Transparent medical masks ‘are a game changer’ for deaf patients

NHS staff in Scotland will begin to use new transparent face masks this month to help with lip reading.

The masks, made by Dumfriesshire PPE supplier Alpha Solway, have been approved for use in health and social care settings.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘Although face masks are essential to reduce the spread of coronavirus, it can cause difficulties for people who rely on lip reading or have other communication needs.

‘Patients and staff have rightly been calling for an alternative to the usual surgical face masks in clinical settings, so I am pleased NHS Scotland is rolling out these new, innovative transparent masks.’

Kamini Gadhok, chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, said: ‘Many people with communication needs will benefit as the masks will help address the challenges they may face interacting with others.’

Mike Hobday of the National Deaf Children’s Society said: ‘Transparent face masks will be an absolute game changer for deaf children, young people and adults alike because almost all of them rely on lip reading and facial expressions.’