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Covid-19 Patients refusing to wear face coverings

We have been asked on a number of occasions if practices can refuse to see patients that will not wear a face covering in a face-to-face consultation.

You cannot refuse to see someone on the basis that they refuse to wear a face covering.

However, there are factors that you can control:

Viral exposure seems to depend on ventilation, occupancy, and exposure time - https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3223 - this article is an interesting read.

It is reasonable for the practice to alter some of these other factors which may result in an appointment that is less convenient for the patient, but  this needs to be balanced against the increased risks to staff and other patients that are associated with not wearing a mask.

 

 

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Updated on Monday, 24 October 2022 1696 views