Frequently asked questions for Trust staff

We provide visors for community staff in these situations. We are also looking at using goggles.

Follow the supplier’s advice which is usually a full clinical shift however if it becomes damp or uncomfortable it needs to be changed. We don’t expect anyone to keep the same mask on for 12 hours as people will need to take comfort breaks which will require a mask change.

At the end of May for all Trusts.

98.7% of assessments have been completed so far.

Referrals to occupational health where social distancing and PPE are not available then we look at redeployment.

The guidance says that face coverings should be worn to protect other people from infection and prevent pre-infection spread. Wearing something is better than nothing.

They are both used to stop droplets being carried out of your mouth. There is little difference.

Services must undertake an individual risk assessment if there is any deviation from Trust policy. The decision to deviate must be documented with clear rationale explaining why wearing full PPE is clinically detrimental to the service user, e.g. causing unnecessary distress, breakdown of therapeutic relationship. The risk assessment must demonstrate all mitigating factors, be reviewed by the infection prevention and control team and signed off by the service’s deputy director.

Wherever possible the appropriate use of PPE and 2 metre social distancing measure should be observed.

The staff member should access the garden without going into the house where this is possible, and no PPE is required. The staff member must wash / sanitise their hands thoroughly before the visit, maintain social distancing and not accept items from the family or child unless they have gloves on.

If the staff member has to enter the house to access the garden, PPE would be required including gloves, apron and mask. When walking through the house the staff member should avoid touching anything inside the house including doors or any surfaces. The PPE would need to be disposed of safely once out of the house. Once outside the house the mask could be removed but a new one would need to be put on when walking back through the house.

The therapist should also observe strict hand hygiene before and after the visit and maintain social distancing.

The need for clear face masks has been identified nationally, and efforts are being made to source appropriate items.

The Trust is actively seeking clear face masks to help with this issue. Once appropriate stock has arrived, they will be distributed.