Monthly archives: June 2020

Mandatory training – one week left to complete all your training

All colleagues must ensure they are 100 per cent up to date with completing all of their mandatory training by the end of June.

Most training can be completed via e-learning and face to face elements have been adapted or changed to virtual methods to ensure safety during COVID-19 as follows:

• Safeguarding Children Level 3 – virtual online classes set up via WebEx which can be booked in the usual way via ESR
• Safeguarding Adults Level 3 – virtual online classes set up via WebEx which can be booked in the usual way via ESR
• Basic Life Support Practical – an adapted practical assessment which also takes into account social distancing
• Moving & Handling Practical – additional material and virtual assessment
• Fire Workplace Training – a video has been provided for colleagues to view

For further details on which courses to undertake and how to access them please follow this link: https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/learning-development/mandatory-list/

For more information please contact swbh.landd@nhs.net.

Heartbeat: Dermatology’s flexible working to maintain cancer service

Services across our organisation have had to be rethought as we take on the needs of patients while reacting to the scientific evidence of COVID-19, the guidance of Public Health England and the government. For some services, this has meant ‘upping sticks’ and relocating at short notice, yet despite all of this these services continue. One example of success comes from our dermatology skin cancer service.

Cancer, specifically maintaining the treatment of cancer, has become a hot topic in the press. We are continuing to provide services for two-week wait referrals – both for diagnosis and the treatment of cancer, with some cases being carried out at different sites, including in local private hospitals. GPs have been given updated guidance to ensure patients have access to clinic or telephone reviews and onward investigations as appropriate.

To do this the dermatology team had to “reimagine” the skin cancer service and moved much of it off-site to the Westbourne clinic, a move they accomplished within the space of a week.

The team are working in a somewhat unusual situation. Anne Rutland, Skin Cancer CNS for the Birmingham Skin Centre explained: “A patient visited Westbourne Clinic, to assess if a lesion on his foot needed surgery and to identify if there was skin cancer present.

“The area was assessed by Dr Thomson and our plastic surgeon, Mr Salahuddin who agreed that the surgery needed to happen. As there was a cancellation on his surgical list, he could do the procedure immediately and the patient consented. So whilst the clinician, Dr Thomson was documenting the assessment on Unity, Mr Salahuddin and his team were able to perform the biopsy.

“This rolling treatment by practitioners effectively turned dermatology into a one-stop-shop. It reduced the need for the patient, who had reduced mobility, to re-attend the department and expose himself to risk. The patient was happy to participate in the procedure and left the clinic relieved that his treatment has started.”

A helpline for patients and carers or organisations with any questions they may have around their cancer diagnosis and the coronavirus has been set up.

The number, for non-urgent enquiries, is 0121 507 3817 and is available from 10am until 2pm.

Star of the Week – Paulette Parkes

Our Star of the Week Award this week goes to Paulette Parks, Ward Clerk on ward D43.

Paulette has supported both D43 and D47 teams as a ward clerk over the past month, as the D43 ward clerk is currently shielding at home. She has gone above and beyond her role, by working outside of her contracted hours, coming in to support teams over the weekend and staying late.

She has supported colleagues, patients, relatives during this pandemic – she has gone the extra mile to contact relatives via telephone to give them updates on their relatives care and progress.

Paulette has ensured colleagues have the correct PPE they require and  supported the senior sisters with the swabbing of staff

Paulette is a highly valued member to the team over in Sheldon, she is caring, has demonstrated great kindness and we appreciate all that she does, she is amazing.

Do you know someone in your team that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Why not put them forward for Star of the Week by clicking here.

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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 19 June

By David Carruthers, Toby Lewis is away.

Only two weeks to go to get your star award nominations in! The deadline for nominations is 3 July and I want to stress how important it is, perhaps more so than any other year, that teams and individuals are nominated for the outstanding care and commitment that they have provided this year. The awards are not just about our response to COVID-19, although that will certainly feature highly, I’m sure, as you consider who you want to nominate. There are countless colleagues within our workforce who, through small acts of kindness, or leading large-scale transformations, deserve a few minutes of your time to complete our simple nomination form. Don’t leave it too late. Although our awards event may be different in 2020, winning the award will be no less special than every previous year – valued recognition for the commitment you and your colleagues have shown.

Our COVID-19 response to continues to evolve as the pandemic does and we continue to monitor patients in our hospitals and in the community. As non-essential shops re-open and bubbles are formed it is vital to remember the importance of social distancing and handwashing. This applies to all of us working in the NHS just as much as those families and individuals in the community. After reviewing carefully the government guidelines on face coverings we have decided that from Monday 22 June, the Trust buildings where we provide clinical services will have a requirement for all to wear a fluid resistant surgical mask (FRSM) on entry. Our fantastic security team will be advising patients and staff of this on entrance to the buildings. Please ensure that you give these valued colleagues the respect they deserve when implementing our approach. FRSMs will be given to everyone on entry and people will be required to remove their own face coverings. It is vital to ensure we have adequate supplies in place so you must not hoard your own supplies or take masks home for personal use when not at work. Our stock levels are closely monitored.

Making sure we care for our patients in the right way means properly recording the information in Unity. We are experiencing some issues with samples not being marked as “collected” in Unity which means our pathology labs do not receive the request message in their system and consequently you won’t receive the test results. You must also correctly affix the labels to the samples as shown here. Having the discipline to follow our processes carefully means speedier access to the right care for our patients.

Next 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 staff 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 and pop into the Sanctuary which has been developed in our Learning Works building in Smethwick. So many people have accessed this facility and found the help they needed, even if it was just the chance for a chat with someone else who has been able to give their time to listen and share.

I was delighted to see the images from the opening of our Children’s Emergency Care Unit at City Hospital. This new facility, co-located with the emergency department, provides much improved care for our young patients and something we can be rightly proud of. Thank you to all the teams who have worked so hard to bring this service to life and to the care you are giving to children and their families.

Yesterday we bade a fond farewell to our Chief Nurse, Paula Gardner. Paula has been a valued friend and colleague to me and many others over the past two years. I know she was touched to see many people yesterday who popped in to wish her well in her retirement. Her commitment to put patients first, strive for high standards of care and support our frontline staff shone through in everything she did. We are a more caring organisation because of her leadership and she will be much missed.

David Carruthers, Acting Chief Executive

Pharmacy weekend opening hours reverting back to 10am – 3pm

Starting this weekend (Saturday 20 June) our pharmacy department will be reverting back to their normal weekend opening hours of 10am – 3pm.

Note: Pharmacy will continue to monitor service requirements and adapt accordingly.

For more information please contact the pharmacy department (City ext. 5263, Sandwell ext. 3783).

 

Outreach service to resume as normal from Monday

Our outreach service will resume as normal on Monday 22 June from 7.30am. It will be a 24 hour, 7 day a week service.

Should any wards need support they should bleep the below numbers:

• City – 6000
• Sandwell – 6234

 

Level 1 mental wellbeing training

The Level 1 mental wellbeing training focuses on supporting colleagues through the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery. Part of the wellbeing support plan is the provision of training for all line managers, plus any volunteer colleagues, to have initial conversations with colleagues and, where appropriate, open the door to further services that may help.  This is the Level 1 supervisor training which is in the form of e-learning material. Information on how to access the course is in the link below.

e-Learning Registration – Level 1 Mental Wellbeing Supervisor Training

Reminder: Action required to ensure you can continue to access Unity Reporting (PI Explorer)

Colleagues are reminded to please ensure they update their logins when accessing Unity Reporting (PI Explorer) following a recent update to the system.

As part of the planned activity, Cerner moved the existing Business Objects reports from SWBHUKBO01 to a new server SWBHUKBO07 so to ensure you can continue to access Unity Reporting (PI Explorer) please update your “System” to SWBHUKBO07 when you first log in to PI Explorer.

Should you have any queries on this please contact the IT helpdesk on ext. 4050.

 

Two weeks left to get your Star Awards nominations in!

There are only two weeks left to get your 2020 Star Awards nominations in!

This year’s Star Awards recognise colleagues who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in caring for patients, relatives, those in our communities and other colleagues.

There are a total of 21 award categories this year including a new Nurse / Midwife of the Year award in recognition of 2020 being International Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honour of the 200^th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.

You can get your Star Awards nominations in by visiting the link below:

https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/communications/star-awards/

Don’t have regular access to a computer?: Why not complete a paper nomination. You can make a paper nomination by printing and completing the nomination form and sending it back to the address as stated on the form.

Star Awards 2020 nomination form

If you have any questions regarding the Star Awards, please contact the communications team on 0121 507 5303 or email swbh.comms@nhs.net.

Heartbeat: Primary care study into COVID-19 launched in the community

There is now a treatment trial open for patients being seen by GPs in Your Health Partnership (YHP) called PRINCIPLE. This includes residents of care homes who are able to consent to participate.

The trial is open to people with COVID-19 symptoms who are over 65 with or without other health problems and for patients who are between 50 and 64 who have one of a number of pre-existing health conditions.

The trial design for PRINCIPLE allows the study to turn on and off trial treatments. The antibiotic azithromycin randomisation has been added into the study, in response to concerns regarding the use of hydroxychloroquine in patients with COVID-19.

Dr Abdul Tabassum, from YHP, is the principal investigator for the study. He said: “PRINCIPLE is a very important primary care-based trial, in areas where local health systems are under immense pressure. With a background of high prevalence of chronic disease and multiple co-morbidities, it puts many of our older patients at increased risk from COVID-19. The trial aims to identify treatments that can help people get better and keep them out of the hospital by treating them in the early stage of the infection.

“Experience from other participating practices show that the enrolment process is quite easy and straightforward. I am hoping that our patients will be open to participate and help to find the effective treatment to beat this disease which is the cause of so much death and misery in the world.

“It’s very important that everyone working in the community and primary care is aware of this study. Even more important is to inform patients about the study and give them information to enrol in the trial. They can do this very easily by directing patients to the PRINCIPLE trial contact details.”

Patients will need to answer a few simple screening questions and the study team will do the rest. Dr Tabassum added: “I feel that we have worked well with the Trust. The research and development team (R&D) has played a key role to get YHP registered on the trial. I am looking forward to working with the team.

“We are hoping that most patients will have someone who will be able to collect the drugs and swabs from Regis Medical Centre. If they are not able to do this, we will be asking colleagues from the Trust’s brigades to help and deliver the medication to the patient’s home. These arrangements have been put in place to make it easier for patients to participate.

“I would like to ask the help from every colleague working in the community and primary care from nurses, HCAs, and doctors to occupational therapists and pharmacists, to encourage patients to take part in the trial. If we work as one team, we can help our patients and the NHS.”

If a patient is registered with YHP and meets the criteria for this study they may get a text inviting them to join if they develop COVID-19 symptoms. The trial is now also screening participants online. This means that regardless of which GP surgery they are registered with, older people with coronavirus symptoms can now pre-screen for the trial at home via an online questionnaire to see whether they can be included.

The Trust is also recruiting to several other treatment and observational studies. The RECOVERY trial is looking at a range of drug treatment options for patients who are admitted to hospital with COVID-19. It is a rapidly changing study so that it can assess a range of treatments quickly.

REMAP-CAP is a drug trial for patients who are more poorly and requiring critical care. It is a complex treatment trial looking at lots of types of treatments simultaneously. ATOMIC2 is due to open shortly and will be recruiting patients who attend the hospital but do not require admission. Several other studies and registries are collecting data and samples to improve the understanding of the genetics of COVID-19 and how it impacts on patients.