Healthcare and care home staff coming into contact with patients and residents will have to wear medical grade face masks, the Scottish Government has announced, almost eight weeks after the main social care representative body in Scotland called for such a move.

The move follows recommendations made by the Scottish Government’s Nosocomial Review Group – a body of experts tasked with advising government on how to deal with covid-19 in health and care settings and chaired by Chief Nursing Officer Fiona McQueen.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman made the announcement in Holyrood today as she revealed healthcare staff in certain areas would be tested routinely as part of plans to get paused services up and running again.

All staff in hospitals and adult care homes who have contact with patients or residents will have to wear medical grade facemasks.

Patients attending hospital as day cases and visitors will be expected to wear a face covering, but not a medical grade mask, as part of efforts to reduce the risk of transmission.

The requirements come into effect from the 29^th June.

It follows a call for similar measures from Scottish Care made almost two months ago. Welcoming the move, the organisation said:

“It will be important to consider how professional judgment can be exercised around the wearing of masks when supporting individuals with dementia, those who lip read or who are experiencing significant distress. 

“It will also be important to ensure that care homes can continue to access the number of masks required at a sustainable cost as demands on the supply chain are likely to increase, and we continue to be grateful to the Scottish Government for their PPE support to care services through the triage and hub system.”

Today’s announcement does not include care at home providers in Scotland who support people in their own homes.

“Scottish Care wants to see the extension of this announcement to health and care staff in the community, including in care at home settings,” the umbrella body added.

“These individuals are also at greater risk of infection transmission and spread, not least as visiting restrictions across the population ease. 

“They require recognition and consistency in PPE use between themselves and colleagues in other health and care settings and sectors.”

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