From tomorrow (16 May) the Scottish Government have advised to stand-down the current guidance regarding the extended use of fluid resistant face masks (FRSM) and face coverings within health and care settings for staff, patients and visitors.
Health and care staff across NHS Lanarkshire will be required to revert to risk assessment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual – Standard Infection Control Precautions and Transmission Based Precautions. It is no longer necessary to wear a FRSM or face covering unless it is required where there is a risk from close contact with individuals displaying respiratory symptoms. In this instance FRSM are single-use PPE and must be disposed of after each use and hand hygiene performed before donning and after doffing.
NHS Lanarkshire service users will not be automatically asked to wear face masks unless there is a risk of transmission from individuals with respiratory symptoms; however, patients and visitors may still choose to wear a face covering as a matter of personal choice.
The new guidance covers all hospitals, health centres, community sectors, primary care facilities and care homes.
Why the guidance has changed?
The World Health Organisation on 5 May 2023 declared that the COVID-19 global health emergency in relation to the pandemic was over. Although COVID-19 continues to spread, transmission rates are lower and the virus is currently milder than at earlier stages in the pandemic resulting in a reduction in severity of illness and hospitalisation.
The risks of harm from COVID-19 has been weighed against the impact masks and face coverings can have, not only on healthcare staff’s health and mental wellbeing, but patients and visitors, and the decision recognises that Scotland has moved to a much calmer phase of the pandemic.
Fluid resistance surgical masks will continue to have a purpose within health and social care settings. However, we are in a position now where they should only be worn where there is a risk of transmission of respiratory infection from a symptomatic individual and not for the duration of a working shift.
Vaccination remains the greatest protection against COVID-19 and we continue to encourage all those eligible for the spring booster to get vaccinated.
