Monthly archives: November 2019

Help feed the homeless this Christmas

The homeless patient pathway team are collecting now for non-perishable foods such as:

• Tins
• Packets
• Noodles
• Rice
• Pasta
• Jar sauces
• Soups
• Tea
• Coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Biscuits
• Crisps
• Cereals
• Protein bars

Please check the back of your food cupboards for any unwanted items or even consider getting an extra item in your shopping and help feed the homeless this Christmas.

All donations will be given out as a hamper to our homeless patients.

Note: We are unable to accept out of date foods.

In addition we are also collecting the following items to complete the hampers:

• Toiletries
• Gift sets
• Perfumes
• Aftershaves
• Selection boxes
• Scarves
• Gloves

The team can also arrange collection from your department or area when convenient. For more information or to arrange collection for any items please call 07580 677913 or email helen.taylor54@nhs.net.

Get your flu jab on site – additional flu drop-in sessions including weekends and evenings

Our flu season continues to be a success with us having administered a total of 3,578 vaccinations to colleagues with 2,953 of jabs being given to patient facing colleagues as of Friday 22 November.

We are offering flu vaccinations on site so be sure to drop in and make time to get yourself protected.

Week 9: 28 November

• Thursday 28 November, 8.30am – 12pm, Sandwell main reception
• Thursday 28 November, 8.30am – 12pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City Hospital reception

Flu jab on the weekend: 30 November – 1 December

• Saturday 30 November, vaccinator walking around Sandwell Hospital site, 2pm – 5pm.
• Sunday 1 December, vaccinator walking around City Hospital site, 9am – 12pm.

Week 10: 2 December – 5 December

• Monday 2 December, 9am – 12pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City
• Tuesday 3 December, 10am – 2pm, ‘jab-in-the-hut’ by Hallam Restaurant
• Thursday 5 December, 9am – 12.30pm, Sandwell main reception
• Thursday 5 December, 9am – 12.30pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City

Week 11: 9 December – 12 December

• Monday 9 December, 9am – 12pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City
• Tuesday 10 December, 9am – 12pm, Sandwell main reception
• Thursday 12 December, 9am – 12pm, Sandwell main reception
• Thursday 12 December,  9am – 12pm, breast feeding room, adjacent to D6, City

 Evening flu jab:

Our vaccinators will also be walking around the wards and departments across our hospital sites next week. They have bright blue and yellow tabards so cannot be missed. Please feel free to stop them and ask for your flu vaccination.

• Wednesday 4 December, Sandwell night walk around, 8pm – 11pm
• Thursday 5 December, City night walk around, 8pm – 11pm

Flu prize draw extension

The flu prize draw has been extended so there is still time to win one of these fantastic prizes if you get your vaccination:

• £200 shopping vouchers
• 7” fire tablet
• Amazon fire TV stick
• Echo dot
• Tassimo coffee maker

Are you refusing your flu vaccination due to personal or religious beliefs associated with pork? If so please be aware that there are no porcine products contained within the adult flu vaccination on offer at our Trust.

Have you had your flu jab elsewhere?

If you have had your flu jab at your local GP or pharmacy you still count towards our overall flu vaccination total!

Simply let us know by completing this short form by following the link: http://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/od/occupational-health-and-wellbeing-service/flu/had-your-flu-jab-elsewhere/

Note: If you have 8 or more colleagues who want their flu vaccination in your area or department you can organise a visit from our ‘Jab-in-the-hut’ by calling ext. 3803.

Heartbeat: Neonatal unit make Unity work for them

All areas of the Trust have their own unique characteristics, and great effort has gone into making sure that Unity has been customised to take account of this. The neonatal unit is more complex than most but they have succeeded in modifying the system so that it works for them.

Ward Manager, Sally Haycox explained: “There are not many units in the country that run a full neonatal system on Unity. They use aspects of it but not the full thing. Unity had to be bespoke for us. We practised on the generic Play System but a bespoke programme had to be built for us so the staff had no experience of the actual programme until we went live.

“It actually went very well. They took everything on board and ran with it. Yes, we had issues just like everyone else, but with the super users, the floorwalkers and all the support we had, the majority of issues were addressed. There are still build issues that we need to take forward into phase two but I don’t think they’re insurmountable.

“Credit needs to go to my nursing team. The sort of people they are and the environment we’re in – we’re an intensive care unit, we’re an ED unit, we’re almost a hospital within a hospital – their mindset is that they’ll tackle anything that comes their way and they’ll do their best. They have in this case.”

Dr S Sivakumar, the speciality lead for neonates, was there to support the implementation first-hand and he was equally impressed. There had been some tension in the days before go-live as they raced to get everything ready in time. This involved finalising standard operating procedures, quick reference guides, workflows and order sets, running training sessions for doctors and nurses, and devoting quality improvement sessions completely to Unity, but it all went to plan.

“Unity has overcome many problems and I’m quite impressed with the build, especially in terms of prescriptions and infusions. We’re grateful to the pharmacists, who worked extremely hard to get these complex medications sorted in the finest detail so we were able to prescribe them. That was one of the major worries we had but it’s working well. There is ongoing work on gentamicin and vancomycin prescriptions to make them completely risk-free,” he said.

“Because of the hard work of various colleagues, from the clinical side as well as the Unity and managerial side, we’ve made it a success. I’m pleased to say that in the first couple of weeks the neonatal unit has been top in areas like results endorsement despite the complexity of the work.

“Clinical documentation is good in Unity but can be slow as some of the information also needs to be replicated in neonatal BadgerNet and maternity BadgerNet because the interface between the three systems is poor. We have requested an upgrade to neonatal BadgerNet to match the maternity version, which will help to speed up the documentation process.”

Neonatal colleagues have taken to Unity well, noting that the standardised process for ordering tests and medication is much quicker than before and easier for trainees to replicate in other areas. A couple of the team shared their thoughts on the new system.

Eleanor Taylor, a sister on the neonatal unit, said: “I was actually quite worried about it at first but I’ve found it to be ok. It’s easier not having to manually write everything. I like the fact that you can do your notes throughout the day and they’re done for handover. There are some issues that are being addressed so we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Vidya Santharam, Neonatal Registrar, said: “I think it’s good in lots of respects. It’s nice to have everything in one place. Once we learn how to navigate it more effectively, I can see how we’ll be able to do things quicker. At the moment it’s a bit slow because we’re all still learning. I can see the positives and I think it will be good in the long run.”

Paediatrics neonatal recruitment event: 30 November – refer a friend and pocket £100

Our paediatrics and neonatal teams are holding a recruitment event – and colleagues who refer a friend could pocket £100.

The event is being held on Saturday 30 November, between 10am – 2pm, and will be recruiting Band 5,6 and 7 roles within the departments.

Colleagues who recommend a friend, who is then appointed will receive £100 along with the new recruit. There will be job offers on the day and a chance to find out more about the specialties within the teams, as well as the newly refurbed neonatal unit which is due to reopen next month at City Hospital.

The open day will be held in the Parent Education Room, in the maternity department. For more information about the recruitment event click here, whilst those interested in the refer a friend scheme should contact Amir Ali on ext. 6148.

Be sure to check out this video featuring newly appointed Sister, Ele Taylor talking about the exciting developments within the neonatal department:

Unity support sessions – dietary requirements and meal plans

Next week the clinical informatics team will be running a number of short 30-minute sessions for qualified nurses and ward service officers on how to order and modify dietary requirements, and create a ward meal plan in Unity. Details of the sessions are below:

To book a place at any of these sessions, please email swbh.unity.queries@nhs.net.

Optimistic about Unity optimisation

Please print this bulletin out and display in a prominent position in your ward/area and draw attention to it for all colleagues to read.

To help you get the best out of Unity we will continue to share top tips. Please take note of these helpful reminders as they may resolve an issue you have experienced.

Using care plans

There are two types of care plan in Unity. Some are built as a PowerPlan and some are built within the iView band.

PowerPlan care plans are a group of activities, goals, interventions and advice that interact with Unity. They trigger activities and tasks to clinicians, and can be personalised to the patient’s needs (QRG CD74 – Personalising care plans).

iView care plans are located in adult quick view. They are used to document whether care has been given in accordance with the plan and do not generate orders (QRG CD58 – How to initiate, record and discontinue an iView care plan).

All patients admitted for inpatient care require evidence based, personalised nursing care plans. Care plans in Unity are managed as a mixture of PowerPlan and iView. On admission each patient has a set of assessments that require completing in line with the patient safety plan. These are grouped on Unity as ‘Patient Safety Assessment’.

As a result of the completed assessments, nursing care plans are suggested. It is the responsibility of the trained nurse to decide if they are appropriate to the patient (QRG CD02 – Accepting and rejecting suggested care plans).

Care plans can be added manually, as appropriate to the patient’s condition, using the request/care plan tab within the table of contents (QRG CD80 – Requesting care plans).

Care plans can be personalised within Unity. They should be personalised at the accept stage (QRG CD74).

The discharge care plan is suggested automatically on admission for all patients. Suggested care plans are expected to be activated unless a rationale for not accepting is recorded in the patient’s electronic record (QRG CD02).

The clinician is expected to document care provided in real time using document in plan for PowerPlan care plans. For iView care plans documentation is via a drop down box – ‘Care Plan followed as documented – Yes or No’. If ‘No’, a freetext comment box is used (QRG CD76 – Documenting in care plan and QRG CD58).

Requesting a change to Unity

There are two types of issues that can arise when using Unity:

1. In most cases we need to help a user and their colleagues to develop expert knowledge of the product. As we all know there is a right way to use Unity. If we use the system in the right way then it works well, not just for us and our patients, but for the next user. That’s what we call optimisation.

Process flow – ‘I have a problem with Unity’

2. There is a second scenario, where we may need to change how Unity is set up or configured. There is a process to consider whether a change like that is required. Here’s how that process works.

Service change request form

A change request can be made to the weekly service change request meeting chaired by Martin Sadler and Liam Kennedy. If the request is less urgent, which most are, then your clinical group digital committee will consider the level of priority it needs.

In doing so, they will be particularly interested in whether your team is already performing optimally on Unity. Priority will be given to high performing teams’ requests. If your request is considered urgent then it will go direct to the weekly service change request meeting.

If you need help talk to your IT Business Relationship Manager (IT-BRM), whose names and details are below. BRMs are not an alternative to 4050 but they will help you to navigate the ways to improve your digital performance. You can contact them via email at swbh.informaticsscr@nhs.net.

Documenting oral assessments

Oral assessment and care are basic requirements for all our patients. Unfortunately, this is often neglected and can result in complications, such as infection, which can be avoided.

Many colleagues are not aware of where to document oral assessments on Unity so please refer to the images below for more information.

Involvement of a patient’s family is covered under the ‘Plan discussed with’ component. The actual oral assessment is part of the safety assessment, which is requested automatically on admission.

This is also available at any time through Adult Systems Assessment in Assessments/Fluid Balance (iView).

Meet super user Joanne Wright

Ward manager Joanne Wright (right) is a super user in paediatric services. She admits that many of her staff were nervous about the introduction of Unity but are now feeling much more confident.

“Prior to Unity going live, all the staff were very anxious. But, to be fair, I think it’s gone really well. Now people are saying that they like it. A few of the people who weren’t very used to computers were a little bit rusty, but they’ve worked with us and we’ve all managed to help each other. The other super users have been fabulous and we’ve had lots of support from the Unity team,” she said.

“We’re finding that every day you go on Unity, you’re still learning and finding something new. We’re customising it so that it works specifically for our paediatric team. It’s been really positive.”

Joanne helped to co-ordinate the efforts of her colleagues on Lyndon 1, ensuring that everyone was engaged with the Unity project. Previous experiences had left some doubting whether the new electronic patient record would ever go live but their hard work was rewarded,

“We did the team competencies, the Unity checklists and the e-learning, which we were able to access from home as well. We also set up a computer on the ward each day prior to go-live where people who had a spare five minutes could go on and practise the e-learning or use the play system. That really did help alleviate the anxiety,” said Joanne.

“It was a little bit slow to start with as we got to grips with it. Our nursing care stayed the same, it’s just the way we document it that’s different. Everything’s all in one place – on the one system – it just took a while to get used to it. It’s got some clear benefits and it’s really positive for the patient journey.”

Remember – you can contact your super users for help and advice or call ext. 4050 if you have issues with your device or use of Unity.

New FGM clinic is taking referrals

A new female genital mutilation (FGM) clinic, run by our Trust, has opened its doors to survivors of the horrific act from across the Midlands.

Summerfield Women’s Clinic, based at Summerfield Primary Care Centre, in Heath Street, Winson Green, is being led by FGM specialist Midwife Alison Byrne and will be taking referrals.

The “one-stop” support clinic, has been welcomed by FGM survivor Sarata Jabbi.

She said: “I think this is a much-needed clinic and will give so many victims a safe and confidential way to seek help. There are many women from the Gambia, Somali, Eritrea and other African countries that have suffered and desperately need treatment as a result of FGM.

“It is a very good initiative and it shows that the NHS has recognised the importance of helping survivors and that the voices of the victims are being heard.

“Summerfield Primary Care Centre is a well-known venue and is easily accessible for many women from the communities where FGM is practised so I believe it will be a well-used clinic.”

Alison said: “It is in the heart of the community and will help many women who sometimes are unsure about how to access care or treatment after undergoing this procedure.

“Figures recording the number of women who have had FGM are high. But there are many more out there who haven’t come forward or do not realise that they are a victim of FGM, as it is the norm within their culture.

“We want to really push out the message that this clinic is there for them to access and can be done so discreetly and in the strictest of confidence.”

To refer a patient to the clinic, email Alison at swbh.summerfieldfgm@nhs.net.

Heartbeat: Hints and tips see City ED through Unity go-live

Support with Unity came in many different forms during the go-live fortnight. There were digital champions, super users, floorwalkers, the IT helpdesk and a wealth of printed materials available in all areas. Some colleagues even took the initiative to produce their own.

In the emergency department at City Hospital, senior sister Amy Roberts took the lead with her team. “At our study day we thought flash cards would be a good idea so that we had a quick reference guide in our pocket for the tasks we would be performing most,” she said.

“One of my colleagues recommended a board with our pocket guide on, and gaps – made from post-it notes – where we could write hints and tips to help each other out.”

It was a collaborative process, with everyone encouraged to add to the board and share their knowledge with the rest of the team. Over time they were able to develop a central location filled with loads of useful tips which made a hectic go-live experience a little easier.

“It was stressful to start with as we had a really busy department with multiple people walking in just before go-live. At 5am we went live and ten minutes later our first patients were booked on. The team we had on that night and all weekend were great.

They worked so hard and supported each other really well,” said Amy.

“It was challenging at one point when we had a nine-hour wait in ED, but the staff resus trolley was loaded with snacks to help us get through and the extra staff members were really helpful. There were a few worries and difficult moments but everyone pulled through.”

Amy was quick to thank others for their support in the run-up to go-live and beyond. “IT helped us the week before by installing scanners, moving computer screens and answering our long list of demands! Our matron Annabel Bottrill and consultant Cliona Magee made sure we had snacks to help with go-live and have been a constant support throughout.

“There have been a lot of difficulties but Dom Le Gros has been great – always on the end of an email or phone call to guide us through. Also our floorwalkers have been brilliant.”

Time is of the essence in a busy area like ED and one of the major advantages of Unity is its ability to speed up the documentation process, releasing more time to care. As Amy explains, patient records are now clearer and more accessible.

“We can actually read the doctors’ handwriting now! From a nurse in charge point of view I can see everyone’s observations at a glance and I don’t need to chase beds. I can add to the nursing documentation and see outstanding tasks, allowing us to support each other,” she said.

Heartbeat: Wave goodbye to… Peter Secrett

Pharmacist Team Leader, Peter Secrett has retired after dispensing his last medicine at the end of the summer.

Peter started with us in January 1985 as an MPhil student in the pharmacy department. In 1987 Peter was promoted to clinical pharmacist and he played a fundamental role at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC).

From the 80s – 00s, Peter gained an array of experience and expertise in a variety of pharmacy roles. He worked as a GP pharmacist at the Smethwick Pathfinder as well as a medicines information manager at the Trust.

Peter’s final role was as a team leader. He managed and supported pharmacy colleagues that provide a service to the surgery wards, day units, theatres and BMEC. He also acted as the main pharmacy contact for these areas.

Since his teenage years, Peter wanted to be a pharmacist. He was captivated with medicine for as long as he remembers. That didn’t change over his three-decade career. “From about 14, I wanted to be a pharmacist. I was always fascinated with medicines and how these act on the body to treat disease. I wanted to use this knowledge in a practical way and working in the NHS seemed a logical choice.”

“For over 30 years the Trust has been a stable organisation whilst at the same time moving forward and innovating. This is seen with the Midland Met Hospital and with Unity.”

Peter’s colleagues speak highly of him and feel he will be irreplaceable. Emma Graham-Clarke, Consultant Pharmacist said: “Peter was one of the first people I met when I started at City Hospital in 1985. He was committed to doing the best for his patients or for anyone who asked for help. We’ll miss him.”

Suki Tagger, Chief Pharmacy Technician and Renate Boethling, Senior Pharmacist echo these sentiments.

Suki said: “Peter was more than my line manager. He supported me through my accreditation and, helped build a new team in medicines information making us feel welcome.”

Renate said: “Peter has been a pillar of the department supporting staff through difficult changes.”

Extended opening hours at Sandwell Costa from December 7

From Saturday 7 December the Costa Coffee outlet in Sandwell main reception will be extending its weekend opening hours meaning it will stay open until 5.15pm.

Note: Though this is a trial period, should it prove successful, it will be implemented permanently in the new year.