Doncaster hospital in face mask appeal: Here's how you can make them to help

Health professionals at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals are asking local hobbyists to help to create cloth face coverings for the use of visitors to the Trust’s hopsitals –Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Montagu Hospital in Mexborough and Worksop's Bassetlaw Hospital.

Bosses are keen to stress that these donated items are not to replace the use of surgical masks or FFP3 respirators within the Trust’s clinical and other appropriate settings, and the organisation will not be changing any of its current and existing policies on the use of Personal Protection Equipment.

A spokesman for DBTH said: “Simple, double-ply face masks can, in some instances, slow the spread of Covid-19 and help those people who are currently unknowingly living with the virus from transmitting it to others.

”This is particularly useful when individuals are coming to and from the hospital sites, or using things such as public transport.”

The trust has issued instructions on how to make masks, published below and contributions can be sent to DBTH Face Covers, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road Doncaster South Yorkshire DN2 5LT.

Alternatively, people can bring items to Main Stores within the Gate 5 entrance of the address above. From here they will be distributed across all hospital sites within the Trust.

A sewn cloth face covering

You will need:

Two 25cm x 25cm squares of cotton fabric

Two 20cm pieces of elastic (or string or cloth strips)

Needle and thread

Scissors

Step 1: Cut out two 25cm x 25cm squares of cotton fabric. Stack the 2 squares on top of each other.

Step 2: Fold over one side by 0.75cm and hem, then repeat on the opposite side. Make 2 channels by folding the double layer of fabric over 1.5cm along each side and stitching this down.

Step 3: Run a 20cm length of elastic (or string or cloth strip) through the wider hem on each side of the face covering. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle to thread it through. Tie the ends tightly.

If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the covering behind your head.

Step 4: Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the covering on the elastic and adjust so the covering fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping. These elastic loops fit over the ears.

Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.

This information is a guide to making a simple face covering. The Trust does not endorse any particular method and other instructions are widely available online.

Always take care to use equipment safely to avoid injury. Children should only follow these instructions under the supervision of adults.