Written question WQ90526
- Asked by
- Delyth JewellPlaid
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
What discussions has the Welsh Government had about improving knowledge of airborne infections by providing public health information on the use of respiratory masks and HEPA air filtration?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The Welsh Government works closely with Public Health Wales on public health information about all communicable diseases, including airborne infections. Our guidance for the general public on the management of acute respiratory infections includes when consideration of wearing a face mask may be appropriate.
With regards to HEPA air filter purification, work is ongoing with the NHS including representatives from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), to validate effectiveness in healthcare settings. Trials on their use within NHS Wales are being undertaken in conjunction with several Health Boards to try to validate their effectiveness before recommending their widescale use within the healthcare environment.