Greater Manchester hospital brings back face mask mandate
It comes amid a wave of flu infections
Last updated 6th Jan 2025
Royal Bolton Hospital is bringing back face masks in patient areas to help prevent the spread of viruses and infection.
The hospital has seen a high number of flu cases in recent weeks, with 42 patients in the hospital with flu on Thursday 2 January, up from an average of seven in September.
The ruling means all staff, patients and visitors will be asked to wear fluid repellent surgical face masks in inpatient areas from Monday 6 January.
Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"We are seeing a high number of flu cases in our hospital, and it’s important that we take steps to address this to protect our patients, staff and visitors, as for some people flu can be a very serious illness.
“We’re asking for your help to stop the spread of flu and other winter illnesses by wearing a face mask when coming in to patient areas in our hospital, such as wards.
“We’ll be keeping this temporary measure under review until the peak of flu infections reduce in the coming weeks. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in keeping everyone as safe as possible while they’re in our care or at work.
Simple steps to wearing a face mask effectively include:
- The mask needs be secured to cover the nose and mouth when in use
- They should not be pulled down when talking
- They should not be re-used and should be discarded immediately once removed
It comes after it was revealed last week that the number of people in hospital with flu in England is rising at a "very concerning rate" and is more than four times the level it was a month ago.
Figures from NHS England show an average of 4,469 flu patients were in beds in England in the final week of 2024, including 211 in critical care.
This is up 17% from 3,818 the previous week.
When comparing to last winter, the average number of flu patients in hospital in England each day last week is up sharply on the equivalent week last year when the average was 1,312.
Flu admissions are now classed as having a "high impact" on hospitals in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The admission rate for flu patients stood at 14.1 per 100,000 people last week, up from 10.7 the previous week and the highest level so far this season.
Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA chief medical adviser, said: "For many of us, the festive period is marked with parties and socialising with friends and family, meaning it's not unusual to see an increase in flu at this time of year and this was anticipated.
"This is why we have been urging those eligible to take up a free flu vaccine. The good news if you did, is that you are less likely to be severely affected by flu.
"If you're still offered a vaccine through local services, you should take it up as we could see high levels for some weeks still - this is particularly important if you're a health and social care worker, as we know these services are under significant winter pressures right now."