NHS hospitals reintroduce face mask requirement as soaring flu cases see critical incidents declared
English hospitals are facing unprecedented pressure as the number of flu patients has quadrupled in the past month, according to the latest NHS data. Amid surging demand and a spike in winter viruses, several NHS trusts have declared critical incidents, reintroducing face mask requirements in clinical areas to curb the spread of infections.
Flu-related hospital admissions have skyrocketed to an average of 4,469 patients per day over the past week, with 211 requiring critical care. This sharp rise in cases, coupled with fears of worsening conditions due to plummeting weekend temperatures, has left hospitals stretched to their limits.
At East Surrey Hospital, health bosses cited “high levels of demand and winter viruses” as they declared a critical incident, asking patients with non-life-threatening conditions to seek alternative care options such as NHS 111 online, local pharmacies, or nearby treatment centres. Non-urgent treatments and operations are also being rescheduled.
Ed Cetti, chief medical officer at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our staff are working tirelessly to minimise disruption, care for those in our Emergency Department, and ensure available beds for patients needing urgent admission. Please only attend East Surrey Hospital in a life-threatening emergency.”
To mitigate the spread of viruses like flu and norovirus, visitors at East Surrey Hospital are being asked to wear masks in clinical areas, wash hands regularly, and limit movement around the site. Similar measures have been introduced at other trusts, including Shrewsbury and Telford, Mid and South Essex, Cambridge University Hospitals, and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals.
Paula Gardner, interim chief nursing officer at Shrewsbury and Telford, explained:
“With rising cases of flu, Covid-19, and other illnesses, we’ve made the difficult decision to limit visiting to essential visitors only, including critical patients and birthing partners. This will protect our most vulnerable patients and reduce infection spread.”
Gardner urged the public to maintain good hand hygiene, wear masks, and get winter vaccinations, emphasizing that these measures will be regularly reviewed to allow for the reintroduction of normal visiting policies as soon as it is safe.
The mask mandate isn’t new this winter, as hospitals in Lincolnshire implemented similar measures in December in response to increases in Covid-19, flu, and RSV cases.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, warned of mounting pressures: “People should be under no illusions—the NHS is in a position of national vulnerability. The next two to three weeks will likely be the busiest of the year, with very high levels of flu and rising demand from sicker patients placing enormous strain on services and staff.”
Bosses at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital re-introduced mask wearing for all staff, patients and visitors weeks before Christmas. A spokesperson for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “This is in line with a rise in flu cases in our hospital and in accordance with our agreed thresholds, which will be regularly reviewed
As mask mandates return, the debate over their effectiveness in combating flu outbreaks is likely to reignite, raising questions about balancing safety protocols with public cooperation during this challenging winter season.
Let’s hope they kept some of the PPE we spent billions on.
