This week’s blog is the next one in the series being written by @DrEvonneTCurran.
Introduction
The first tweet is from an NHS Trust explaining their position to reduce the use of masks by staff, patients, and visitors (Figure 1). The second is from a different NHS Trust showing how they are deploying High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in their wards and clinical areas (Figure 2(. Both Trusts must have assessed that no one will be harmed by their planned actions. As the actions are different, one adding and one removing controls, clearly, one of their assessments must include erroneous assumptions of safety.
The first tweet
Let’s start with the rule – what relevant Fundamental Standard does the Care Quality Commission (CQC) require for people safety:
You must not be given unsafe care or treatment or be put at risk of harm that could be avoided.
Figure 1: The first tweet

For the first NHS Trust to meet this fundamental standard, and for there to be safety going forward with reduced mask usage, there would need to be zero nosocomial covid infections at present, and an assessment that reducing controls would present no additional risk.
Continue reading “A tale of 2 tweets: 1 of which must include erroneous assumptions of safety”