Surgical Face Masks

Multiple variants of Covid-19 continue to circulate in the population during all seasons, and UHNM has noticed an increase during June. As a result,  from Monday 1 July 2024 , at UHNM we are re-introducing the wearing of fluid resistant surgical masks in all our clinical areas.

Patients and visitors will also be required to wear a mask when in clinical areas at Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford. Entrances to all wards and clinical areas will have masks and hand gel available for staff, patients and visitors to wear. 

This guidance will be regularly reviewed and updated based on the community prevalence of Covid-19.

As always, for anyone coming into our hospitals, please keep the following in mind:

• if you feel unwell – for example if you have symptoms of Covid-19, any respiratory illness, flu, sickness or diarrhoea– please do not come to hospital
• we may need to restrict visiting in certain areas from time to time to help protect our most vulnerable patients, or to prevent the spread of infections or illnesses. We appreciate your understanding in these circumstances
• use hand sanitiser or wash your hands as you enter the hospital and when entering or leaving any department
• follow any local infection prevention and control measures, as advised by staff and signage