This was a complaint I raised to Springhill Hospice Broad Lane, Rochdale after they requested to see my partner’s face mask exemption card upon entering the shop.

Name:	Helen
Email:	……………@btinternet.com
Comment:	I am disappointed that you are forcing your customers to wear face masks, when some people have exemptions like mental illness, breathing difficulties, and anxiety. My partner attended your shop today who was forceably told to put on a mask, even though he told you that he had an exemption. This is bullying and discrimination against mental illness and I shall be reporting this to the appropriate body. Masks clearly provide no help against Coronavirus, contrary to what the UK Governments and the medias state. The Government have been chopping and changing their plan since early March. Masks can lead to something called hypoxia and / or hypercapnia, which is caused from excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. This can lead to death. I myself suffer from anxiety and I have an exemption and if I was forceably told to put on a mask, I would take the manager’s details and report you for discrimination, and also to the relevant body. It is wrong to shame and discriminate others who have health difficulties and mental health. Until you have experienced mental illness first hand, I suggest that you back off from this bullying and intimidation and use some common sense. People are not the enemy, and neither is the virus. Kind regards Helen

Response was sent on 5 August 2020.

Dear Helen

We have now concluded our investigations into the complaint you have made (below).

First of all, I apologise again for the upset that this situation has caused for you and your partner.

When guidance was originally issued by our shop manager, he had made it clear that there are exemptions to the government guidance to wear face masks in shops. Unfortunately, some staff and volunteers had heard through the media that exemption cards must be provided, and of course this is not the case.

To this end, we have now undertaken a series of face-to-face briefings with staff and volunteers, and made sure they are clear that there are exemptions to the guidance.

I do hope you are satisfied that we have looked into this issue, and that the action we have taken will stop a situation arising like this in the future.

Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention, and apologies once again for the upset this has caused.

Best wishes

 

Julie Halliwell (Mrs)
Chief Executive

Springhill Hospice (Rochdale)
Broad Lane
Rochdale
OL16 4PZ
Telephone 01706 649920
Web www.springhill.org.uk

Incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee No 2325905
Registered Office as above
Registered Charity No 701798