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Monthly archives: April 2020

COVID-19 Bulletin Saturday 11 April 2020

 

This is our once a day COVID-19 bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how.  The plan to manage through April is our Operation Mary Seacole mobilisation. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

If you are symptomatic with Covid-19 or live with someone who is you can be swab tested now.  If you have been tested since March 25th and are [still] waiting for your results – we are sorry on behalf of our partner providers.  Get in touch via swbh.occyhealthcovid19@nhs.net and we will chase up your results.

1.  Our efforts to tackle sickness & isolation are working
We are making progress together facing the ill health that comes with Covid-19 among our workforce.  Helped by improving PPE and better swabbing, we have over 100 people returning to work in coming days and less than a dozen going off each day.  Overall now we are staying below 1000 absentees with some consistency.  Thank you all.

Remember:

·         If you can relocate to a hotel please make that choice

·         If you have new symptoms get yourself tested and isolate

·         If you get a shielding letter please get in touch with ext. 3116

·         If you feel unwell for other reasons than Covid-19 follow the Trust sickness policy

·         If you need help talk to your line manager, Occupational Health or HR

·         If you are isolating, you should have heard from us to check you’re ok and you certainly will hear from us regularly as your wellbeing matters to all your colleagues

At the end of your isolation period make sure you are in touch with us to plan your return to work.  We can assess whether any additional protections or measures are needed to help you.

 

2.  PPE – it’s hot out there…

We now have sufficient gowns to take us through the next few days, likewise plenty of visors.  And the right masks for the growing number of red areas.  Remember that a surgical face mask and visor are suitable for much of the work done in those areas.

Please make sure you deposit your scrubs with us before you leave the site.  The attached document explains.

The Trust is working through how best to support you with breaks, skin protection and other support.  When our PPE wardens get to work they will also support teams with ‘runner’ work to make sure you do not have to disrobe and re-robe.  We are also considering how best to approach Ramadhan later in April.

If you have not been FIT tested it is really important we get that done:  Call 5050 to book into our service which runs daily and usually extends to 21.00.

 

3.  Travel to work and car parking

Car parking on our sites is free during the Covid-19 pandemic.  You will not be charged in your April salary for use of the car parks.  And, both Sandwell and Birmingham Councils have now given planning permission for our new multi storey car parks to be built; so after the pandemic we can confirm the timetable over which we will get sufficient spaces!

West Midlands public transport services continue to support NHS staff by providing free services on most bus and tram services across the West Midlands area. Just show your NHS ID to the driver or conductor when getting on board. Free travel is also available for the children of key workers who are travelling to school.

Free shuttle services operate from some of the region’s park and ride sites, or key rail and Metro stations to support hospital staff getting to and from work, with one to City Hospital from the Winson Green Metro Stop. To ensure social distancing each shuttle carries a maximum of two passengers. Shuttles will move between the pickup point and the NHS site regularly during the stated operating hours. From 14 April the City Hospital shuttle will run on-demand and you can call the dedicated telephone number – 0330 053 8149 – to arrange a journey. See here for the up to date information – https://www.wmnetwork.co.uk/campaigns/nhs-travel/

 

4.  We will beat this virus with science

The Trust is actively enrolling to the Randomised Evaluation trial of Covid-19 therapy; the Recovery Trial.

The trial tests some suggested treatments including Lopinavir-Ritonavir, low dose Dexamethasone, Hydroxychloroquine, and Azithromycin.  Any Covid-19 patient over the age of 18 can be invited to participate.

160 sites across the country are recruiting, and currently 3,507 participants have been involved.  If you wish to know more about the trial protocols or how to get involved contact Derek Connolly, our director of Research and Development, or Gina Dutton, our Head of R&D. More details can be found at recoverytrial.net

5.  Confidentiality matters

Lots of people in our Trust are having swab tests.  It is up to them who they share that information with.  Around a dozen employees are being treated for Covid-19, and the acuity of their ill health varies.  It is inevitable that friends and colleagues will want to know what is going on.  And as healthcare workers we do have access to information.  Please ensure that you only access, act on, or ask for information that you need to know.  Our confidentiality circles for employees apply under Covid-19, as they did before!

You probably know all about our Surge Plan and work on Covid-19.  But here’s a short film reminding you what you are part of…

 

The Connect coronavirus page is continually being updated with the latest news and guidance regarding the virus, please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with the available guidance.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Sunday 12 April

 

This is our once a day COVID-19 bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how.  The plan to manage through April is our Operation Mary Seacole mobilisation. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

As the Easter Bank Holiday draws to a close, please consider whether, with schools off for the foreseeable future, now is the time to relocate to one of the Trust’s hotel rooms. These provide a safe place to base yourself and keep working, while protecting your loved ones at home.

1. Everyone can play their part in the science…

Over 600 people have been confirmed as Covid+ within our Trust. So far 33 have been enrolled in the Recovery Trial, which is the clinical trial being undertaken nationally on effective treatments.

Please make sure you know what is needed in order to enrol in the trial by contacting Gina Dutton and Derek Connolly. We want to be a high recruiter!

The country is gearing up to begin to trace the spread of the virus. One helpful way to contribute to that effort is putting your own details into https://www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-status-checker

This keeps tabs on your health symptoms and helps to plot postcodes showing higher incidence.  Give it a go!

2. Taking our Safety Plan seriously

In the same way that we are still focusing time on incident reporting, and Quality Improvement, it remains important to deliver on the full range of Safety Plan checks within the first 24 hours of a patient’s admission. This is especially important with new staff working in unfamiliar ward areas.

Over the coming week Group Directors of Nursing will be working with each team to make sure that you have processes in place in blue and red areas to undertake these key quality tests for pain assessments, pressure risk and other key evaluations.

If any ward leadership team is not finding it possible to undertake these checks in a systematic way, or to see data on your performance please get in touch with Paula Gardner, our Chief Nurse, over the next 24 hours.

3. Are you isolating at home with symptoms or with someone who is?

About 250 colleagues are off work now and have not been tested. You might be isolating yourself, or at home because someone you live with has symptoms. We can test non-driving households at home, but for everyone else we have capacity to get you tested on site.

If you are experiencing symptoms within the first few days of onset, with the test at its most effective, we need to get you tested.

To book your testing slot:

  • Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, call 0121 507 2664 option 5

Weekends 9am – 4pm, call 07970428995  or 07816992873

4. Have you just been re-deployed?

About 70 colleagues we have redeployed have not been FIT tested. FIT testing is vital to making sure we get you the right PPE. We run FIT testing clinics every day, mostly with booked appointments. Please get in touch via extension 5050 to book your appointment.

We have a large group of staff who have been FIT tested but only for one FFP3 mask. Over the next fortnight we may need to re-test you for stock where we have a confident supply. Keep your eye out for details!

5. PHE – donning and doffing

You may recall Mark Anderson’s infamous video which explained the importance of how you put on and how you take off PPE in our red areas. Public Health England have now produced guidance which reinforces this message.

All ward leaders are encouraged to use this guidance at handover to make sure best practice is being adopted in each part of the Trust. Read the PHE guidance.

By at least some popular demand we re-include our Easter film explaining the Trust’s plans.  Everyone has a part to play in supporting or being re-deployed, in leadership roles or within a Brigade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Gyf2jHQXg

COVID-19 Bulletin: Saturday 11 April

 

This is our once a day COVID-19 bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how.  The plan to manage through April is our Operation Mary Seacole mobilisation. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

If you are symptomatic with Covid-19 or live with someone who is you can be swab tested now.  If you have been tested since March 25th and are [still] waiting for your results – we are sorry on behalf of our partner providers.  Get in touch via swbh.occyhealthcovid19@nhs.net and we will chase up your results.

1. Our efforts to tackle sickness & isolation are working

We are making progress together facing the ill health that comes with Covid-19 among our workforce.  Helped by improving PPE and better swabbing, we have over 100 people returning to work in coming days and less than a dozen going off each day.  Overall now we are staying below 1000 absentees with some consistency.  Thank you all.

Remember:

  • If you can relocate to a hotel please make that choice
  • If you have new symptoms get yourself tested and isolate
  • If you get a shielding letter please get in touch with ext. 3116
  • If you feel unwell for other reasons than Covid-19 follow the Trust sickness policy
  • If you need help talk to your line manager, Occupational Health or HR
  • If you are isolating, you should have heard from us to check you’re ok and you certainly will hear from us regularly as your wellbeing matters to all your colleagues

At the end of your isolation period make sure you are in touch with us to plan your return to work.  We can assess whether any additional protections or measures are needed to help you.

2. PPE – it’s hot out there…

We now have sufficient gowns to take us through the next few days, likewise plenty of visors.  And the right masks for the growing number of red areas.  Remember that a surgical face mask and visor are suitable for much of the work done in those areas.

Please make sure you deposit your scrubs with us before you leave the site.  The attached document explains.

The Trust is working through how best to support you with breaks, skin protection and other support.  When our PPE wardens get to work they will also support teams with ‘runner’ work to make sure you do not have to disrobe and re-robe.  We are also considering how best to approach Ramadhan later in April.

If you have not been FIT tested it is really important we get that done:  Call 5050 to book into our service which runs daily and usually extends to 21.00.

3.Travel to work and car parking

Car parking on our sites is free during the Covid-19 pandemic.  You will not be charged in your April salary for use of the car parks.  And, both Sandwell and Birmingham Councils have now given planning permission for our new multi storey car parks to be built; so after the pandemic we can confirm the timetable over which we will get sufficient spaces!

West Midlands public transport services continue to support NHS staff by providing free services on most bus and tram services across the West Midlands area. Just show your NHS ID to the driver or conductor when getting on board. Free travel is also available for the children of key workers who are travelling to school.

Free shuttle services operate from some of the region’s park and ride sites, or key rail and Metro stations to support hospital staff getting to and from work, with one to City Hospital from the Winson Green Metro Stop. To ensure social distancing each shuttle carries a maximum of two passengers. Shuttles will move between the pickup point and the NHS site regularly during the stated operating hours. From 14 April the City Hospital shuttle will run on-demand and you can call the dedicated telephone number – 0330 053 8149 – to arrange a journey. See here for the up to date information – https://www.wmnetwork.co.uk/campaigns/nhs-travel/

4. We will beat this virus with science

The Trust is actively enrolling to the Randomised Evaluation trial of Covid-19 therapy; the Recovery Trial.

The trial tests some suggested treatments including Lopinavir-Ritonavir, low dose Dexamethasone, Hydroxychloroquine, and Azithromycin.  Any Covid-19 patient over the age of 18 can be invited to participate.

160 sites across the country are recruiting, and currently 3,507 participants have been involved.  If you wish to know more about the trial protocols or how to get involved contact Derek Connolly, our director of Research and Development, or Gina Dutton, our Head of R&D. More details can be found at recoverytrial.net

5. Confidentiality matters

Lots of people in our Trust are having swab tests.  It is up to them who they share that information with.  Around a dozen employees are being treated for Covid-19, and the acuity of their ill health varies.  It is inevitable that friends and colleagues will want to know what is going on.  And as healthcare workers we do have access to information.  Please ensure that you only access, act on, or ask for information that you need to know.  Our confidentiality circles for employees apply under Covid-19, as they did before!

You probably know all about our Surge Plan and work on Covid-19.  But here’s a short film reminding you what you are part of…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Gyf2jHQXg

Star of the Week – Leanne Devlin, HCA

 

This week’s Star of the Week goes to Leanne Devlin, HCA based at Heath Street GP Centre.

Leanne joined the Trust last year when the practice she works out joined the Trust. She is leading the weConnect pioneer team to improve staff engagement and in her role as an HCA is keen to influence improvements within her sphere of responsibility and is not afraid to make suggested improvements. She always works to improve the care for our patents including mothers with young children by looking after their children, while they attend their 10 minute smear appointments.

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COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 10 April

 

This is our once a day COVID-19 bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how.  The plan to manage through April is our Operation Mary Seacole mobilisation. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

If you have not heard of our Purple Wristbands policy, please take a look at yesterday’s Covid Bulletin.  This is an important change to improve safety for patients during the Pandemic.  We launch tomorrow and it is vital that ward based staff on all sites are aware of the implications and expectations.

1. Raise concerns and incidents so we can be safer during Covid-19

It is vital that during this period we continue to raise, investigate and act on IR1s.

There has been a drop in reporting in the last few weeks.  There is no change to our policy, go onto Connect, click on corporate systems, and the third icon on the right says Incident Reporting.  Let us know what you see and what is not working as we would all want.

Thank you to staff raising concerns direct with the Chief Executive, Medical Director and Chief Nurse, or locally.  This is positive and helpful.  It will make a difference.

2. Trust guidance on managing underlying health conditions – updated

As indicated in the WebEx briefings on Wednesday, the ongoing issue of national shielding letters is one of several factors which make assessment of individual employee risk an ongoing rather than a one off process.  As we move through temporary redeployment and indeed volunteering into brigades it is important line managers, employees, and OH work together to find practical solutions.

The attached summary and annexes are not wholly new.  However, they provide a simple recognition of workplace/employee risk and acknowledge new opportunities for high employees to work via technology and a commitment from the Trust to consider enhanced PPE for medium risk employees in higher risk workplace environments.  These documents replace prior issue.

3. Brigades – next steps, act now please

During Good Friday we are writing back to everyone who volunteered to join a brigade last Friday.  Thank you.  Most of you volunteered for blue or red, some for yellow.  We wanted to clarify that the Green Cleaning Brigade does not necessarily involve close work in patient facing areas.  Anyway, if the colours of the Rainbow are confusing you – read our second piece of Brigade guidance!

If you have not volunteered yet please do via volunteerbrigade.swbh@nhs.net

Corporate departments are reviewing their staffing structures with the Chief Executive with a view to releasing significant numbers of back-bone workers into front-line temporary duties.

4. Who to contact if your swab test result has gone missing

Before March 25th, we tested a large number of staff, and a proportion could not get a result.  Since then our testing has been through a series of suppliers, mainly via Boots, and increasingly with our own Black Country Pathology team.  Some staff from those services have not had a result.  Sometimes that is because the key details entered for the employee were inaccurate or incomplete.  We have therefore now organised a central email address for all swab queries.  Typically it will take 48 hours from a test to get a result.  If you have already emailed either Mel Roberts or Toby Lewis for a result, those queries have been passed now to the central team.

swbh.occyhealthcovid19@nhs.net

Next week we expect to launch a Swab Service based at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.  This will focus on workers who are not NHS employees and will in time target community hotspots too.  This is a key part of the local Exit Strategy plan to move on from the coming Surge.

5. Pop up shop goes large

For the last few days we have run a Pop Up Shop at Sandwell for staff whose new work schedule makes it tough to get to the shops for essentials.  This is in addition to Trust-wide fridges with frozen meals for night workers to take home.

Now we have a service available near City Hospital, BTC and BMEC:

Nisa Local on Crabtree Road, a 5 min walk from City hospital, are opening up to give our staff early access from 7am-8am and 7pm-8pm.  Please ensure you have your ID badge with you to allow you in.  Rav Garcha, their manager, is also organising an option to order via their Facebook page (click and collect) where they will bring your shopping out to the car. The click and collect is in the very early stages but hope that it will benefit you.  Thank you for being patient with us and we hope you find this option useful.

Here’s another one minute video from Richard Burnell. Take a look.

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 10 April

 

Mary Seacole was voted the greatest ever Black Briton in 2004.  Awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 1991.   Mary was an exemplary nurse who worked to tend to the sick in the Crimean War.  As a role model to nurses she has pride of place in this the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.  Her statue stands opposite the House of Commons, beside St Thomas’ Hospital where the Prime Minister is, we hope, recovering from COVID-19.  This Trust is engaged in a huge mass mobilisation of effort and kindness both inside and outside our hospitals.  Our field hospital spans every ward and converts theatres into critical care units.  We are having to adapt best practice to circumstance, demonstrate extraordinary resilience, speak truth to power, and challenge assumptions night after night.  Given the scale of our operation we have chosen Mary as our figurehead in fighting this pandemic, conscious of the many colleagues on our staff drawn from different traditions, faiths, and communities.  Mindful that COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting some local people.  Mary’s bravery is part of her legacy to the profession.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 9 April

 

This is our once a day COVID-19 bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how.  The plan to manage through April is our Operation Mary Seacole mobilisation. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

Guidance has been issued to managers on ensuring that staff are set up on rosters when working pre-agreed enhanced or extra hours.  Such hours must be locally agreed and not assumed.  Revised guidance on nursing unlocking forms will be issued by April 16th to ensure that those working bank and extra shifts in April do get paid!  Wage-slip payment for car parking ends in your April pay.

1. Temporary deployment: Conscious incompetence

Right now many doctors, HCAs, nurses and therapists are changing role. From non-ward areas onto our wards, and from both ward and non-ward work into NIV and Critical Care.  Thank you.  Associated with those changes are a series of training courses and some observational practice.  It is really important that for each individual we hold the right records and paperwork of the work you have done to be ready.  These must be filled  centrally.  If you have not already done so or are unsure what is required, speak up.

Crucial to these filings is your declaration of concern and of gaps in your knowledge and competence.  We will be safer together if we know what someone does not know. An assessment of the overall staffing risk we face combines both quantity (how many on shift) with an assessment of the quality of skills we have in place.  The personal competency declaration form is attached.

2. Introducing Purple Wristbands during this Pandemic

As our Chief Executive explained in today’s COVID Update 11 @SWBHnhs we are introducing a new wristband across our sites to support safe care at this challenging time.  The attached document explains why, when and how.  We are hoping to assist patients who need the right care at the right time in accordance with their express wishes.

3. Services relocating or reducing with COVID-19

Our services are changing.  Some have moved to remote technology offerings.  This is not just outpatients as last week, but ward rounds this week.  Allowing isolating colleagues to play their part in care.  Other services have relocated between our sites.  That position continues to evolve.  A register is maintained in the silver tactical meetings that every Group is part of.

The attached document summarises just current state changes:

No services should stop taking or electronically registering referrals.  Doing so allows us to triage patients and begin to scale our response to a long term recovery plan.

4. Quality Improvement Half Day next week…

There are lots of meetings and events cancelled this month and next.  Some have proceeded by WebEx, like our Trust Board.  Increasingly we are undertaking clinical practice using these technologies.  Last week in outpatients, and this week for some ward rounds.  This is helping isolating experts to help care for our patients.

COVID-19 is a huge learning opportunity.  And a chance to share and support one another in and across teams.  That is why April and May’s Quality Improvement Half Days are still going ahead.  Using technology!  The topic will be COVID-19!  Next Thursday using some of the time between 13.00-17.00 – agendas issued early next week.

5. Weekend weekday working….

Thank you to everyone for responding to the Call To Action to make sure this Bank Holiday works for acute and emergency services, and key clinical and ancillary services, as if it was four more weekdays.  This decision reflects the Surge and the need to make sure we have people on site able to be trained and to work in new teams.

If you are a medical secretary you are unlikely to be expected in.  If you drive our Shuttle Bus or run catering outlets you may well be needed.  Pharmacy, extra cleaning, our alcohol team, our HR advice line, swabbers, our homeless support service, operational managers and Executive are on site and working.  Hopefully we can delay the peak of the surge by the care we offer, by the testing we are doing, and especially by our work to discharge patients who safely can be and create the beds needed to manage increased and increasingly unwell admissions.

If you are truly unsure whether you need to be in email us via swbh.tactical@nhs.net

6. Get a room! Part of protecting you and others

High-end local hotel rooms are still available.  If you are in one, you will not be evicted.  We are keeping them for the duration.  If you have had a letter asking you to seriously consider moving in, please do just that.  And if you are recognising that for the next little while the best answer for you, your work, and your loved ones is separation, then please do make that move. The plan for our organisation to manage best the Surge, and begin to move towards Pandemic Exit in time, is to have the right workforce at work, and keep absence of all types below 30%.  Swab testing and hotel separation play a key role in that.

We have on-site rest or crash rooms if you need a break after your shift.  More open next week. We have showers around the site. And overnight fridges with frozen free meals.

Richard Burnell’s One Minute Resilience Videos are a twitter fav.  Here’s his latest.

Living in the time of COVID-19 – a survival guide

 

As we all grapple with our new reality – a sort of dystopian experiment, many of us with busy, sociable lives are finding ourselves well out of our comfort zone. It is reasonable and normal to be feeling anxious and fearful but there is plenty we can do to ‘take back control’ and not in a Brexit way!

Click here to access the Covid Survival Guide.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Wednesday 8 April

 

This is our once a day slightly rainbow coloured bulletin. This will take all national and professional guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how. We really hope this bulletin helps colleagues isolating, shielding or working from home to stay in touch.  Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing our plans.

In addition to our local Wellbeing Offer and psychological support arrangements, you can access new national support as we go through the Pandemic ‘marathon’. There is a helpline number which includes signposting and support to lots of different pathways, including domestic abuse, mental health, coaching and bereavement support.  The helpline number is 0300 1317000 or text frontline to 85258 – these are 24/7 services.

https://people.nhs.uk/help/

1. Temporary deployment: Necessary but hard going

Across the NHS there is a massive movement of staff roles and patterns going on.  We may have the biggest, or one of the largest.  But what matters is the quality of the support you get to move.  Be assured this is temporary deployment.  The learning will be permanent.  We hope the support you get in the challenges you will face make it tolerable.  Please work with us flexibly wherever you can as we build new teams at speed.  Those moving working in new ways, those welcoming them also facing new roles of mentorship or clinical supervision.  If you are unhappy with being moved, where you are moved to, or how it was done, there is a central process to register your opposition.  We will listen to you and work with you at pace to get everyone into the right place to face the pandemic.  Get in touch through ext. 3116 to understand the simple process of concern.  But maybe first chat to your line manager and see what reasonable adjustments can be made.

If by Monday 14th you were expecting to move, because your department’s work has paused, but have heard from no-one, then please reach out to tobylewis@nhs.net and we can work through the plan for you and your team.  Shout out to neurophysiology and health visiting for pushing hard to join the fightback!

2. Hotels available and are not “ending soon”

Top quality hotel rooms are still available.  If you are in one, you will not be evicted.  We are keeping them for the duration.  If you have had a letter asking you to seriously consider moving in, please do just that.  And if you are recognising that for the next little while the best answer for you, your work, and your loved ones is separation, then please do make that move. The plan for our organisation to manage best the Surge, and begin to move towards Pandemic Exit in time, is to have the right workforce at work, and keep absence of all types below 30%.  Swab testing and hotel separation play a key role in that.

Remember you can get swab tested, so can household symptomatic loved ones, and from later this week children too.  You need to be symptomatic for the test to be effective.

3. Opening CCS-Newton 1 and CCS-D16 this week!

Thank you to everyone working to open more ITU beds tonight and get the full Surge Plan up and running into the Easter Weekend.  Taking on new ventilators, learning new skills, assimilating new colleagues, and dealing with some very challenging clinical situations is a massive ask.  The Trust is blessed with an Outstanding Critical Care team, and we are working to make sure that both that Unit and our sister team running NIV are at full capacity in the days ahead.

4. Getting a break – annual leave update

The Trust is seeking to avoid barring annual leave but it is recognised that the scale of leave will have to reduced owing the need, allied to the lack of vacation options!  Leave carry over from 19/20 has to have been agreed in writing by 31/03 with your line manager.  If you need, or we need you to, cancel your leave we will work with you to try and ensure you get a break.

The only bar on leave (existing approvals or new approvals) is in departments with more than 30% absence, in line with our Surge Plans.  If you are unsure of the application of leave rules to your department please seek guidance from your Group Director of Operations:  Beth Hughes, Tina Robinson, Amanda Geary, Fiona Rotherham or Tammy Davies.  Executive directors only provide guidance on their departments not professions.

Please work flexibly within your team to try to support colleagues, both longstanding and re-deployees, to get some down-time at this very challenging time.

5. Underlying health conditions update

A number of staff have already, or continue to receive Shielding letters/texts from NHS England.  Please act on those communications and let HR on ext. 3116 know.  On Saturday last we adopted the latest RCOG Pregnancy guidance for employees.  We have previously indicated that any employee over 70 would be subject to an individual health assessment for practice safety.  For all other pre-existing conditions we will issue Trust level replacement guidance before the weekend, for adoption from Tuesday 15th.  With COVID status now commonplace across care settings this will focus on risk, PPE and remote working.

Dawn’s video is almost as popular as Mark Anderson’s on PPE – so we kept it in!


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