Monthly archives: January 2019
Ready Now programme – are you a senior BAME leader ready to make a difference?
Ready Now is a year-long innovative and inspirational positive action programme that takes senior leaders (at band 8a or above or the clinical equivalent) from BAME (black, Asian or minority ethnic) backgrounds on a transformational learning journey, helping them to realise their potential and take that next step up to a more senior role.
Please see help relevant help sheets below:
For more information please contact naomi.brennan@hee.nhs.uk or call 07979 701485.
Heartbeat: Local MP meets the Midland Met workers back on site
John Spellar, MP for Warley took time out of his busy schedule to drop in on Midland Met in December to see for himself how the building is shaping up following the recommencement of work on site.
The visit came ahead of our organisation beginning the process of tendering for a contractor to complete the construction of the new emergency hospital. Building giant Balfour Beatty started work last month on the interim repair, making good the parts of the building that were left open to the elements since work stopped in January 2018.
Chief Executive Toby Lewis said: “We are pleased that Midland Met’s local MP, Mr John Spellar, took time out to visit the site and see the cranes in action once again.
“He has been very supportive of our efforts to ensure we have the funding in place and the right construction arrangements to finish the hospital, as an essential acute hospital which will transform the health and wellbeing of the local population, and bring investment and regeneration opportunities to the nearby area.”
Mr Spellar commented: “I am delighted to see work starting again on the site of this long awaited and much needed project.
Toby Lewis and his team have worked tirelessly to bring this about. The people of Sandwell and West Birmingham have waited too long for this hospital and I have urged the management and Government to get this completed as soon as possible.”
During the visit Mr Spellar met with Trust Advisor, Dave Hollywood, along with Colin Melvin, Forklift Driver, Dalvir Bains, Gateman and Traffic Marshall, Jim Cole, Labourer, Robert Wood, Carpenter, Andy Fage, Project Manager and Rumena Sufian, Project Support Officer.
Change in IVIg application process
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is in very short supply nationally and it’s use varies from centre to centre.
NHSE have therefore established a Sub-Regional Immunoglobulin Advisory Panel (SRIAP) at UHNM and from 1 Feb 2019 the application process for IVIg will change.
This is to ensure IVIg is not used in conditions where there is no good evidence of efficacy and that recommended dosages are used.
- A new application form will be used and can be downloaded from the IVIg Webpage https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/pharmacy/immunoglobulin-ivig/. This will have to be signed electronically.
- The applicant must not just give a diagnosis but indicate why IVIg is the treatment of choice in accordance with NHSE guidelines. http://www.igd.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/dh_129666.pdf.
- Outcome criteria must be included i.e. how do you intent to measure the effectiveness of IVIg treatment in this patient?
- Guidance for Haematology, Immunology and Neurology has been superseded and is available on the Website.
- If the application is incomplete, there will be a delay in agreeing to and issuing IVIg.
- For urgent, single course requests that are commissioned, the local IAP will agree if the correct information is supplied and the clinical indication is met. The SRIAP will audit these applications and over turn any decisions they find incorrect.
- For urgent out of hours requests, the on call pharmacist will defer supplying IVIg if the application does not fulfil the above criteria.
- Applications for non-commissioned indications and for continuous use will be forwarded to the SRIAP and a response will be given within 5 working days. There will be an appeals process.
- The consultant responsible for requesting IVIg will be required to provide outcome data in a timely fashion.
Note: Please make sure that if junior staff are completing the applications, they are aware of the need to provide all the data required.
Paroseals naming competition
Aren’t they just adorable. Meet our three newest recruits. The cuddly Paroseals help stimulate patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. We need your help to name them and there are prizes on offer for the winning entries. Email your suggestions to Shila.patel@nhs.net before Thursday 31 January at 5pm and we will announce the winning names on Friday 1 February.
Heartbeat: Nursing career escalator – the fast track to success
Over 40 band five nurses, who scored 4A or 4B in their PDR, have been selected to join our nursing career escalator programme.
This programme is the first of its kind, both locally and nationally, and is designed to support, retain and develop talented colleagues, whether they want to develop their skills within a clinical role or aspire to move into a management position.
The programme will see successful applicants embark on an exciting learning journey of local and national training programmes, such as single improvement methodology, developing personal resilience and emotional intelligence.
Heartbeat spoke to Head of Education for Nursing and Midwifery, Helen Cope to find out more.
“The nursing career escalator programme is spearheading the introduction of development opportunities for colleagues,” said Helen.
“It offers participants bespoke development opportunities which are tailored to their individual needs and aspirations – whether that be clinical or developing their managerial skills.
“Participants also have opportunities to shadow clinicians, develop clinical skills and knowledge, as well as undertaking the accredited manager courses.
“All of the participants will also develop a competency portfolio throughout the programme detailing, documenting and demonstrating their progress and development within the programme.”
One of the first people to receive their invitation was Staff Nurse, Sam Metcalf who has worked at our organisation for over 18 years and she told Heartbeat of her delight at being selected.
“Following my PDR my manager recognised that I am keen to learn, develop and progress and when I was scored so highly, they spoke to me about the career
Latest edition of Heartbeat now online
The latest edition of Heartbeat is now available to view online. This edition of Heartbeat features our collaboration with local GP partnerships and the fantastic achievements of our 2018 apprentices in the Trust.
Unity – informatics ward clerk support
If you are looking for advice, guidance and support on Unity and you’re a ward clerk, you now have one of the newest members of the Unity team to call upon. Chaleka is providing support and coaching to ward clerks and admin colleagues throughout the Trust on the use of CapMan (Capacity Management) on Unity. Chaleka will also be the team leader providing support during next month’s full dress rehearsal for all ward clerks.
If you would like to get in contact you can reach Chaleka by email Chaleka.palmer@nhs.net, ext. 3508 or bleep 5011.
Save on tickets to The Photography Show, NEC Birmingham: 16-19 March
Whether you’re out rain or shine looking for that perfect sunset shot or forever capturing snaps of the family and you’re looking to take your love of photography to the next level, The Photography Show has it all.
Head to the NEC Birmingham between 16-19 March to try and buy the latest cameras and accessories from over 250 leading brands, get tips and advice on how to enhance your photography and create (and edit) stunning stills and film, and be inspired by globally renowned photographers and the stories behind their iconic images.
Save £3 off standard adult entry tickets (code NECPTPS18) or Buy 4, get 1 FREE with groups of 5 or more (bring your colleagues along – code GRP1TPS19) – book tickets here.
SWBH Green Impact 2019 – get involved
Green Impact is a behaviour change programme which supports colleagues to make sustainable changes to their department.
It is a simple and effective way for colleagues to embed positive environmental change within the workplace, as well as improve their health and wellbeing, connect with other colleagues across the organisation and make positive changes to the environment.
Read the information for new Green Impact teams to find out how you can get involved.
For more information please contact Francesca.silcocks@nhs.net
Heartbeat: Smokefree countdown continues
From 5 July 2019, our sites will become free from tobacco smoke. This commitment was made by the Trust Board on the NHS’s 70th birthday last year. The “200 days to go” countdown to smoke free sites was marked on 17 December with messages to colleagues, patients and families that now is the time to quit and make the most of the support on offer with time to spare before the ban.
Last month we launched a survey to smokers and others, inviting them to share their views and suggestions for how this transition could be best managed. Almost 200 people have responded to date with 92 per cent indicating that they are aware of the forthcoming smoking ban.
Smokers who responded were supportive of free nicotine replacement therapy and initiatives to swap cigarettes for alternative material including vaping products and 70 per cent of people said they had tried to stop or cut down previously. Some people felt the ban would have no impact on their own smoking habits whereas others stated it would encourage them to quit.
You can still share your views by completing our short online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JMXNK8R
There has been overwhelming support for the ban within our organisation and in the local community.
Local GP, Dr Imran Zaman said: “I’ve just heard about the Trust’s 200 days to go smoke-free initiative and I think it’s a fantastic idea. As GPs we often see patients who are suffering from smoke-related conditions, from lung cancer to COPD and so I fully endorse and get behind this.”
Our Emergency Planning Officer, Phil Stirling is a smoker, but he now vapes at work rather than smoking cigarettes in preparation for the ban. He told Heartbeat:
“I decided to take up vaping rather than smoking. I’ve smoked since I was 17 years old, but I only smoke at the weekend now.
To be honest it’s not pleasant to use the smoking shelters to vape as you do pick up the smell of smoke even from just spending a couple of minutes there. That will be a big change once the ban comes in, as although there will be fewer shelters, they will be for vaping only.”
Kiran Mann, Sister on OPAU is in support of the ban. She said: “I think the Trust going smoke free is a brilliant idea. I think it will encourage people to stop smoking because there are no designated smoking areas, so they will have to go further out.
I think it will encourage people who want to quit altogether…hopefully it will be a great success.”
Respiratory Consultant, Dr Arvind Rajasekaran said: “Lung cancer is the largest cause of cancer- related deaths in the UK and lung cancer is principally caused by smoking cigarettes. The decision to go smoke free will be part of a wider action to increase awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and also our efforts to help people to give us this habit.”
Dr Manir Aslam is a GP at Broadway Health Centre. He said: “People don’t expect to go to hospital and work in a smoky environment so if you’re thinking about giving up, now is your chance.”
There is lots of help on offer for smokers who want to cut down and quit. Visit Connect for the latest information and contact the health and wellbeing service for details of clinics at Rowley Regis, City and Sandwell Hospitals with new sessions on Saturdays.
← Older items