Monthly archives: April 2019
Birmingham Local Authority email change
The email address for the Birmingham Local Authority has changed to mcadolsadmin@birmingham.gov.uk, Please ensure you use this email address when sending relevant DoLS for this area so they are processed correctly.
For more information please see Applying-for-Deprivation-of-Liberty-flow-chart updated email address.
Holy week and Easter services at City and Sandwell
We will be hosting a variety of services across the Trust to celebrate Easter throughout April at both the City and Sandwell chapels.
- 19 April: Good Friday holy reflections – City and Sandwell chapels (all day drop-in)
- 21 April: Easter Sunday service – Sandwell chapel, 9.15am-9.45am and City chapel 11.15am-11.45am
For more information please call ext. 3552.
Flu campaign 2018/19 – we need your feedback
Thank you to all of the colleagues who had their flu vaccination last season.
We managed to achieve an amazing 83 per cent of patient facing colleagues getting protected against the flu virus. This is a huge achievement and sincere thanks to all of you who helped.
In order to help plan the next flu campaign, we would appreciate your feedback on the flu campaign so we can help improve the next one which will begin in October.
Please follow the link below to complete the evaluation form which will only take you a few minutes. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LMRCD3X
Favourite Fairs – make Unity work for you
Changing the way you work is never easy, particularly when you’re focused on patient care. I know that the introduction of Unity will be a testing time for everyone, requiring us all to pull together as we get used to the new system.
I can assure you that the effort will be worth it in the long run. The benefits of all working from one system, with a shared view of our patients’ records, are clear to see.
To help make the transition to Unity as smooth as possible, the informatics team are running several events over the coming weeks, called Favourite Fairs. They will take place between 29 April and 11 May, starting at 7.30am to support night staff. There are even Saturday sessions at City and Sandwell.
All you need to do is drop by to ensure you have access to Unity and spend 20-40 minutes setting up your ‘favourites’– the tests, medications or processes you most frequently request. This will make Unity much quicker and easier for you to use once it goes live.
If you will be using Unity as part of your role, it is essential that you attend a Favourite Fair so speak with your manager to arrange a suitable time.
A preparation sheet is available for you to complete prior to attending the event. These are available from the roadshows and clinical areas, or can be downloaded from Connect. Don’t worry if you’re not sure about what to do on the day as members of the Unity team will be there to lend a hand if you get stuck.
We’re all responsible for making Unity a success and Favourite Fairs are an important step along the way. We look forward to seeing you there.
A full list of dates, and information on how to prepare, can be found on Connect. Leaflets are also being handed out at roadshows so come along to find out more if you haven’t already.
#Hellomynameis Sharon and I’m an Informatics Matron
#Unityiscoming
Heartbeat: Tea and cake to thank volunteers
Our volunteer service hosted a coffee morning at the Education Centre at Sandwell Hospital to thank the volunteers for their commitment and hard work.
The coffee morning was a success with 27 volunteers attending to socialise, drink tea and eat cake! This was a great opportunity for long term volunteers to mingle with new volunteers and discuss what volunteering means in practice.
The coffee morning also gave the service a chance to update volunteers on any forthcoming changes.
Liza Gill, one of our volunteer service managers thanked the volunteers and praised them for their consistent dedication. She said: “2019 has seen an incredible start for the volunteer service, with a number of new recruits ready to assist patients and staff within areas that would benefit from volunteer support.
Volunteers play a fundamental role in improving patient experience and we truly appreciate their significance. Coffee mornings are a way to showcase our appreciation to volunteers, so they know how much they are valued.”
Usha Sahib, who has been volunteering for just over a year at Sandwell Hospital as a wayfinder told us: “I love catching up with other volunteers and sharing stories about how we help patients. Being invited to coffee mornings makes this easier and keeps us in the loop. It really brings us together and shows how much we are appreciated.”
Heartbeat: DHL deliver donations to delighted children’s ward
DHL, the national distribution company, have kindly donated brand new appliances and funded a children’s Christmas party for the paediatric ward at Sandwell Hospital.
After hosting a variety of fundraising events at their local offices, workers at DHL wanted to make a difference by giving back to the local community and decided to support Sandwell Hospital, specifically the children and families treated on Lyndon 1.
Joanne Wright, Ward Manager on Lyndon 1 said: “On behalf of all the staff and patients on the ward, I would like to say a massive thank you to DHL.
“Christmas is a difficult time for young patients to be in hospital, so we’re delighted that we have a party planned to make it that little more special this year.
“The kitchen appliances, including the fridge that has been donated, will improve the ward and make our facilities better for outpatients, their families and our staff.”
Your Trust Charity helped facilitate the generous donation from DHL. Amanda Winwood, Fundraising Manager said: “One of key aims at the charity is to enhance the patient journey wherever possible and what better way to do this than to host a children’s Christmas party to enjoy around the festive period. It can be difficult for anybody to be admitted to hospital during Christmas, especially children, so for us to be able to bring happiness to them around this time is truly special.”
She added: “We’re always thankful to local businesses for supporting us in any capacity, helping ensure our patients have the best quality of care when they use our facilities; whether that be at Sandwell, City, Rowley, Leasowes or any of our other community sites.”
For more information or to fundraise for Your Trust Charity, please contact amanda.winwood@nhs.net.
Dementia open day: 22 May
Would you like to find out about more about dementia services in Sandwell?
Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are hosting at open day on Wednesday 22 May, 10am-2pm in the Lighthouse at Edward Street Hospital where there will be a range of stalls with information about local dementia services.
For more information please contact michael.ridley-dash@nhs.net or call 0121 612 8219.
Health and Wellbeing Newsletter: April-May
The latest edition of the health and wellbeing newsletter is now available for all colleagues.
To download, please click here.
Activating safety needle guards on Clexane and Inhixa syringes
The method of activating the needle guard on Clexane and Inhixa syringes is different from others. Colleagues should familiarise themselves with the different processes for activating the needle guards, as outlined in the Inhixa and Clexane information sheet.
Ward managers must ensure that all colleagues are familiar with the different procedures at safety briefings or team meetings. Before administering a dose, check the brand being used and follow the correct steps to activate the needle guard.
Note: Clexane and Inhixa have different colours for the enoxaparin unit syringe content. Select products carefully.
For more information please contact the pharmacy department:
- Sandwell pharmacy, ext. 3783
- City pharmacy, ext. 5263
Returning NHSSC items
With immediate effect NHSSC are restricting items that are returned to them for a refund. Any items which have a “blue diamond” or “purple e” symbol next to them on the ordering page cannot be returned. With this in mind, please ensure you are ordering the correct item and quantity.
With regards to standard stock items held in the NHSSC warehouse the following criteria has to be meet in order to return them for a refund:
- Reported within three working days from delivery to the Trust. Contact the procurement team who can arrange for the return (ext .4937, 4938, 4699 and 4939 for City and ext. 2824, 2823 and 2689 at Sandwell).
- Return the item “fit for resale” – unopened, not ripped, not written on.
- The items need to be over the value of £10 per product line.
Note: It’s imperative that orders are placed accurately as it could result in money being wasted if we are unable to use the products within the Trust.
For more information, please contact Lisa Southall on ext. 4938.
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