Huge spike in respiratory illness sees early face mask return in South Tyneside hospitals
The rise in winter viruses has also affected NHS staff.
Healthcare leaders are taking early steps to protect vulnerable patients at the start of the cold and flu season.
From now, staff across South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) will wear facemasks across the trust’s hospitals and community facilities.
Patients, visitors and carers are also urged to help stop the spread of germs by wearing facemasks while on trust sites and making sure they clean their hands when entering and leaving.
The trust is bringing in its winter plans early after an 80% rise in the number of people in hospital with respiratory illness in the space of a week. The rise in winter viruses has also affected NHS staff.
The measures apply across all hospitals and key community sites, including: South Tyneside District Hospital, Palmer Community Hospital, Sunderland Royal, Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital, Durham Treatment Centre, Houghton Intermediate Care Assessment and Rehabilitation (ICAR), St Benedict's Hospice and Sunderland Children's Centre.
Community staff visiting patients anywhere will also wear face masks as part of the measures.
Dr Shaz Wahid, executive medical director at STSFT, said: "We are already seeing an increase in respiratory viruses across our hospitals and community services and are taking action now to help reduce the spread of infection.
“When we introduced these measures last winter, they were very effective and that is why we are taking even earlier steps this year to protect as many people as we can and make sure our services can run effectively.
“Many of the people we care for are more vulnerable to serious illness, including older people, people with long-term health conditions and those whose health is already compromised.
"We also want to protect our staff, their loved ones and everyone who comes into our hospitals and community services. By taking simple steps together, we can reduce the risks and help keep people safe."
Alongside face mask wearing, the Trust is also relaunching its Clean Hands campaign, reminding everyone that every action counts in preventing the spread of infection.
Patients, visitors and staff should: wear face masks correctly, clean their hands regularly, follow cough and sneeze etiquette advice, have any flu or winter vaccines they are eligible for and avoid visiting loved ones in hospital if they feel unwell.
For more information, visit www.stsft.nhs.uk.