Hospital bosses say Boris Johnson was wearing a mask ‘for majority of the visit’ after maskless photographs

Hospital bosses have said that the Prime Minister was wearing a mask “for the majority” of his visit, after he came under-fire for being photographed without one.

Johnson visited Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland on Monday (8 November) and received backlash after being pictured without wearing a face covering while inside the facility.

The healthcare trust said they have been since asked by members of the public what the rules are on mask wearing inside the hospital.

At a glance: 5 key points

• Boris Johnson visited Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland on Monday morning
• During his visit, the Prime Minister was pictured not wearing a face covering despite it being a mandatory rule for visitors to the hospital to wear one at all times
• The pictures caused backlash, with Johnson coming under-fire from members of the public and opposition politicians
• The incident has caused bosses at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to clarify rules and state that Johnson was wearing a mask “for the majority of the visit”
• Bosses say that all visitors should wear masks or face coverings while visiting hospitals in line with infection control measures

What has the healthcare trust said?

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has adamantly insisted that visitors wear masks despite Johnson not wearing a face covering during his visit.

They have also said that Johnson was “formally advised” on this rule prior to the visit.

They said: “In response to your communication about the coverage you have seen of the Prime Minister pictured without wearing a face mask at Hexham General Hospital, the Trust would like to assure you that infection prevention and control has always been and continues to be of utmost priority in all of our hospitals and in all other Trust sites.

“Our mask-wearing rules are very clear, and it is important to note that everyone that was part of the official visit to Hexham General Hospital on Monday 8 November were formally advised and reminded of these rules on the day.

“Information was included in the written programme.

“These rules include information about mask-wearing and other infection prevention and control measures, such as hand-washing, tucking away loose clothing (ties), and having rolled-up sleeves.”

Controversy began after Johnson was pictured meeting nurses and bumping elbows with them without wearing a mask.

Following the photo opportunity, the Prime Minister was then handed a mask which he put on after being handed it by an aide.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust aid that for “the majority of the visit” Johnson was wearing a mask, adding: “After the Prime Minister left a welcome meeting, he walked along a mezzanine corridor, for a very short period of time, without a mask.

“This brief moment was captured on camera. As soon as this was identified he was given a mask and he put it on.

“The Prime Minister did wear a mask for the majority of the visit. He didn’t have a mask on when he did his media interviews, but this was with agreement with everyone else in the room, who did wear a mask.

“We ask that everyone visiting our hospital sites continue to follow our infection control and prevention rules.

“We hope this helps to clarify the situation and we apologise for any upset this has caused.”

What have others said about the situation?

Among Johnson’s critics was Scottish Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, who tweeted: “Gobsmacked at that picture of the PM strutting around a hospital without a mask. The level of irresponsibility is astounding.

“We know masks protect others, why would you deliberately choose not to wear one when meeting health care workers? Just a complete & utter lack of leadership.”

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab backed Johnson up by lamenting that “all protocols and procedures” had been followed during the visit to Hexham General Hospital.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “I know the Prime Minister took the advice on the clinical setting that he was in and followed all the protocols and procedures that were applied there, and that’s what everyone should do.”

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