Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2023 to Question 141370 on Protective Clothing, if he will publish the evidence that supports the recommendation for patients at high risk of infection due to immunosuppression to continue wearing masks in NHS settings; and if he will undertake a cost benefit analysis of that recommendation.

The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), published by NHS England in April 2022, is used by health care providers in all healthcare settings in England and is complimented by pathogen/disease specific guidance produced by UK Health Security Agency.

The NIPCM recommends that, following risk assessment, face coverings can be worn by patients as a form of source control, providing this does not compromise their clinical care or safety. This would include patients deemed to be at increased risk of infection, such as those who are immuno-compromised, and during periods where local epidemiology indicates a likely increase in risk of nosocomial transmission of a specific pathogen. At local level, the decision regarding the implementation of this measure should be informed by clinical judgement and risk assessment.

Recommendations regarding the use of face masks is informed by a literature review conducted by Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nipcm.hps.scot.nhs.uk/media/2113/2022-01-06-surgical-masks-sicps-and-tbps-v20-final.pdf

As set out in the United Kingdom’s five year national action plan for tackling antimicrobial resistance, NHS England’s National Infection Prevention and Control Team is currently undertaking literature reviews to support the NIPCM. While this process is on-going, the scientific and epidemiological data and literature remain under constant review.

The Department’s first priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of patients and staff, with no current plans to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the recommendation.