Published on: 6th July 2022

We are currently seeing an increase in COVID-19 infections among our patients and staff groups which reflects the current surge in infections in the community.  

To ensure the safety of all our patients, service users, and members of staff, we have decided to reinstate some protective and preventive measures in the Trust as outlined below.  

We realise that this will be disappointing for many of you. However, in the face of increasing infection rates we all need to take measures to protect each other. Thank you for your part in this.

So, by Thursday 7 July, we will be reinstating the following precautions:

  • All staff to wear face masks in ALL clinical and non-clinical areas to include shared offices.
  • Patient will be asked to wear a facemask while in transit or when they are in common areas of the wards/clinical areas.
  • Patients, including chaperones, accessing outpatients (including X-ray and Scanning) will be asked to wear a face mask, and not to attend if they have symptoms. Patients will be encouraged to wear a facemask but will not be turned away if they tell us they are exempt or are not able to tolerate a face mask/covering.
  • Visitors will be asked to wear a mask when they come to visit. Any visitors with respiratory symptoms, however mild, should not come to RNOH.

We will continue to review infection prevention and control procedures in light of the infection rates and national guidance. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.