised by IPC (for example where there is a COVID-19 outbreak)  

Patients and visitors who have confirmed COVID-19 or have respiratory symptoms will be required to wear a face mask when in waiting areas or mixed areas.   

  

STSFT staff and staff on our sites from other organisations  

  

From Monday, colleagues will only have to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask in the following circumstances:  

  • Where they are delivering direct patient care and there is physical contact. This applies in clinical areas and in the community.  
  • Where they have mild to moderate respiratory symptoms    
The exception to this is in high risk areas. Staff must continue to wear a face mask in the following areas at all times:  
  • B28   
  • Phoenix Unit   
  • Renal Unit   
  • OHDU  
  • COVID-19 wards / COVID-19 contact bays 
  • Where advised by IPC (for example where there is a COVID-19 outbreak)  
 

Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs)   

Colleagues undertaking AGPs must continue to follow mandatory Trust guidance in relation to PPE. This can be found here.  

  

Any colleague who still wants to wear a face mask or an FFP3 mask following a personal risk assessment is supported to do so. We will continue to monitor and review this situation over the coming weeks.  

  

Please note – colleagues returning to work following COVID-19 infection, or close contact with a confirmed positive case must continue to follow Trust guidance here.  

  

 

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Shaz

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