All staff and visitors to Coalville Community Hospital will be asked to wear fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) in all clinical areas from last Friday.

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust say this is due to a recent increase in the number of people in communities across the county with a Covid-19 infection.

The Coalville site is one of a number across Leicestershire being asked to do the same.

These clinical areas include all in-patient wards and outpatient areas - including clinic rooms and patient waiting areas.

Staff will also be wearing FRSMs in family and community hubs, care homes and when visiting patients in their own home. 

All visitors and outpatients in our clinical areas will be expected to wear a mask, unless they are exempt.

Coalville is one of a number of LPT sites which will put facemask requirements into place. The others are:

• Agnes Unit, Leicester
• Beacon Unit, Leicester
• Bennion Centre, Leicester
• Bradgate Mental Health Unit, Leicester
• Evington Centre, Leicester
• Herschel Prins Centre, Leicester
• Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital
• Loughborough Community Hospital
• Melton Mowbray Community Hospital
• Mill Lodge, Narborough
• Rutland Memorial Community Hospital
• Stewart House and The Willows, Narborough
• St. Luke's Community Hospital, Market Harborough

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The LPT adds that mask-wearing is not yet needed in non-clinical areas, but staff and visitors can use them in all settings if they choose to.

Non-clinical areas include toilets and corridors that are not on inpatient wards, and LPT training buildings unless you are advised to wear one.

Patients will be offered a mask if they are severely immuno-suppressed, are known to have Covid-19 or are symptomatic or if there is an outbreak of Covid-19 on the ward.

Dr Anne Scott, executive director of nursing, allied health professionals and quality at LPT, said: "We would like to reassure people that total numbers of staff and patient Covid-positive cases remain low.

"This is purely preventative action to ensure patient and staff safety, which is our number one priority.

"We will be regularly monitoring and reviewing this decision.

"We also ask people to take the opportunity to protect yourself and others.

"Getting your flu and Covid (if eligible) vaccinations will help to ensure you have the best winter protection for yourself and those around you."

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