• Rules on wearing face masks at Royal Bolton Hospital relaxed after reduction in flu cases
• Masks are no longer required in clinical and inpatient areas, such as wards
• People can help reduce spread of infection by regularly washing hands

Rules on wearing face masks at Royal Bolton Hospital have been relaxed following a reduction in the number of flu cases.

Thanks to the action and support of staff, patients and visitors, cases of flu have fallen and face masks are no longer required in clinical and inpatient areas, such as wards.

People can continue to choose to wear a face mask if they feel safer and supplies of masks are still available throughout the hospital.

Masks were introduced on January 6, 2025 to address the high and rising number of flu cases in the hospital at the start of the new year.

Tyrone Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

The action to introduce face masks, alongside other supportive measures, has helped us to reduce cases of flu which allows us to update our approach to managing winter illnesses.

“Whilst we have passed the peak of flu infection, we’re continuing to ask for your support to help prevent the spread of illnesses and infections.

“All of our staff, patients and visitors must regularly wash their hands, which is especially important when you’re entering and leaving wards or other clinical areas. I would also encourage people to book their flu vaccines to help protect themselves and those around them.

“Thank you for helping us to reduce the risk of infection and to protect our patients, staff and communities.

Handwashing facilities are at the entrances of all inpatient departments and most clinical areas, as well as in toilets across the hospital site.

All NHS frontline health workers have also been offered the COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and encouraged to protect themselves and those they care for.

People across Bolton are also being urged to get their flu vaccines by using the online ‘find a pharmacy’ service to find a pharmacy that offers free flu vaccinations. This service is open until 31 March 2025.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. Find who can get the flu vaccine for free.

If you are not able to get a free flu vaccination, you may be able to pay for it at some pharmacies