COVID-19: trust finds offbeat way to reinforce safety rules

Quirky posters are being used by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to remind staff of the importance of continuing to observe social distancing requirements

A trust has developed a set of quirky posters to remind staff to continue to socially distance despite changes to COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Featuring images of face masks, visors, crash trolleys and hospital beds, the posters are being used by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to demonstrate the two metre social distancing rule in a different way.

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In one poster a picture of a visor is shown between two people with the warning: ‘In order to keep a safe social distance keep the width of approximately 18 visors apart.’

Other posters feature pictures of face masks, stethoscopes, a patient bed and a trolley. 

Chief nurse and director of patient safety and quality Julie Lane said the trust wanted to reinforce social distancing rules despite the lockdown being relaxed.

Workspaces configured to support social distancing

‘Personal protective equipment has become a way of life for colleagues on the front line, more than at any time before,’ she said.

‘Using some instantly recognisable everyday objects should hopefully attract staff attention.’

• RELATED: COVID-19: nurses find ways to connect with patients despite PPE and social distancing

Ms Lane said she is proud of the way staff have taken up socially distancing at work and the trust was doing its part to ensure workspaces were configured to support social distancing.

She said: ‘Our staff have responded brilliantly so far, we are so very proud – we just need to keep going, to keep pushing on.’

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