New mask advice for GPs in close contact with patients
As authorities strengthen directives on PPE, it’s hoped a new register of health worker coronavirus cases will shed light on who’s most at risk
GPs in NSW will be advised to wear surgical masks for all close contact with patients in the face of growing community transmission of COVID-19.
The move comes as plans are being finalised for a national register of health worker COVID-19 infections, that will track the circumstances in which doctors and nurses are being exposed.
On Friday NSW Health mandated that all health workers in public hospitals and other state-run health settings wear a surgical mask when within 1.5 metres of patients and that patients also wear masks “where possible”.
But RACGP NSW chair Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe, a clinical lead on NSW Health’s COVID-19 primary care group, said GPs would also be advised to wear masks to align with the new policy.
