On the 31st December 2021 the Trust recommended that colleagues wear an FFP3 mask in clinical areas (i.e. areas where patient facing activities are being performed) across HDFT hospital, community and 0-19 services. This is a recommendation and is not a mandatory requirement. This recommendation applies to all colleagues when they are in a clinical / patient facing environment, regardless of whether they are a clinical colleague (for example, members of the portering team, IT services, chaplaincy).
To help you make an informed choice regarding the wearing of an FFP3 mask, please view the short video clip on what an FFP3 mask looks like and the types available.
- All staff must be fit tested to wear an FFP3 mask.
- FFP3 masks are sessional e.g. one worn on a morning and one on an afternoon. They cannot be removed and put back on e.g. after breaks, unlike a surgical face mask.
- Masks are designed to be tight fitting so they will be warm to wear, and communication is more difficult.
A list of fit testers is available on the front page of the intranet. There is also a booking system available through the IPC Team by calling ext 5484. For colleagues in the community and 0-19 services please contact your line manager who will discuss with the IPC Team.