North East hospital trust brings back masks as respiratory cases climb sharply

Face masks have been reintroduced across hospitals and community facilities run by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust following a sharp rise in seasonal illness.

The trust brought forward its winter infection-control measures after recording an 80% increase in hospital patients with respiratory illnesses in just one week. Winter viruses have also affected members of NHS staff, adding further pressure to services.

Staff are now wearing masks at sites including Sunderland Royal Hospital, South Tyneside District Hospital, Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital, Durham Treatment Centre and St Benedict’s Hospice. The measures also apply to community teams visiting people in their homes, care homes and other settings.

Patients, visitors and carers are being encouraged to wear masks and clean their hands when entering and leaving NHS buildings. The trust said similar precautions helped limit infections and protect services during the previous winter.

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