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Face mask

Posted By Meaty

"Face mask"

About: Cowes Phillip Island Health Hub

(as the patient),

When we arrived at the entry foyer we were advised we had to wear the new masks provided by BCH. These masks were so tight around mine and my carer's face that it felt as though our blood supply was being cut off to our heads and noses. We both struggled to breath through our noses and I found the masks were also too small. It seemed they may have suited children but not adults. We did complain to the staff but were told if we don't wear them were can not attend my Podiatrist appointment. We were both very uncomfortable and I feel if we have to wear these mask we will not be entering for treatment.

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Responses

Response from Jan Child, CEO, Bass Coast Health nearly 2 years ago
Jan Child
CEO,
Bass Coast Health

Submitted on 6/09/2022 at 5:48 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 8:43 AM

picture of Jan Child

Dear Meaty

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your post.

The masks you were asked to wear were adult sized N95 masks. These same masks have been worn by our staff for the last 3 years and, aside from vaccinations, have been the single most effective means of protecting our staff and patients. They are issued to our clients and visitors when we have significant local community transmission that puts our clients/visitors and staff at greater risk. We have experienced significant workforce shortfalls and we have been doing everything we can to reduce transmission so that we can continue to run our services - these masks have formed part of our mitigation strategy.

I absolutely understand and acknowledge these masks are tight and will be more uncomfortable than surgical masks. We only deploy these when the situation is high risk and you will be pleased to know that most visitors are now back to wearing surgical masks again.

We will likely be in surgical masks for a few months but some modelling suggests that we will have another wave in October/November and we may need to return to this higher level of protection - for you and for our staff. If, when you return for your next podiatry appointment, we are back to wearing 95 masks again, please ask the staff to provide you with the largest size. At the time of your appointment, staff will be able to tell you what our mask protocol is at the time.

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. I hope you will understand that the safety of our staff and patients continues to be our highest priority.

Kind Regards,

Jan

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Update posted by Meaty (the patient)

Thanks so much for your reply Jan. Best wishes, Meaty

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