FFP3 Mask Fit Testing at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

With an outbreak of measles anticipated in the coming weeks, it is essential that any clinical staff have access to the correct PPE. Measles is highly contagious and is transmitted via airborne transmission and therefore any clinician seeing suspected or confirmed measles needs to wear appropriate PPE, including the FFP3 mask. It is an HSE legal requirement that FFP3 masks are correctly fit tested. This applies to all, regardless of vaccination status as we have seen breakthrough infections with clinical staff in earlier outbreaks. Those who have had no MMR doses and those who are immunosuppressed are most vulnerable and should be prioritised for FFP3 fit testing or, better, deployed away from risk of communicable disease. Vulnerable groups include unvaccinated individuals, pregnant women, immunocompromised patients and the chronically ill.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals has set up sessions on Tuesday 19 March. A number of 30-minute slots are available to book.

Primary care staff must take their own FFP3 masks to the fit testing session, and are encouraged to order FFP3 masks from the PPE portal (call 0800 876 6802 if you do not already have an account). They are free of charge to order.

Facial hair – stubble and beards – make it impossible to get a good seal of the mask to the face. If you are clean-shaven when wearing FFP3 masks this will help prevent leakage of contaminated air around the edges of the mask and into your lungs. If there are good reasons for having a beard (eg for religious reasons), alternative forms of RPE, that do not rely on a tight fit to the face, are available (powered hoods) If powered hoods are purchased by practices it is important that decontamination process is in place.

The testing will take place in the portacabin in the car park at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, FY3 8NR.

Attendees are able to park directly outside for the duration of their booked session.

These initial sessions will be available on a first come, first served basis. Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB continues to work on providing further opportunities across the footprint to get staff fit tested.

Please contact SVOC (healthierlsc.svoc-info.c19vacc@nhs.net) if you require any further assistance.