Protect the NHS and All Healthcare: Require #MasksInHealthcare

We urge the Government to implement a policy requiring mask wearing in all healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics and GP practices for staff, visitors and patients. An FFP2 minimum should be mandated, to protect against infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Vulnerable patients, such as the elderly, individuals with weakened immune systems, and those undergoing treatments, are at higher risk of severe illness or death from infectious diseases.

Requiring everyone in healthcare settings to wear masks is a crucial preventive measure to reduce the spread of diseases, including COVID-19, and protect patients from airborne infections.

Masks act as a barrier, preventing transmission and safeguarding the health of patients and healthcare workers alike.

The UK Government currently has no plans to implement a policy requiring everyone in healthcare settings to wear masks.

The Government’s policy on mask-wearing and other matters relating to infection prevention and control is informed by evidence-based advice from subject matter experts in the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England (NHSE).

NHSE published the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) (https://www.england.nhs.uk/national-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-nipcm-for-england/) in April 2022. This manual is an evidence-based guide for use by all those involved in healthcare provision. The NIPCM is mandatory across NHSE or settings where NHSE services are delivered and is complemented by pathogen/disease specific guidance produced by UKHSA.

The process to develop the evidence base for the NIPCM is published at NHS England » National infection prevention and control manual: Methodology (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Flong-read%2Fnational-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-methodology%2F&data=05%7C01%7CAndy.Gardiner%40dhsc.gov.uk%7C90134551cdf4452a368e08db09ed942a%7C61278c3091a84c318c1fef4de8973a1c%7C1%7C0%7C638114688977149381%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VNyellS6I8%2BpWc5lqzZeZkn18iO%2FpJy4JV9%2BVSqs9vc%3D&reserved=0). The NIPCM outlines evidence-based standards and transmission-based infection and prevention mitigations.