All Lincolnshire hospitals will now be asking visitors and patients to wear masks.
The measures had previously been put in place at those with A&E departments such as Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital, but from today (Tuesday, December 23) it will be all hospitals, including Spalding’s Johnson Hospital, and community diagnostic centres.
The Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group say its asking people to wear the masks due to ‘an increase in respiratory illnesses’.
Its chief nursing officer, Nerea Odongo, said: “We continually review the infection prevention and control measures in place in our hospitals and community sites. We occasionally put additional precautions in place as necessary to protect our patients, staff and other visitors.
“We are currently seeing an increase in Influenza A in hospitals and community settings in Lincolnshire. We have therefore made the decision to re-introduce face masks to all clinical areas of our hospitals and community sites.
“We ask people to be respectful in supporting us to uphold these important safety standards to protect those around us and provide others with the confidence that they can continue to access services safely.
“We would also ask anyone who is eligible to consider getting their flu vaccination as soon as possible this winter.”
Masks will be available at the doors to all such centres.
Visitors to hospitals are also asked to stay away if they’re feeling unwell, have had diarrhoea and vomiting in the last 72 hours and that they thoroughly wash their hands.
