In line with Government guidance, the NHS in Gloucestershire is asking hospital outpatients and visitors (who are not affected by current visiting restrictions) to plan ahead and have face coverings available for when they attend hospital from 15 June.
The NHS locally is also recommending that patients who are asked to attend GP surgeries or community services also wear face coverings.
Guidance for the public on use of face coverings is available from the GOV.UK website here.
“We would like to thank our patients for their support at this time. Our top priority is to ensure that all our healthcare facilities are safe places to attend and that we continue to work together – staff and patients – to build on the measures already taken to minimise the spread of infection.
When patients come to our hospitals for care they will see staff wearing face masks. When patients attend their GP surgery they will also see clinical staff wearing masks during appointments. Again this is to support the safety of all concerned.”
The NHS across Gloucestershire has also rapidly expanded the use of technology so that many more patients can experience video or phone consultations where appropriate.