Monthly archives: October 2019

AHP Day

To celebrate Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day, throughout this week we will be showcasing different AHPs from across the organisation and finding out what AHP day means to them.

Today we meet Ruth Williams, clinical directorate lead (iCares) who talks about the fantastic work AHPs do across the Trust and their value to the NHS as a whole.

Be sure to check out the short clip featuring Ruth.

Heartbeat: Elderly care welcomes new blood as team hosts recruitment day

As part of our organisation’s ongoing recruitment efforts, City Hospital hosted a recruitment day this month looking for additional Band 5 staff nurses to join a team which has a focus on dealing with the needs of more elderly patients.

The weather was more than a little confused on 12 September. Blue skies or overcast? Rain or shine? Luckily inside the Postgraduate Centre there were plenty of bright and breezy colleagues ready to welcome curious newcomers or the intrigued but unfamiliar looking to find out more about what makes the acute elderly care team tick.

It is an exciting time in elderly care as our team are at the start of putting a focus on frailty, introducing new competencies for our staff nurses with the Clinical Frailty Scale in mind. As well as incorporating new training to challenge and enhance their skillsets. Frailty is a featured part of the NHS long term plan and a subject that will become ever more important within our ageing population.

Amir Ali, Head of Engagement, Retention and Nurse Recruitment, told Heartbeat that there was interest from the moment the doors opened.

“We had people waiting for us at the door, which was great to see and as we speak there are potential candidates speaking with colleagues and getting interviews.”

And, by the time we had finished discussing the matter with Amir, the team had acquired their first new staff member on conditional offer.

“I came to this event and it was literally amazing,” future colleague Seena told Heartbeat. “I got to meet the sister in charge and managers who were very welcoming. They gave me exact information about how the elderly ward is run at City Hospital and Sandwell Hospital and gave me a run down on what to expect in the future. I’m happy I was able to come here today and be accepted.”

Seena will join other newcomers on D11 and D26 wards at City Hospital or Lyndon 4 and 5 at Sandwell.

10 per cent discount on King Camps for NHS colleagues

Kings Camps are the UK’s leading activity camps, creating incredible school holiday experiences to get children aged 5-17 active, having fun and learning together.

Kings Camps are offering all NHS staff 10 per cent discount. All you need to use is quote the code “NHS10” when making a booking either on the phone or online.

To find out more visit https://www.kingscamps.org or call 0114 263 2160.

Would you like an NHS rainbow badge?

The rainbow badges initiative gives colleagues a way to show that the Trust offers open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for children, young people and their families, who identify as LGBT+ – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender. The + simply means that we are inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.

These badges carry both a responsibility and an opportunity to send a positive message of inclusion.

By wearing a badge you can play a valuable part in reducing stigma and inequality.

Wearing a badge says to LGBT+:

• You can talk to me freely and without worry about who you are and how you feel.
• I will do my best to get support for you if you need it.
• This is a place of inclusion, you are not alone.

If you would like a NHS rainbow badge please contact swb-tr.SWBH-GM-EqualityDiversity@nhs.net.

Human factors in emergency and clinical situations training: 8 November

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust are hosting a human factors in emergency and clinical situations training day for both their colleagues and colleagues from across the Black Country free for all to attend on Friday 8 November, 9am- 5pm,  manor learning and conference centre route 301, Sister Dora lecture theatre.

The training day will include:

• Use of effective communication, debriefing and skills drills techniques for improved colleague and patient safety.
• Joining other NHS colleagues in a participative learning experience.
• Shared learning between the Walsall human factors faculty and Black Country based NHS colleagues.

To book please call 01922 721172 or email mlcc.courses@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk.

Recruitment event for band 6 radiographers

We are holding a recruitment event for band 6 radiographers which will showcase a new fast track development scheme.

The open day is being held at Sandwell Hospital’s Education Centre, 10am – 2pm, Saturday 19 October.

To apply go to https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/?vac_ref=915772097 or come along on the day to find out more.

Watch our video to find out what it’s like to work within the imaging department.

World Pharmacy Technician Day: 15 October

Tuesday 15 October marks World Pharmacy Technician Day. This is an international event whereby the pharmacy community comes together to celebrate and acknowledge the importance of pharmacy technicians.

The Trust pharmacy department has also recently celebrated World Pharmacist Day which took place on 25 September during the Unity go-live fortnight. The theme for this year’s event was Safe and Effective Medicines for All. Here at our Trust, we have 130 colleagues that work as part of the team to make that a reality. Made up of pharmacists, technicians and pharmacy support staff, they support all aspects of medicines use from advice on medication safety, clinical queries and training for staff.

Being experts in medicines the team offer invaluable support to lots of different areas. Members of the pharmacy team work together with staff right across the Trust. This includes pharmacy technicians working in dispensaries, procurement, ward-based services, training and education, medicines information and aseptic services to name a few areas.

This cross-site team supports colleagues to ensure that the medicines they prescribe and administer are safe, effective and help patients get the best possible outcomes from their medicines.

Be sure to be following our pharmacy team on Twitter @SWBHPharmacy throughout World Pharmacy Technician Day.

AHP Day

To celebrate Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Day, throughout this week we will be showcasing different AHPs from across the organisation and finding out what AHP day means to them.

Today we meet Russell Stanton, clinical lead for foot health who believes AHP Day gives a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diversity AHPs.

Be sure to check out the short clip below featuring Russell.

Meet super user Adrian Reynolds

Imaging support worker Adrian Reynolds is a super user in the imaging department. Confident at using computers and different IT systems, he was already being asked to help colleagues before Unity came along. Over the last few weeks his skills have been in even higher demand.

“We do have other super users in the department but I seem to be the main one,” laughed Adrian. “I don’t mind helping anybody, no matter what it is. That’s what I’m here for as a support worker.

“I’ve been helping members of staff. Even those from different departments have been asking for me. I’ve really been enjoying it.”

Having devoted a lot of time to exploring the e-learning modules, Adrian’s knowledge of Unity has become an invaluable resource for others to tap into. He’s also provided emotional support in difficult situations.

“Go-live was a bit nerve-wracking. Some people were panicking if things went wrong but as a super user I was trying to keep everyone cool and calm. It went okay. It’s something that’s new to everybody but we’re getting used to it. Slowly but surely.”

Get your flu vaccination today

The annual flu drop in clinics are underway and will run up until 8 November.

As of 14 October, 17 per cent of Trust colleagues have already taken the opportunity to have their flu vaccination.

If you would like to get your jab this week, drop in to one of the clinics and make time to get yourself protected.

Remember:

• The vaccine is not live and therefore CANNOT give you the Flu.
• The main side effect of the vaccine is a red achy injection site or mild aches for a couple of days, easily treated with paracetamol.
• Even if you are not elderly and do not have any health risks, healthcare workers have a duty of care as professionals to protect against infection. They should be immunised against flu to protect themselves, their colleagues, their loved ones at home as well as their patients.
• The vaccine can take up to two weeks to work properly so early immunisation is essential to stop the spread of Flu.
• Remember you can have flu and have mild or even no symptoms at the time, therefore you may be spreading the virus to vulnerable patients, loved ones and colleagues without knowing it.

Week 3 – 6: 14 October – 8 November 

• Tuesday and Thursday, 8.30am – 12pm, main reception, Sandwell Hospital
• Tuesday and Thursday, 8.30am – 12pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City Hospital
• Friday, 1pm – 4pm, occupational health, courtyard gardens, Sandwell Hospital
• Friday, 1pm – 4pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City Hospital