Mask wearing returns for visitors at Kent hospital

Darent Valley Hospital is providing surgical masks for visitors after a surge in flu

A hospital in Kent has implemented mask wearing for staff and visitors after a surge in flu cases.

Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford is providing surgical masks for visitors to wear unless they are medically exempt.

The move comes as Kent and Medway NHS Trust encouraged people to get seasonal jabs as 70 people spent Christmas Day in hospital.

Other hospitals in the region are also increasing infection control efforts, after a surge of flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Other hospitals in the South East have also asked visitors to take precautions.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust is asking visitors to their hospitals to wear masks.

In a Facebook post, they wrote: "Wear a fluid-resistant mask when visiting our hospitals, even if you don't have respiratory symptoms."

'Reduce the risk'

Medway NHS Trust hospitals are providing visitors with masks, but they are only "mandatory" for staff treating infectious patients with illnesses such as Covid-19.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to encourage staff and eligible patients to have their flu and Covid vaccinations and are reminding everyone of the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection."

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust says it is keeping its measures "under review".

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Staff who are providing direct patient care for suspected or confirmed viral respiratory infections are required to wear fluid resistant surgical face masks to reduce the risk of any transmission."

They said suspected and confirmed patients, and their relatives, were being offered similar masks to help prevent and reduce the spread of infections.