Hospital trust makes face mask plea amid flu spike

Patients and visitors will be asked to wear masks in clinical areas of a hospital trust's sites

A hospital trust has "strongly urged" patients and visitors to wear face masks in its clinical areas amid a rise in flu and other winter viruses.

While people were not required to wear them in non-clinical areas, those preferring to do so would be encouraged, said Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The advice applies to Leighton Hospital in Crewe, along with Victoria Infirmary in Northwich and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.

Dr Clare Hammell, the trust's chief medical officer, said the spread of viruses over the winter was having a "significant impact" on services.

"It's important that we take steps to address this to protect our patients, visitors and staff," she added.

Rising cases of flu and other winter viruses have increased pressure on services at Leighton Hospital, bosses say

Dr Hammell said evidence showed wearing face masks could help to reduce the spread of viruses, while not wearing them increased the risk of transmission.

The advice came after a number of NHS trusts across the UK - in areas including Birmingham and Warwickshire - declared critical incidents as a result of pressures partly caused by winter viruses.