Monthly archives: March 2020

COVID-19 bulletin: Tuesday 24 March

The Trust is now publishing a daily bulletin. This will take all guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how. Please use this bulletin and daily cascade arrangements within clinical groups to guide local action. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing these changes.

Reiterated and important guidance on working from home

In light of last night’s message from the prime minister some colleagues need to consider working from home (WFH). With over 1800 job titles in our Trust and almost 100 roles, we cannot issue a simple list to you, and so we need to continue to work on trust with your judgment. We wrote to everyone in the Trust on Friday and that guidance is still accurate.

If you work administratively, managerially or clinically in a patient facing area, we do not recommend that you work from home.
If you provide ancillary work, for example as a porter or driver, supporting patient care, including transporting samples or stock, we do not recommend that you work from home.
If you work in a corporate / backbone function, for example in finance, governance or HR, it may be possible for you to work from home. We estimate that between 300-500 employees from our 7000 colleagues may be in this position. At this stage we believe all our IT and estate staff do need to be on site. This is likely to change next week after some new arrangements are put in place.

If you are able to work from home there are circumstances where we may ask you to return to site, and that includes circumstances where we ask you to undertake different work in support of the pandemic response.

We cannot provide computer equipment for everyone working from home. Our priority is clinical areas for technology. But we have published on Connect simple guidance for how you can use technology which you can download to run or be part of meetings, and how you can potentially get access to drives and documents. From April 1^st we expect to have more capacity to provide technology for home working.

If you consider you should work from home you must do 4 things:

Talk to your line manager and discuss this with them. Their agreement is required.
Send an email explaining your job role and the decision you and your manager have made to wfh@nhs.net.This will help us know who is away but well.
Download the My Connect App onto your phone so you can keep up to date with our guidance and stay in touch with the Trust.
Make sure it is clear on your Trust emails and Trust telephone extension ansa-phone that you are working from home due to Covid.

Support is available to colleagues with any underlying health conditions to ensure any risk of exposure to Covid-19 is minimised. Those who wish to share any health issues they may have, should speak to their manager and raise any concerns. A plan can then be made for their future working arrangements that is in agreement to both of you. It may be concluded that they need to work in an alternative role or at a different location. If this is the case Human Resources will be able to make arrangements for this.

Remember we have issued guidance for staff over 70, those who are under 28 weeks pregnant, and those advised by NHS England yesterday by personal letter/email to shield yourself for 12 weeks. If you are not covered by those provisions, then the paragraph above applies.

For more information email swbh.hr-advice-for-covid-19@nhs.net or please call 0121 507 3116.

2. Postponing routine imaging

We have already made changes to operations and outpatient care, as well as altered our ways of working in community nursing teams.

Non-urgent imaging tests are being postponed by the imaging team. The team are contacting each patient to advise them of the cancellation and will rebook the test at a future date. All referrers (primary care and hospital based) will be contacted to advise them of the cancellation and a process in place should you still want your patient to be scanned. We are continuing with the following:

Urgent diagnostics
2 week wait cancer pathway diagnostics
Planned cancer surveillance diagnostics

All patients for these diagnostics are being contacted to screen for COVID-19 symptoms. Those with symptoms who can delay their tests will have their appointments rebooked. The imaging team will ensure they wear appropriate PPE for testing patients who are symptomatic.

3. Health and wellbeing around COVID-19

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, fearful or anxious at the moment is a completely normal response to the situation for all of us. Managing your stress and psychological health at this time is as important as your physical health. Taking care of your basic needs and employing helpful coping strategies are top priorities.

To find out how you can look after your health and wellbeing click here.

4. Can you use video link to see your patients in our community or hospital teams?

We are holding drop-in sessions for Visionable, an online tool that enables you to see your patients via video link. To find out how to use Visionable you can drop in to attend a session where you will be:

Given a license
Shown how to use the system
Demo real time patients

Pop in at any time from Tuesday 24 March through to Friday 27 March between 8.30am to 4pm at Patient Access Department, Hallam Building, Sandwell.

Contact Mark Whitehouse for any queries markwhitehouse@nhs.net

For more information about Visionable visit the website https://visionable.com/videos

5. Closing our sites to all but essential visitors

Consistent with country-wide attempts to limit avoidable travel, but also to make sure that our sites are only used by those needing or providing care, from 09.00 am on Thursday 26^th March anyone entering Leasowes, BMEC, Sandwell, BTC, City or Rowley Regis will be challenged.

Only Trust and University staff, volunteers working for the Trust, students, and designated patient visitors will be allowed onto our sites. We will use this challenge ‘moment’ to reinforce the fact that visiting is not now taking place face to face in our wards, other than in very specific circumstances.

This is being done to protect us all so do please try to respond positively if challenged. Mindful of the positive impact of donations from visitors and partners, we are making alternative arrangements to conduct our own pick up of such donations. Please contact amanda.winwood@nhs.net if you know of someone wishing to make a donation in kind to our teams.

Heartbeat: Gathering your digital ambitions – how can tech transform your service?

Our digital journey does not end with the introduction of Unity. Across the Trust we are looking at how we can continue to embrace the benefits of new technology to transform the services we provide – whether that is a corporate service, a clinical service, or a way of making us more efficient in how carry out our day to day work.

Supporting us in our new digital programme is our informatics team who are visiting teams across the Trust to talk to you about your service and how you think technology could help.

Toby Lewis, Chief Executive, said: “We have made great strides within the Trust on developing confidence in our digital systems. Unity implementation was a big focus for us on 2019 and, as we continue to optimise our use of that system, we are also looking ahead to build a five year digital plan for the Trust. Technology in healthcare is changing all the time and we have all sorts of opportunities to look to other parts of the country, and even globally, to see how we can make changes

to bring benefits to patients, carers and colleagues. I would encourage you all to raise your ideas and share them with your group digital boards or send them to your IT business partner. Your ideas are what will make our new digital journey a success.”

Louise Brown, Digital Transformation Manager, said: “Digital ambitions are the technological solutions we plan to implement over the next few years to enable improvements in how we communicate and work, with the aim that we are able to deliver better co-ordinated care more quickly to our patients, using technology to help with better diagnosis and treatment.

“It’s a very exciting time for our organisation – the implementation of Unity has really shown how a digital solution can improve patient care. We are also seeing how artificial intelligence is making a huge difference to the way colleagues work within our imaging group.

“I’m sure many colleagues have great ideas about improving services through digital solutions and through this process we hope to help you achieve the ambitions you have for your colleagues and patients.”

Ideas are already flowing, including virtual patient consultations, new technology to help speed up how we transfer patients from one part of our Trust to another. Increased use of artificial intelligence is also of great interest and colleagues have suggested virtual chat assistance and robotics.

A team of senior clinical, operational and IT colleagues will assess all ideas, looking at benefit, safety, viability and cost as well as whether the initiative could be implemented at a wider scale. The Trust’s digital boards in each group will review ideas and feed into the Trust’s Digital Committee for investment decisions.

Talk to your informatics business partner, your line manager or feed into your group’s digital boards. You can also share your ideas through Connect.

Text message alerts about staying at home

You may have received a text message urging you to stay at home following the prime minister’s announcement yesterday. The NHS provides essential services so clinicians and frontline support service staff are expected to be present at work. Our previous rules on working from home apply.

Guidance on working from home

Preparing for PDRs 2020

In preparation for the approaching the 2020 Aspiring to Excellence PDR cycle, all line managers of people or people who will be conducting the PDR as the line manager, need to attend a short PDR refresher training session prior to conducting your PDRs for the April to June 2020 cycle. The session will update on any changes and also focus on the setting/writing of SMART objectives which is particularly important this year.

Please book onto a session – dates can be found on ESR: once in ESR, go to ‘my learning’ in the left hand side navigation panel; then search in the catalogue under the word ‘accredited’; then click on ‘view or enrol in class’ and book onto the PDR Objective Setting module.

Should you have any queries or difficulties booking please email: swbh.landd@nhs.net

COVID-19 bulletin: Monday 23 March

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Follow our guidance

It is important that colleagues are fully aware of the correct PPE to wear.

Please watch this short video which explains what masks to wear:

We have also produced a pictorial about what to wear when dealing with a patient who is positive and one who is suspected.

If in doubt there is information available on Connect or you can contact the IPC team on ext. 5900. We want to ensure that you are safe at all times.

PPE can be collected from D18 and Bryan Knight suite from 8am – 8pm and from the site teams overnight. There are stocks for the community in all bases as well as at Rowley Regis Hospital and the Lyng. You will only be given PPE consistent with our guidance.

If you are a line manager and many of your teams do not use email, please make sure this message is shown to them.

It is important to remember our usual infection control practices still apply, including that uniforms should be covered when moving to and from our sites, and the correct disposable of linen for laundering.

Use of face visors

Face visors that are used for aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) should be re-used but must be cleaned with Clinell wipes and left to dry before being re-used.

Community Visits

All community visits are being screened to check for patients who may have symptoms. Patients who do have symptoms are only visited by the dedicated community van and colleagues who are staffing the visits via the van wear the appropriate PPE. If you have any queries or are unsure please contact your manager or the community services helpline.

2. Guidance for colleagues staying in hotel accommodation

Our reserved hotel rooms can be accessed by colleagues to enable you to be away from a household with someone who has symptoms. We strongly recommend that patient-facing colleagues take up this provision so that you can continue providing your vital service to our patients.

Staying in a hotel, may obviously increase the risk of passing the virus between colleagues working in different environments. National guidance is that where possible:

Minimise time in communal areas of the hotel including receptions and corridors to reduce risk of infection to colleagues.
Where possible, to limit to 1 or 2 people at a time in lifts where possible, or to use the stairs if appropriate.
Ideally eat in your room. If meals are provided within the hotel, please try to sit at tables at least 2 metres apart from other residents in any bar or restaurant.

We will be working with the hotels and providing guidance so they are aware of this and are working to support you.

To access the hotel facilities please email swbh.hotel-booking@nhs.net

3. Can you use video link to see your patients?

Given a license
Shown how to use the system
Demo real time patients

Pop in at any time from Tuesday 24 March through to Friday 27 March between 8.30am to 4pm at Patient Access Department, Hallam Building, Sandwell.

Contact Mark Whitehouse for any queries markwhitehouse@nhs.net

For more information about Visionable visit the website https://visionable.com/videos

4. What is expected of you when self-isolating

We would like to remind colleagues that if you are self-isolating then you should refrain from doing everyday tasks such as going shopping and coming into contact with other people.

The main purpose of self-isolating is to protect and prevent you from potentially spreading the virus to other people. If you do not follow these rules, you are putting patients, colleagues and your family and friends at risk.

When self-isolating you should plan for how you can adapt your daily routine, and that of others in your household. Some of the ways in which you could prepare include:

Talk to your neighbours and family and exchange phone numbers of household contacts
Consider and plan for those in your home who are considered vulnerable
Create a contact list with phone numbers of neighbours and other key contacts
Set up online shopping accounts if possible

Please read the national guidance on self-isolation

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

5. All retail outlets to become contactless for payments

All of our retail outlets including Hallam Restaurant and Arches Café will no longer process cash. All transactions will be by contactless payment only.

The following outlets will close by close of play tomorrow (24 March) because of the limitations of social distancing:

Sandwell Main Reception
City Coffee Culture
City Maternity

The below outlets will remain open:

Sandwell Hallam
Sandwell OPD
City Archers
City Boaters
City BTC
Rowley Regis Coffee Shop

All open locations will have social isolation taped areas on the floor to ensure that we are all keeping the appropriate distance.

Opening times will depend on staffing levels and any changes will be communicated through the communications bulletin.

Pathways for referrals to Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWA) have now entered a phase of remote working for all their services. Please see pathways below:

BSWA refuges are fully open. Checking for space is through helpline 0808 800 0028.
The Birmingham drop-in services will be closing by the end of the week and alternative telephone support is accessed via 0808 800 0028.
Any women needing support who would have approached the Solihull Drop-in centres can call 07891492327
Freephone helpline is operational as normal (0808 800 0028)
Any women at risk of homelessness as a result of domestic violence and abuse in Birmingham can call the Housing Options Hub on 0808 169 9604
All meetings coordinated / hosted/attended by BSWA will move to a digital platform where possible or be postponed until further notice

For more information please email swb-tr.SWBH-Alert-AdultSafeguarding@nhs.net

Reduced hours and closures in Trust outlets

Due to COVID-19 we will be closing the the following outlets until further notice:

Sandwell main reception outlet
City Coffee Culture outlet
City maternity outlet

The below outlets will still remain open:

Sandwell Hallam restaurant
Sandwell OPD outlet
City Archers
City Boaters
City BTC outlet

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Emerging fraud risk: COVID-19 scams

Fraudsters are exploiting the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus to facilitate various types of fraud and cyber-crime.

Since February 2020, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified 21 reports of fraud where Coronavirus was mentioned, with victim losses totalling over £800k. Ten of these reports were made by victims that attempted to purchase protective face masks from fraudulent sellers. Reporting numbers are expected to rise as the virus continues to spread across the world.

Instances have also been seen where fraudsters have claimed to be from research organisations affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and have contacted potential victims over email. They claim to be able to provide the recipient with a list of coronavirus-infected people in their area but to access this information, the victim needs to click on a link, which leads to a malicious website, or is asked to make a payment in Bitcoin.

Fraudsters are also sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails in an attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments, or revealing sensitive personal and financial details.

Watch out for scam messages:

Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.

Shopping online:

If you’re making a purchase from a company or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first, and ask a friend or family member for advice before completing the purchase. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases. For more information on how to shop online safely, please visit: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/shoponlinesafely

Protect your devices from the latest threats:

Always install the latest software and app updates to protect your personal devices from the latest threats. For information on how to update your personal devices, please visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/securing-your-devices

What to do next?

If you have been a victim of personal fraud or cyber-crime, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or online via actionfraud.police.uk

If you have a concern about NHS fraud or bribery, please contact our Local Counter Fraud Specialist, Sophie Coster, on 07436 268747 or via sophie.coster@nhs.net; or report to NHS Counter Fraud Authority on 0800 028 40 60, or via https://cfa.nhs.uk/reportfraud

Heartbeat: It’s time to shine with the Stepping Up programme

January 2020 got off to a flying start with aspiring NHS leaders joining our Stepping Up programme. The course led by the NHS Leadership Academy is aimed at black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues and our future leaders.

The programme is set over four dedicated learning days. It equips those interested in developing their leadership abilities with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the healthcare sector.

To secure a place on the course individuals had to submit a formal application and a written statement explaining why they should be considered. With competition from across NHS Trusts in the local area, securing a spot on the course is a real achievement. This is the first step towards learning the expertise required to progress into more senior roles.

With nearly 20 per cent of the 1.3 million people that work in the NHS being from BAME backgrounds, the diverse talent we have in our Trust must be nurtured and developed. Speaking to Heartbeat, Donna Mighty, Chair of the BME Staff Network commented: “As Chair of our BME group we have one clear focus and that’s empowering colleagues from black and ethnic minorities to succeed. In January, I was pleased that our Trust demonstrated its commitment to that with the latest cohort of colleagues enrolling onto the Stepping Up programme.”

Speaking to Heartbeat, Mark Haynes, Senior IT Support Officer, and Vice Chair of our BME group, explained how joining the course has made a positive difference to his work life. He said: “Last year I received an email about the Stepping Up programme. It wasn’t something I’d heard about before but I wasted no time in applying. After completing the programme, I returned to my role with a new mindset. I now understand that my progression is in my hands.”

Feeling confident about his future progression, Mark added: “It has been one of the most beneficial training courses I’ve attended. It’s equipped me with the right behaviours that I believe will help me secure a management role in the future. I feel grateful to the NHS Leadership Academy, the organisers and the facilitators for providing this rare opportunity, and for the skills, it has equipped me with.”

COVID-19 bulletin: Sunday 22 March

1. Guidance for pregnant women

As promised last week we now have new guidance from The Royal College for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists relating to pregnant health care workers that we will be implementing.

Women who are in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (up to 28 weeks) can continue to work in a patient-facing role providing the necessary PPE and infection control practices are followed. Certain working environments such as operating theatres, respiratory wards and intensive care may carry a higher risk of exposure to the virus and we will work with you to move you to areas with lower risk.
Pregnant women in their third trimester (over 28 weeks) and those with certain underlying health conditions (such as heart or lung disease) should avoid direct patient contact. In these cases we recommend that you work from home and discuss with your line manager what work you can do remotely.

2. Hotel accommodation available now

3. Guidance on self-isolation for colleagues

Self-isolation when symptomatic

For colleagues who have symptoms of either a persistent cough or a raised temperature the guidance is that you self-isolate for a minimum of 7 days from the date your symptoms started. When self-isolating, notify your line manager and confirm the date of your self-isolation and discuss whether you are able to undertake any work at home. On day 8, if your symptoms have improved, you feel better and you have no fever you are able to return to work.

Isolation when living in a symptomatic household

If you live in a household where one of your household develops symptoms, then all members of the household must self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days. This isolation period starts from the date that the first person in the household began showing symptoms. If you are a patient-facing member of staff we would strongly recommend that you move into one of our hotel rooms.

Staff who have had contact with patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19

If you have been in contact with patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 you can remain at work if you do not have symptoms. If you become symptomatic at any point, you must self-isolate in line with the guidance.

4. Disruption to Public Transport – Plan your journey

As reported yesterday public transport timetables will be changing from Monday. The timetable updates will be released online as they change. West Midlands Metro services are expected to remain as normal next week but do check for updates in case the situation changes. Details on the amended services can be found at https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/plan-your-journey/network-overview/

We do expect you to be in work so please talk to your manager if you have a problem getting to and from work because of these changes. We may be able to help.

In the event that you have no other means of getting to work please check the information on working from home. There are four things you need to do if you wish to work from home:

Talk to your line manager and discuss this with them. Their agreement is required.
Send an email explaining your job role and the decision you and your manager have made to wfh@nhs.net.This will help us know who is away but well.
Download the My Connect App (search SWBH MyConnect on the official app stores) onto your phone so you can keep up to date with our guidance and stay in touch with the Trust.

Make sure it is clear on your Trust emails and Trust telephone extension answerphone that you are working from home due to COVID-19.

5. COVID-19: Getting the advice you need

We have two channels by which to get approved guidance to you:

This e-bulletin which provides clarity on how we are implementing any recommendations or policies from outside the Trust.
A clinician-specific bulletin covering treatment and pathway queries as we begin to understand more about how to tackle COVID-19.

Linked to this second option is an email address specifically for clinical queries about particular patients or diagnoses. Please do not use this for other queries. But you can reach David Carruthers and our medical director’s team via swbh.covid-queries@nhs.net

Occupational health are currently, like infection control, immensely busy. Remember you do not need to ring OH to self-isolate. Your line manager is the person to talk with.

We also have a central HR/workforce queries line to make sure we are applying our policies and evolving advice fairly and consistently: The team is available 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday via 0121 507 3116.

If advice is needed outside of these times, we have a dedicated HR email address for COVID-19 workforce related queries swbh.hr-advice-for-covid-19@nhs.net

← Older items Newer items →

Monthly archives: March 2020

Sidebar