Changes to mask wearing across our healthcare settings

Following changes to national guidance, the policy and guidance in our hospital settings is largely as it was before the pandemic, with some important exceptions.

Visitors, staff and patients are no longer routinely required to wear face coverings unless it is their personal preference.

 There are exceptions to this, as follows:

• In settings (inpatient or outpatient) where patients are at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression, e.g. oncology/haematology and renal services, visitors will be asked to wear a facemask unless they are medically exempt.
• Visitors and individuals accompanying patients to ED and admission areas will continue to be encouraged to wear face coverings
• Visitors will be asked to wear a surgical facemask if visiting a high-risk area or a patient with suspected/known COVID-19.

Please help us to help you and your loved one by not attending if you are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or any other infection (such as diarrhoea and vomiting).

For more information on visiting click here – link to https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/covid-19-information/