Queensland Health has announced that staff, patients and visitors are to be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in Greater Brisbane hospitals from now on.
Effective immediately, universal masking (with a single-use surgical mask) will be required at West Moreton Hospital and Health Services (HHS), Metro North HHS, Metro South HHS and Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Additionally, Queensland Health is also recommending a similar approach for other healthcare providers in the Greater Brisbane area.
Minister for Health, Steven Miles said this approach was made possible by the investment and preparedness worked hard on since the first wave of the virus.
“Protecting our community is important, and now we have a stockpile of PPE, including masks and gowns that our health heroes on the front line can utilise every single day,” Mr Miles said.
“It is important that we continue to protect the vulnerable in our community, including those who require hospital care, and the health staff who are an integral part of our COVID-19 response.”
Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young said following the cluster of COVID-19 cases relating to the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre it made sense to make this change.
“This is only in place for health facilities in Greater Brisbane who remain on heightened alert because of the current cluster,” Dr Young said.
“We are working very hard to control this current outbreak and until we get on top of it, it makes sense for us to take this measure.”
She said that under the plan staff would wear masks at all times while treating patients and at any time where social distancing cannot be maintained.
All patients will be required to wear a mask at all times, except when they are in their own bed.
Visitors given an exemption to attend hospital will be required to wear a mask during their visit.
