Welsh hospital staff not wearing masks?

[BeeTrees]

So I understand I’m England all staff have to wear masks at all times. So a simple surgical one/fabric for walking around and then full on PPE if in a covid area.

I went to an appointment this morning, and no one was wearing a mask. You could walk straight into the hospital and no one was checking. Staff were walking around with no masks, patients were walking around with no masks, I maybe saw one or two with one but that was it. The porters pushing patients were wearing masks, but the receptionist wasn’t and wasn’t behind a screen, patients in the waiting rooms weren’t wearing masks. Surely with the new information about air borne, all staff walking around corridors or going to and from work should wear a mask? I’ve seen more people wearing masks on the high street than a major hospital.
Surely one person walking down that corridor not knowing they had it not wearing a mask to protect others, would then infect the hundreds of people that walk through in the next few minutes?

Wales doesn't have the same rules as England

That’s shocking!

That's awful, Imagine covid being so dangerous that you have to wear masks in shops but not hospitals

Wales doesn't say you have to wear a mask in shops - only on public transport

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-52631835

I had a hospital appointment this week (Wales) and the staff were wearing masks, but what surprised me was they didn't take my temperature on entering. Also it seemed to be up to patients whether they wore a mask or not.
Whereas at my GP appointment, I wasnt allowed to enter without a mask and having my temperature taken.
The lack of consistency makes me wonder what is and isn't necessary.

Surely one person walking down that corridor not knowing they had it not wearing a mask to protect others, would then infect the hundreds of people that walk through in the next few minutes?

Sorry op but I just don't believe this. There have been many cases of people with covid not even passing it on to their partners who kiss them and share beds. I really don't think staff walking around a hospital would pass it on to hundreds.

I work.at a NHS England place every thing is lip service to masks unless you are working in that environment.

It's not that shocking more realistic.

We have been told that the forehead thermometers are not reliable and we are not to use them (Welsh NHS employee).

Had a hospital appointment today (England) and I saw at least 3 nom clinical staff members walk by with their masks.as chin hammocks. On the one hand I have some sympathy as I don't enjoy wearing one for a couple of hours, let alone a whole day. On the other hand at least try to pretend when in front of patients?

www.gov.uk/government/news/dont-rely-on-temperature-screening-products-for-detection-of-coronavirus-covid-19-says-mhra

We have been told to wear masks though so I'm suprised to hear it isn't happening.

We must wear masks when within 2m of a patient. In practice we wear them all the time in clinical areas. Patients can wear them if they choose. Most do. In Wales.

We are following the guidance from public health wales. All clinical areas require the use of masks. Walking around the hospital does not, so long as you can maintain social distancing. It means that work is slightly less unpleasant than it would be otherwise.

Had to go to A&E with my 93 year old grandfather last Sunday (he's ok!). They tested his temperature when we arrived and neither me or my mum were allowed to stay with him but I was allowed to wheel him to the fracture clinic (we were all wearing masks). They didn't bother testing my temperature though (or my mum's). When we went back in 90' later to get him (and discuss how he'd cope being at home with a dodgy foot) the nurse talking to us had her mask pulled down exposing her nose. 🤷

I've been to two different London hospitals in the last two weeks. Both checking temps of everybody as they enter, hand sanitizer plus handed a mask to wear at all times. All staff wearing either mask and /or visor. Waiting areas all distanced with stickers on chairs not to be used and cleaning go on round the clock.

I would have thought all hospitals would be following similar guidelines.

@Yetiyoga

Sorry op but I just don't believe this. There have been many cases of people with covid not even passing it on to their partners who kiss them and share beds. I really don't think staff walking around a hospital would pass it on to hundreds.

It seems some people aren’t very infectious, and some people are super-spreaders... The risk simply walking around is very low, but people will become more and more complacent over time, and walking past becomes stopping for a chat, becomes squeezIng together in a lift, to getting completely back to normal socially, and then it’s round the hospital....

Wales doesn't say you have to wear a mask in shops - only on public transport
Even that rule doesn't come in until Monday. Drakeford has been a useless ditherer throughout this.

Fair enough it’s horrible wearing it all shift, but a slightly better fabric one or surgical mask when walking in a corridor less than 2m apart and lifts? And the receptionist for the clinic? I understand some people are medically excempt, but I thought going in in a mask would be fine as I would be the same as everyone else. I felt like I was the only one.

I heard other hospitals have people at the entrance checking people going in. No one stopped me or asked me for my temperature or if a had any symptoms etc. I know most people would be sensible now and not go to hospital if they thought they had covid.
But not even someone telling you to use hand sanitizer on your way in.

@Polkadotdelight that's interesting, thank you.
It was an in-ear thermometer at the doctors. That was about four weeks ago though, so maybe they have stopped doing it now.

@ravensoaponarope we've been told to use in ear ones but of course now there is a backlog on order!

Sorry, that should say that we can use in ear thermometers!

Even that rule doesn't come in until Monday. Drakeford has been a useless ditherer throughout this.

Yes, I’m baffled as to why Wales has been so
behind the curve. It doesn’t do the reputation of Welsh self-government any good at all.

The lack of consistency makes me wonder what is and isn't necessary.

The lack of consistency drives me nuts! All trusts should be on the same page, IMO.

I, personally, think that anyone dealing with the public: hospital staff, shop workers, etc, should be required to wear masks.

Wales has been more proactive extending the lockdown, but why not hospitals all doing the same thing? When even a simple scarf over your face helps?

Other friends in England have said they are all stopped at the door and asked where they are going and told to where a mask and all staff and patients walking around the corridor wear them.

Surely it only takes one non symptomatic super spreader to walk down the corridor without a mask and everyone who walks past in the next few minutes without a mask now has it and they’ve all taken it to every ward in the hospital?