3 December 2021

Listen to the message from Trish Bennett, Executive Director of Nursing about why all those who are eligible should be vaccinated. Please note that it will be appreciated if those staff who haven’t had their first and second dose COVID-19 vaccinations also take the opportunity to have them now.

All staff, (unless working in a room entirely alone), must wear masks at ALL TIMES and in ALL AREAS.

facemask 1.png

The wearing of surgical face masks in non-clinical and clinical areas plays a significant role in reducing further transmission of COVID-19. This applies to everyone working at all Trust sites (such as visitors and contractors). You must wash your hands before and after putting on and removing face masks:

  • After you ‘take off' (doff), dispose of your mask in the appropriate bin
  • Face masks must be removed and disposed of as you leave a clinical area
  • Face masks must be used when entering a patient’s home.

Facemask 2.png

Additionally:

  • We should all still adhere to safe distancing where possible
  • Complete thorough hand washing and frequently decontaminate surfaces
  • Ensure good ventilation of spaces as this is also important in reducing the risks.

Outside of your place of work, guidance on masks is as follows:

In England, face coverings must now be worn in shops and shopping centres, in transport hubs and on public transport. See when to wear a face covering. In indoor settings where a face covering is not legally required, you should still continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet. Some people, including children under 11, are exempt from having to wear face coverings in any setting. Furthermore, anyone with a health condition or disability, which means they cannot wear a face covering, has a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering.

These changes apply to England only. You can find out more about the different rules across the UK on the relevant websites of the relevant nation:

For those travelling in the UK and abroad

International travel

  • All staff members returning from abroad must have a PCR test, stay at home until receipt of a negative result, and then complete Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) for 10 consecutive days

Travelling to England from outside the UK

  • All staff members returning from abroad must have a PCR test, stay at home until receipt of a negative result, and then complete Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) for 10 consecutive days

Travelling in the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands

  • There are no restrictions on travel within England
  • You should check the rules at your destination if you’re planning to travel to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or to Ireland or the Channel Islands as there may be restrictions in place
  • Do not travel if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating. Get a PCR test and follow the stay at home guidance.
Return to Trust news