PRACTICE SUPPORT: RPE FACE FIT TESTING
Supporting safe respiratory protection across our member practices
Ensuring staff are properly protected when using Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), including FFP3 masks, is essential for maintaining safe clinical environments.
Mid Hampshire Healthcare offers a face fit testing service to support member practices in meeting their health and safety obligations and ensuring staff are safely and effectively protected.
What is face fit testing?
Face fit testing is a process used to check that a specific type and size of mask fits an individual correctly, providing the level of protection it is designed for.
A poor fit can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the mask, meaning staff may not be adequately protected when delivering care.
Why is this important?
Face fit testing is a legal requirement under health and safety regulations when using tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (such as FFP3 masks).
It ensures that: -
- Staff are protected from airborne risks.
- Equipment is being used correctly.
- Practices remain compliant with national guidance.
What does our service include?
Mid Hampshire Healthcare provides a co-ordinated, practice-based approach to face fit testing.
Our service includes: -
- On-site face fit testing for staff.
- Support in identifying appropriate mask types and sizes.
- Guidance on RPE use and best practice.
- Documentation to support compliance and audit requirements.
Testing is carried out by trained and competent staff, ensuring a consistent and high-quality approach across practices.
Who is this for?
This service is available to: -
- All member practices.
- Clinical and non-clinical staff required to wear RPE.
Practices are responsible for: -
- Supplying their own masks for testing.
- Ensuring staff attend booked sessions.
How to access the service
If your practice would like to arrange face fit testing, please contact the team to discuss availability and scheduling.
We will work with you to: -
- Co-ordinate suitable dates.
- Identify the number of staff requiring testing.
- Ensure the process runs efficiently with minimal disruption.
Costs
Practices will be responsible for: -
- The cost of masks used for testing.
- Any agreed service charges (where applicable).
Further details can be provided on request.
Booking & Process
We aim to make arranging face fit testing as simple and efficient as possible for practices.
How to book
To request face fit testing for your practice, please contact us via email with the following information: -
- Practice name
- Main contact (name, role, and contact details)
- Number of staff requiring testing
- Types of masks to be tested (if known)
- Preferred dates/times
📧 Nikki.Cobby@nhs.net
What happens next
Once we receive your request, we will: -
- Review your requirements and confirm availability.
- Agree a suitable date and time for testing.
- Provide confirmation and any pre-session requirements.
Before the session
To ensure testing can be carried out safely and effectively: -
- Staff must be clean shaven where the mask seals to the face (where applicable).
- Staff should bring or have access to the masks being used in practice.
- A suitable room should be available for testing (well-ventilated and private where possible).
We will provide any additional guidance ahead of the session if needed.
On the day
- Testing will be carried out by a trained and competent tester.
- Each individual test takes approximately 15–20 minutes.
- Results will be recorded and provided to the practice.
After the session
Practices will receive documentation confirming: -
- Pass/fail outcomes
- Mask type and size fitted
- Any follow-up actions or re-testing requirements will be highlighted
Cancellations & changes
If you need to amend or cancel your booking, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reallocate capacity.
Accessible Communication for Everyone
We are committed to making our services accessible to all.
We support UK Relay, enabling Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired individuals to contact us using a textphone, the Relay UK app, or a relay assistant.
If you require information in another language or need translation or interpretation services (including British Sign Language), please contact us and we will be happy to help.
***Last Updated 07/04/2026
