Barnsley A&E visitors asked to wear face masks

People are being asked to wear face coverings due to a rise in flu and Covid-19

A South Yorkshire hospital has asked visitors to its A&E department to start wearing face masks again.

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said the move was due to a recent rise in respiratory illnesses such as flu and Covid-19.

A&E patients were also asked to bring a maximum of one other person with them.

The trust's announcement divided opinion on social media, with some not keen on the idea of returning to wearing face coverings.

Barnsley Hospital also asked A&E patients to bring just one other person with them

The statement, posted on the trust's Facebook page on Tuesday, said: "Due to the rise in respiratory illnesses we ask that all patients and visitors who attend our Emergency Department wear face masks.

"We also ask that the number of people accompanying patients to our Emergency Department is limited to one."

'Temporary measure'

A spokesperson for the trust told the BBC it was a "temporary measure" being reviewed on a daily basis and the hospital was providing the masks.

She said: "The Trust has seen an increase in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with a variety of respiratory infections, including influenza and Covid-19.

"Due to this increase and the number of patients within the Emergency Department, we have asked that staff and anyone visiting the department wear a mask to help protect from possible infection."

There were no plans to bring back face masks for visitors to Rotherham General Hospital or Doncaster Royal Infirmary, according to the separate trusts which run them.

Some Facebook users commented on the Barnsley trust's post claiming hospital staff were not wearing masks themselves.

While some were supportive of the request, others questioned the effectiveness of wearing face coverings.

The trust said it was "monitoring and supporting staff with the reintroduction of masks".

Latest NHS figures, for 31 December 2023, show Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had 20 beds occupied by patients with Covid-19 and no beds occupied by patients with flu, norovirus or paediatric cases of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

Figures for last week were due to be published on Thursday.

Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency said wearing a face mask could "reduce the number of particles containing viruses that are released from the mouth and nose" of someone who had a respiratory infection.

It said face coverings could also protect the wearer "from becoming infected by some viruses".

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