Monthly archives: September 2018
Domestic violence awareness month – October
Domestic abuse remains at epidemic levels, with two women a week killed by a former or current partner. Domestic violence happens in every community and affects people of all ages. While most victims are women and girls, domestic violence affects men and boys too.
The impact of domestic violence affects individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. It can have a detrimental impact on a child’s health and wellbeing from witnessing it in their home environment.
However, prevention is possible. If you have concerns about a patient or a member of your team please contact the Domestic Abuse Lead Nurse’s or our Independent Domestic Violence Advisors based in ED for support.
- Claire Holmes – Domestic Abuse Lead Nurse – 0121 507 2844 / holmes1@nhs.net
- Carolyn Hawkins – Domestic Abuse Lead Nurse – 0121 507 2844 / carolynhawkins@nhs.net
- Rachana Chauhan – SGH Independent Domestic Violence Advisor – 0121 507 3787 / 07823 336 964
- Sarah Markland– CITY Independent Domestic Violence Advisor – 0121 507 4829 / 07989 843 233
Look out for us in reception at City and Sandwell sites in October raising awareness and money for the Trust and Black Country Women’s Aid.
Heartbeat: Improved patient pathway for SAU
Our surgical assessment unit (SAU) at Sandwell Hospital recently implemented a new way of working, resulting in a smoother pathway for patients.
This new method will mean that patients who go to the emergency department will now have direct access to SAU, reducing waiting time for them. In addition, patients will have the opportunity to be booked in for time-slotted appointments meaning that waiting time the hospital will be vastly reduced.
Having time-slotted appointments for patients will give senior doctors on wards the ability to be able to action plan for patients prior to them visiting. It will also result in clinical colleagues across SAU becoming more productive as they will be able to plan ahead.
With this new system in place, GPs will have access to SAU so they have the ability to refer patients directly, likewise with clinics.
Senior Sister, Angie Smith believes efficiency will be improved as a result of this and said: “By introducing this new way of working will ensure our service as a whole will become more direct.
“There will be a better turnover of patients which will reduce patient waiting time, improving the patient journey at Sandwell Hospital.”
Matron, Amanda Green echoes these thoughts and added: “Patient satisfaction is a key priority within our organisation so to be able to improve the patient journey in any capacity can only be seen as a good thing.
“Time management can always be challenging when working in a consistently demanding clinical area so to be able reduce patient waiting times is always a positive.
“The new way of working was introduced on 15 August and we’re already reaping the rewards so long term, I think it will only prove beneficial for the Trust.”
Share your SWBH Benefits stories and be in with a chance to win prizes
Colleagues who regularly use SWBH Benefits and make huge savings along the way are being asked to take part in a new savers competition.
Prizes include:
- £100 vouchers for experiences which can be used at Alton Towers and many other days out courtesy of our staff benefits partner, Personal Group
- £100 towards the supermarket reloadable cards
- Plus two further £25 vouchers to be spent on the weekly food shop
Interested? All you have to do is contact the communications team to be part of a series of case studies looking at how colleagues are making savings on SWBH Benefits.
The top savers will scoop one of the £100 prizes and two runners up will take home the £25 vouchers. The competiton closes on 31 October just in time for Christmas.
To share your saver stories email the communications team on swbh.comms@nhs.net You can join SWBH Benefits at https://swbh.hapibenefits.com/
Updates to Trust antibiotic guidelines for Respiratory Tract Infections
Please be aware that there have been a number of changes to the trust antibiotic guidelines for respiratory tract infections which can be found here (https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/pharmacy/antibiotic-guidelines/respiratory-tract-infections/) and on Microguide.
These changes have been made following consultation with the respiratory team, pharmacy and microbiology and reflect new evidence, align our guidelines with national recommendations and help to comply with the requirements for antibiotic stewardship and our trust CQUIN target.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Conor Jamieson, Pharmacy Team Leader – Antimicrobial Therapy (conor.jamieson@nhs.net) or Dr Mark Li, Consultant Microbiologist – Antibiotic Lead (mark.li@nhs.net).
Oracle Cloud ERP update: 22-23 September
The Iprocurement system we currently use (Oracle Cloud ERP R12) is due an update to Release 13 (R13) between 22-23 September.
You will be able to continue to work on the current R12 version until 5pm on Friday 21 September. The system will then be closed and updated to commence again on Monday 24 September.
If you would usually raise requisitions over the weekend, could you please ensure that requisitions are raised before the 5pm deadline on Friday 21 September to ensure that there is no delay in processing.
There are some minor changes for requisitioners to the layout and display of the screen when you first log on and to the initial requisition page, however once past these, the screens will look the same after the current version. Functionality also remains the same.
We recommend that you log into the Test system via https://egtx-test.fs.em3.oraclecloud.com using your existing login details to familiarise yourself with the layout of the updated system.
Once the update is concluded you will be able to log into the system via the usual path on the Trust’s Connect page.
There are some refresher sessions available if required. Please contact either Sarah Gammidge-Jefferson on ext. 4697 or Rea Bell on ext. 4695 to book one.
If you have problems logging onto the test, please rest your password clicking the link and selecting ‘Forgot Password’.
Useful documents:
Unity end user training has started – are you booked?
https://youtu.be/RgzQ35aqeCQ
Unity end user training has now started and managers are being urged to book their teams onto the appropriate training course as soon as possible.
Some colleagues have already taken part in the training and we’ve received some fantastic feedback from Principal Physio – Frail Elderly and Medicine, Suzanne Miles who believes The training has been a really helpful refresher on how the system works. Be sure to check out this short video clip featuring Suzanne speaking about Unity.
Unity end user training will be delivered by role, in 24 different courses, see the course content brochure for more information. Courses will run over multiple dates until 26 October at Sandwell, City and Rowley hospitals.
Follow the link to see the dates available for each course https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/trustindigital/unity/unity-training/unity-end-user-training/. There is a ‘how to book Unity training’ guide available too for your reference.
If you would like a member of the Unity team to come to your area to assist with the booking of your staff, please contact swbh.informaticsbookings@nhs.net giving availability and a contact number and arrangements will be made at a suitable time for you. The team will also help with any queries regarding the training and the booking system.
There’s still time to Speak Up
Yesterday we held our third Speak Up Day – an opportunity for you to find out about the different ways to Speak Up, meet our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians and other leaders and take part in voting for the issues that you most want to get resolved.
The theme for our third Speak Up day was “Simple things done well.” We have heard through previous Speak Up events and through other channels that there are some issues that get in the way of you being able to provide great care, or doing your job well. Yesterday some of you visited the stands at City, Sandwell and Rowley and spoke to Freedom to Speak Up Guardians visiting our community bases about the importance of speaking up. Hundreds of you took the opportunity to vote for the top three things that you want us to prioritise resolving – either on the stands or online. If you haven’t already done so, there is still an opportunity to vote online on Connect.
Our Trust has a strong track record in encouraging people to Speak Up and there are a range of ways that you can do this including talking to your manager, contacting a Trade Union rep, raising an incident, writing to our Heartbeat letters page, ringing Safecall – our confidential whistleblowing line, or getting help from a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
By speaking up when we see something of concern we know we can create a safer organisation for patients, relatives and each other.
Your Christmas technology benefits – order by 18 November
Here’s your chance to take home the latest technology this holiday and spread the cost, with affordable monthly payments from your salary.
Key features of the benefit include:
- Exchange some of your pay for the latest technology
- Fantastic range of products from top brands including Apple, HP, Samsung, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sonos and more
- Spread the cost over 36 months Technology Benefit and 24 months Smartphone Benefit
- Extended warranty or insurance included with most main packages
- No credit checks, upfront costs or deposits
- Make savings on National Insurance
Note: The order window will be open between 1 October-18 November
View the full range of products at www.swbhbenefits.co.uk
Heartbeat: Triathlon triumph for 10 year old Stan
https://youtu.be/Ys2TBR6HYPA
A 10-year-old patient has raised nearly £1,500 for Your Trust Charity – after taking on a gruelling triathlon. The youngster waded through a freezing lake, completed 1km run and a 2km bike ride – despite suffering from the crippling illness Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP).
Stan Green decided to take part in the event to raise funds for the paediatrics department, as a way of saying thank you for the care he has received over the years.
He said: “When I was diagnosed with HSP, I never thought two years later I would be in a fit state to complete a triathlon. I even had to learn to ride a bike.
“But here I am today, having finished the challenge in 21 minutes. I’m really pleased to be able to do this and raise money for such a worthy cause.”
Stan’s problems began when he began suffering with cold-like symptoms. But this soon escalated and his mum Tegan rushed him to Sandwell Hospital when he complained of severe pain and developed a rash.
She told Heartbeat: “I was worried sick that Stan had meningitis especially when I spotted the rash. But it was the doctors here at Sandwell Hospital who were quick to realise that he actually had HSP. The early diagnosis meant that he was given immediate treatment, which helped his recovery immensely.”
Stan added: “The pain felt as though someone was twisting a knife into my stomach – it was horrendous. I do still suffer with pain; however it comes and goes in episodes.”
Added to Stan’s intermittent pain, is the fact that bumps and grazes have a long lasting effect on his body and he also experiences swelling of his joints.
Tegan explained: “Stan is always covered in bruises – even the slightest touch will leave him black and blue. However, the treatment and care Stan is receiving from the doctors and nurses is amazing and has certainly made a difference to the severity of his condition. I know of another child from another area who has HSP, and her recovery has not been great as there was a delay in diagnosis.”
As well as suffering from HSP, Stan also has chronic asthma and a heart murmur.
Amanda Winwood, Fundraising Manager for Your Trust Charity, said: “Stan is an amazing individual who is not only brave, but also one of the most generous fundraisers I have come across.
“He managed to put aside his illnesses to take on this very difficult challenge. Not only did he complete it in an impressive time, but he also raised a tremendous amount of money for Your Trust Charity, which will go straight into the paediatric pot.”
The money will be used to buy more game consoles for older children who are treated at the hospital.
Speak Up Day – 19 September 2018
Today marks our third Speak Up Day – an opportunity for you to find out about the different ways to Speak Up, meet our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians and other leaders and take part in voting for the issue that you most want to get resolved.
Our Trust has a strong track record in encouraging people to Speak Up and there are a range of ways that you can do this including talking to your manager, contacting a Trade Union rep, raising an incident, writing to our Heartbeat letters page, ringing Safecall – our confidential whistleblowing line, or getting help from a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian.
Our theme for today is “Simple things done well.” We have heard through previous Speak Up events and through other channels that there are some issues that get in the way of you being able to provide great care, or doing your job well. Today we want you to vote for the top three things that you want us to prioritise resolving.
You can vote below or visit one of our Speak Up stands at City Hospital (Arches entrance), Rowley Regis Hospital (main foyer), Sandwell Hospital (Hallam Restaurant foyer).
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Of course, we want to resolve all these issues, but your vote will help us focus on what we need to sort out first.
Do take time today to visit the Speak Up stands, cast your votes, meet our Guardians and talk to your colleagues about speaking up. By speaking up when we see something of concern we know we can create a safer organisation for patients, relatives and each other.
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