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Monthly archives: June 2020

TeamTalk via WebEx today

 

TeamTalk is our monthly Trust-wide team briefing. The next session will take place today (Wednesday 24 June) at 1pm.

Please ensure you are able to access a computer with speakers or headphones to enable you to participate.

Details on how to login are as follows:

If you have any questions about how you join the briefing, contact Subtan Mahmood by email: subtan.mahmood@nhs.net.

World Wellbeing Week – yoga

 

This week marks World Wellbeing Week which is now in its second year and is a fantastic opportunity for us to consider our own health and wellbeing and make the most of the Trust’s wide range of wellbeing activities and resources. We have always had a strong wellbeing offer for colleagues and during this pandemic, the wellbeing support has been expanded even more. Do take the time to look at the resources on offer as highlighted on Connect.

Today we highlight yoga. There are many benefits to yoga including increased flexibility, muscle strength and tone as well as reducing stress and anxiety.

Fee online yoga

Free online yoga classes are available for colleagues courtesy of Sandstaone Yoga and Pilates. The classes run every Wednesday from 4.45pm-5.45pm.

Classes will be limited to 20 people per session and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Note: If you have already used the service and taken part in one of the classes, you will be automatically registered for the next session where you will get a link which you will need in order to access the class.   

For more information and to reserve a place please email bearwood@sandstoneyoga.co.uk.

 

Unity tip of the week: Patient emergency contact details can be obtained from HIE Community View and Form Browser

 

This week’s tip of the week comes from Emily Burns, Junior Doctor:

“Emergency contact details for patients can be obtained from both HIE Community View and Form Browser.”

We are encouraging colleagues at all levels across the Trust to suggest any quick wins or top tips they have for using Unity in their ward, area or department.

All suggestions are welcome so please get in touch! The best suggestions will be featured in our Unity Tip of the Week every Wednesday on Connect.

If you have a tip of the week please send it to  swbh.unitytips@nhs.net.

Heartbeat: Winged sculpture pays tribute to health and social care ‘angels’

 

A four-metre tall sculpture of a winged medical worker is paying tribute to NHS and social care ‘angels’ on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

Black Country sculptor Luke Perry, has created the angelic figure from steel and other metals in his factory in Cradley Heath and he has worked with Sandwell Council to install it at Lightwoods Park in Bearwood.

The sculpture is located on a key commuter route used by many hospital and care workers travelling to and from Birmingham and the Black Country. The temporary installation, called Wings and Scrubs, bears the inscription ‘Thank you NHS and Care Workers’. The sculpture is a private donation and has not been funded by any public money.

Luke’s long friendship with Oscar Nolan – a paediatric heart consultant at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital – and his recent conversations with Oscar about those working for the NHS was the inspiration for the sculpture. Luke said: “Like everyone, I have family members who owe their lives to the NHS. I wanted to create a piece of public art that captures the huge public outpouring of thanks to our health and care workers at this time.

“It is also a monument to all those who have lost their lives on the frontline fighting the virus and a reminder of how important the NHS is. This is a marker to all our key workers and everyone fighting this ‘war’ and acknowledges their commitment and sacrifices. I wanted the figure to have wings to symbolise the angelic quality of our health and care workers.

He added: “I would like to thank Sandwell Council for helping to find an ideal location for the sculpture. Lightwoods Park is perfect as many health and care workers travel along the Hagley Road to and from hospitals in Birmingham and on their way to their caring roles. I hope they will see it and know that their inspirational work is so highly valued by us all.”

Councillor, Yvonne Davies, Leader of Sandwell Council and Chair of the Sandwell Health & Wellbeing Board, said: “This is a wonderful, visual symbol of the gratitude we all feel towards our NHS and care workers and, I would like to thank Luke Perry for creating this inspirational piece of public art.

“We know this is a very challenging time for our health and social care workers. We hope that when they see this sculpture at Lightwoods Park, it will be a reminder of how much they all mean to us and that we all appreciate the amazing job they are doing. The bravery and selflessness of our NHS and care workers – as well as the service of all key workers – is an inspiration to everyone.”

Heartbeat: Are you free at 3?

 

With life moving at what can sometimes feel like the speed of lightning, it’s essential to take time out. Now, more than ever, we all need to find time to relax, reflect and recharge our batteries to help maintain our physical and mental wellbeing. Recognising this, Charlie Ammerlaan, Serenity Midwife and Professional Midwifery Advocate has set up 3@3 sessions.

3@3 sessions have been designed by Charlie to allow midwifery and medical teams to come together at 3pm for three minutes. Anyone is welcome to take part in the meetings that are designed to promote mindfulness through guided meditation.

Charlie explained: “Our minds can sometimes be so occupied with worrying about things that it can sometimes be difficult to see the woods for the trees.

We use 3@3 to meditate, not to be professionals, mothers or relatives, but to just be. I lead the sessions and colleagues are invited to sit and let their minds stop for a moment. The purpose of these sessions is to give the mind a break and to allow everyone to take three minutes to just breathe.”

Sessions take place at least five times a week and are open to colleagues that work evening shifts. This is important to Charlie as she wants sessions to be as inclusive as possible. She told us: “Research has shown that by just taking as little as three minutes there are significant changes to blood pressure, heart rate and neural patterns. I work a mixture of patterns which means colleagues that work in the evenings can also benefit from practising mindfulness techniques.”

Rosie Day, Midwife has been attending the sessions and told us: “3@3 helps to ground you during a busy shift. At the end of three minutes, you can visibly see and sense some stress has been lifted from colleagues. I like that everyone participates regardless of their job roles. It gives a real sense of unity to meditate together.”

3@3 also feeds into Charlie’s role as a Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA). She revealed: “The PMA supports midwives in their clinical practice, to provide restorative clinical supervision; advocacy and support quality improvement activities and education.

“I invite open conversations, either individually or as a group. The purpose of the restorative sessions is to provide a safe environment for colleagues’ to explore their thoughts and feelings. It’s a completely confidential service – anyone can speak to me in my capacity as a PMA.”

Free bus trial for colleagues ends this Sunday

 

The free bus trial offered by National Express ends on Sunday 28 June at midmight.

Please do continue to use public transport following government guidance.

Note: Colleagues can still apply for discounted travel via the corporate scheme. For more information, please visit click here.

If you have any questions or would like support on travelling to work by bus, please contact susan.penn@nationalexpress.com or visit www.nxbus.co.uk.

TeamTalk via WebEx: 24 June

 

TeamTalk is our monthly Trust-wide team briefing. The next session will take place tomorrow (Wednesday 24 June) at 1pm.

Please ensure you are able to access a computer with speakers or headphones to enable you to participate.

Details on how to login are as follows:

If you have any questions about how you join the briefing, contact Subtan Mahmood by email: subtan.mahmood@nhs.net.

World of Wellbeing Week

 

This week marks World Wellbeing Week which is now in its second year and is a fantastic opportunity for us to consider our own health and wellbeing and make the most of the Trust’s wide range of wellbeing activities and resources. We have always had a strong wellbeing offer for colleagues and during this pandemic, the wellbeing support has been expanded even more. Do take the time to look at the resources on offer as highlighted on Connect.

Today we are highlighting the Wellbeing Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a place where colleagues can share their stories and off load about their anxieties and fears. There are various services on offer such as deep relaxation, massage therapy and meditation.

For further details about the daily sessions available to colleagues at the Wellbeing Sanctuary please click here or call 0121 507 5886.

NHS virtual pride this Friday

 

The NHS England and NHS Improvement LGBT+ network are organising NHS virtual pride’ which is an online event on the evening of Friday 26 June, to recognise all  LGBT colleagues and allies working across the NHS.

For more information including how to join the event, please see briefing below.

NHS Virtual Pride briefing

West Midlands Police: Black community survey

 

Recent anti-racism demonstrations have highlighted issues within British Policing around ethnic minorities, in particular with the black community.

One of the values within West Midlands Police is that they ‘listen & learn’. This helps them to try and become better and improve the way they work and engage with our communities.

This survey is targeted at the black community across the West Midlands region and West Midlands Police want your honest and open views, therefore answering these questions is your opportunity to shape the future of your local police force.

https://westmidlandspolicepnn.researchfeedback.net/s.asp?k=159246878308

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