Hospital patients and visitors must wear face masks

Patients and visitors to all NHS Lanarkshire hospitals are now required to wear face masks, with coverings being provided for those who arrive without one of their own.

The new guidance came into effect on Monday and applies at the county’s three acute hospitals including Monklands, plus its community facilities including Coathill and Wester Moffat.

Health board officials say:“The main purpose of this measure is to seek to prevent the transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19) from the person wearing the mask.”

Anyone attending an NHS Lanarkshire hospital, including those arriving for appointments, will be met at the entrance by a volunteer who will outline the new process – which also includes using sanitiser to decontaminate hands and following a specific route through the hospital.

Those without face coverings or wishing to change theirs“will be provided with a medical type I or type II mask” and given instructions on how to put it on and dispose of it on leaving.

Face coverings should not be used for under-fives, and NHS Lanarkshire say that for“young children and people with breathing difficulties or specific medical conditions who may be unable to wear a mask – hand hygiene, cough etiquette and physical distancing measures must be reinforced and strictly adhered to.

“These are the most important and effective things we can all do to prevent the spread of coronavirus.”

Volunteers will greet those attending acute hospitals while staff members will support those arriving at the community facilities; while people with appointments or visits outwith normal hours are asked speak to the relevant receptionist or nurse in charge.

Hospital visits have been restricted since mid-March; NHS Lanarkshire state that this is still the case but add: “This situation may change in the near future.”