Facemasks no longer required in north Wales hospitals

Facemasks are no longer required for patients and visitors in north Wales hospitals. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reintroduced face coverings in November 2022 “due to an increase in the rates of winter respiratory infections.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However the health has confirmed that following a review of the latest data and fortnightly review, a decision has been taken to “step down the requirement” for face coverings in all health board settings. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

This includes staff, patients and visitors. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However there are the following exceptions: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• Facemasks should be worn in settings where patients are at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression e.g. oncology or haematology.
• Inpatients with a suspected or confirmed Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) e.g. COVID-19, Flu should be provided with a facemask on admission. This should be worn in multi-bedded bay and communal areas e.g. waiting areas for diagnostics.
• Inpatients with suspected or confirmed ARI in a single room are not required to wear a facemask unless a visitor enters, or there is a need to keep the room door open.
• Patients with a suspected or confirmed ARI transferring to another care area should wear a facemask.
• Outpatient with a suspected or confirmed ARI should wear a facemask/covering and should be offered a mask on arrival.

Patients that are not suspected or confirmed ARI are not required to wear a facemask unless it is their personal choice to continue, or they are cared for in settings where patients are at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression e.g. oncology or haematology. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Visitors accompanying patients to appointments are not routinely required to wear a facemask unless this is their personal preference or there is an outbreak in the area being visited. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, in patient settings where patients are at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression e.g. oncology or haematology. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

More information on mask usage and visiting at north Wales hospitals can be found here. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​