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Mask usage in non-clinical areas

I know that the mask guidance for hospitals is still in place, but I am wondering whether anyone has said that staff who are in non-clinical areas, sat at desks and socially distanced can remove their mask.  Given the changes in rules outside hospitals it is getting increasingly difficult to maintain compliance in non-clinical areas and this may be easier to manage.  Any thoughts?

7 Comments

  1. Lucy Jeeves Mar 4, 2022 02:51 PM

    Hi Pat, I am really interested in this too. I saw on twitter that CNWL have and i have asked them for their risk assessment documents. There was also some members of the MH/LD SIG asking the same in the whatsapp member chat. 

    I think there used to be some HSE guidance which supported this stance (removal when seated in offices) but this has been removed from their website now

    1. Lucy Jeeves Mar 4, 2022 02:55 PM

      the tweet has now been deleted so many they are not doing it 

  1. sharon clark Mar 4, 2022 04:18 PM

    there was something in National Guidance re non wearing of masks when seated in covid secure areas / office space, i will see if i can find it and post it on here for you 

  1. sharon clark Mar 4, 2022 04:23 PM

    ·        providers of primary and community health services should ensure that measures are in place so that all settings are, where practicable, COVID-secure, using social distancing, optimal hand hygiene, frequent surface decontamination, ventilation and other measures where appropriate

    ·        where a setting cannot be delivered as COVID-19 secure through all other means, a local assessment may conclude that primary and community healthcare staff (both in clinical and non-clinical roles), when not otherwise required to use personal protective equipment, should wear a face mask; worn to prevent the spread of infection from the wearer*

    ·        where a COVID-19 secure environment cannot be maintained, patients and members of the public entering primary and community healthcare premises should be advised to use face coverings in line with government advice

  1. Patricia Cattini Mar 7, 2022 08:03 AM

    Thank you. I think if you are able to distance etc then you should be able to remove the mask while seated.  I changed my mind with omicron as it is so infectious, but given for most people (especially if vaccinated) it's not much more than a cold, I think we should be able to do this now.  It feels silly that me and my team adhere to the rules, but I go to other office areas and people just don't follow the rule! I think, given changes outside hospitals,  we may have lost the room so to speak.

  1. Dana Wood Mar 29, 2022 08:08 AM

    Hi, does anyone have a risk assessment for non-clinical staff not wearing masks?  At a webinar recently the Chief Nurse mentioned the issue of non-clinical areas not wearing masks any more in the NHS but our OH and H&S dept want this to be based on a risk assessment undertaken by managers with their staff. Just didn't want to reinvent the wheel if there is already one out there!

  1. Dana Wood Mar 29, 2022 08:08 AM

    Hi, does anyone have a risk assessment for non-clinical staff not wearing masks?  At a webinar recently the Chief Nurse mentioned the issue of non-clinical areas not wearing masks any more in the NHS but our OH and H&S dept want this to be based on a risk assessment undertaken by managers with their staff. Just didn't want to reinvent the wheel if there is already one out there!

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