Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

Monthly archives: September 2020

Heartbeat: Surgery – putting patients first as they look to the future

 

2020 has been a year of firsts – a global pandemic, a national response, social distancing, shielding and isolating, things you would never imagine would have an impact in the delivery of patient care have come to the forefront, but few have stood in the way of determined colleagues delivering safe and effective care to those in need.

One area that has been taking the lead on recovery and restoration of normal services as they were ‘pre-COVID’ has been surgical services. We caught up with Shinade Coughlan, Group General Manager, to find out more. She explained: “Throughout the peak of COVID-19, we maintained an emergency provision on-site. We transferred all high-risk surgeries to the private sector hospitals to ensure we could maintain some service provision within our Trust.

“As the pandemic eased we gradually recommenced activity onsite on 13 July; initially with one theatre session per day running through Birmingham Treatment Centre (BTC). To do this, we redesigned patient flow, pre-assessment guidance, shielding advice and conducted a waiting list review to ensure the most urgent patients had access first. Since then we have gradually built up additional theatres and now run four theatres daily from BTC. Last week we decided push forward with restoration and now we stand to be back to delivering 100% of activity by 1 September 2020.”

Speaking of how such an important step has been taken forward for surgery, Shinade explained: “It has been a real team approach to redesigning and restoring activity. I’ve lead the organisation recovery program for elective provision, but have been supported by Leann Coughlan, DGM for Theatres, Amber Markham, Clinical Lead for Theatres, Mr Andy Torrance, CD for surgery and also wider stakeholders, such as ASU staff, booking teams and clinical leads.”

Looking to the future we also have provisions in place in the event of a second surge. “As part of our recovery plans, we have ensured we have a step up and step down model in place, whereby we know which staff would be redeployed should COVID-19 return,” Shinade told us. “This means we can plan for a second surge knowing the impact on theatres based on redeployment of staff and expansion space required for critical care beds.”

She added: “There have been many challenges given the need to completely redesign our service offering. For example, emergency services have completely relocated to Sandwell Hospital, paediatrics has moved to Sandwell too. We have had to convert two theatres to minor operations units given airflow challenges in previous rooms.

“Challenges, however, have allowed us to think outside of the box and seek new solutions, perhaps some we hadn’t considered before. It is a really exciting time to completely redesign the way we use our estate, allocate sessions based on demand and think differently about how we work. It has also given us the chance to develop our staff training and upskill them in multiple specialties – there have been some real opportunities to come out of this situation.”

TeamTalk today at 1pm

 

TeamTalk is our monthly Trust-wide team briefing. The next session will take place today (Wednesday 23 September) at 1pm.

This month’s presentation: TeamTalk Briefing – September 2020

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.

Set an example – wash your hands, wear your mask, practice social distancing

 

It is vital we continue to abide by social distancing measures ensuring you keep two metres between you and those around you at all times, including when you go for breaks and lunch. There are clear floor markings at all catering outlets and seating areas highlighting the necessary spacing.

Social distancing should be maintained during handovers and MDTs. If you are unable to do so, please ensure that you wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask.

It is important that staff take breaks and social distancing should be maintained whilst you are taking a break.

Colleagues and patients are also required to ensure they wear mask in communal areas in our hospital buildings. These are available at our entrances and must remain on whilst you are in our main hospital buildings. Please don’t remove them as soon as you move away from the entrance – the masks are there to protect you and the people around you. They must remain in place and be replaced when you enter or exit a clinical area.

Alongside practising social distancing and PPE, it is important to remember that you need to continue to wash and sanitise your hands thoroughly at regular intervals and for a minimum of 20 seconds. Alcohol gel dispensers are often within arm’s reach of all clinical areas and additionally are available from the procurement team if you feel your department is lacking any. Ensure that the dispensers are topped up and that your team know where the hand gel is and how to refil.

Fighting COVID-19 is a team effort, it needs the cooperation of everyone at our Trust to ensure we keep the virus at bay, keeping us safe and well and ensuring we are able to continue safely caring for our patients.

Set an example, wash your hands, wear your mask, practice social distancing and play your part in keeping yourself and those around you safe.

In case you missed it: Dr Nick’s first #Dance4Wellbeing – send us your photos and videos

 

As you may have seen a few weeks ago, Dr. Nick Makwana led you through the first in a series of  #Dance4Wellbeing routines to help you get up and go. The first, for beginners, is set to Sister Sledge’s song ‘We Are Family’.

We’re encouraging both clinical and non-clinical colleagues from across the Trust to send us their photos and video clips of their fantastic moves to swbh.comms@nhs.net.

Don’t forget: You can join in with Nick on the last Friday of every month! Get in the groove on your own or organise a socially distanced team event. We’d love to see  you try out your new moves!

For more information please contact Johnny.shah@nhs.net

Drug safety notice: Zopiclone tablets

 

Ratiopharm and Generics have informed us that the leaflet within all packs of Zopiclone tablets and the summary of product characteristics (SPC) for Ratiopharm is missing important safety information related to potential suicide risks.

The missing information can be found by clicking here.

All clinical colleagues should be aware of defect information.

Note: All stock currently held in pharmacy is not from the affected brands.

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

 

Desktop and laptop patching to continue for next two weeks

 

The Trust are increasing the patching levels on all computers to help reduce the likelihood of successful cyber-attacks.

  • Informatics are currently in phase four which is expected to last two weeks.
  • When your computer is in its patching phase it will download patches every day and will need rebooting every day for those two weeks.
  • You will be given a message about rebooting allowing you time to finish what you are doing and save your work.
  • You will be allowed to postpone the activity twice a day before it automatically reboots.

Should you experience any issues with your computer/laptop during or after the updates then please contact the 24 hour IT Service Desk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 for home workers.

Could you be a Flu-per Trooper?

 

Dust off your flares, pull on your platforms and grab your glittery glad rags – this year we are going all out with an ABBA inspired flu campaign.

We’ll be adding a little sparkle to our step as we all pull together to tackle the flu. 2020 has been far from a normal year and that’s why we’re getting our ‘Flu-per Troopers’ ready now, so that before winter sets in, we know we’re prepared.

This year, we’ll be taking a different approach to how we administer the flu vaccine. We will have our very own Flu-per Troopers representing areas right across our Trust. We’re going local and getting personal as we prepare to protect colleagues from the flu and this is where we need your help.

We are recruiting registered health professionals to help administer vaccines in their areas. If you can say ‘I do, I do, I do, I do, I do’ want to be a part of this year’s flu campaign step this way. All dancing queens (and kings) are welcome to submit their interest.

We’d love to hear from you if you can commit to being a Flu-per Trooper in your area. The name of the game is to vaccinate as many colleagues as you possibly can. The winner takes it all this year with a prize that is guaranteed to make you say ‘mamma mia’ for the most vaccinations administered.  To complete your immunisation training head over to Flu Training on ESR.

COVID-19 caught the world off guard but we know the flu is coming, it’s preventable and we already have a well-tested quadrivalent vaccination on offer. With your support we can protect you, our colleagues, patients and those we care for the most.

If you would like to support the campaign and join the Flu-per Troopers contact Bethan Downing at bethan.downing1@nhs.net.

How colleagues have transitioned to Unity over last 12 months

 

With Unity celebrating its first birthday this week we will be sharing content all around our electronic patient record.

Watch the video below to find out more about how colleagues have transitioned to the new system over the last 12 months.

Could you support Your Trust Charity virtually?

 

In light of the current restrictions, Your Trust Charity is sadly having to limit certain face-to-face fundraising or 50/50 events for the timebeing. For example, these include cake sales/coffee mornings and events where social distancing cannot be maintained or gathering is encouraged.

Whilst restrictions are in place, many of our fundraisers have been going virtual, and you can too!

All you need to do is:

  • Create a virgin money giving online page by visiting https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/index.jsp and select ‘Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust Charities’ when setting up your page
  • Run a virtual event i.e. coffee/cake over Zoom or WebEx
  • Run a virtual sponsored event i.e. a sponsored walk/run, where your participants can be sponsored for committing to walk or run a certain distance from their own homes within the day, the week, or even longer

There is actually no limit to what you can do virtually – please contact trustcharity@nhs.net and we will help you.

In these challenging times, our patients and our local community need us more than ever. Please do have a think about how you can help us today.

Heartbeat: Putting the patient in control – Unity celebrates its first birthday this week

 

With Unity celebrating its first birthday this week we will be sharing content all around our electronic patient record.

Watch the video below to find out more about how colleagues have transitioned to the new system over the last 12 months.

https://youtu.be/tGbC6LpNw-Q

Heartbeat: Putting the patient in control

Patients that understand their conditions, have the tools and knowhow to manage their care and the support of a caring clinician a click away is one of the ultimate dreams of 21st Century healthcare. It’s an area that has been long-awaited and will soon be fulfilled with the launch of the Unity Patient Portal in early October.

Knowledge is power, and currently, all of our information about our patients, from their notes to their test results are stored in our recently updated and refreshed Unity EPR. However, we still rely on patients to be able to interpret, appreciate and understand the vast amount of information that is shared with them when they have a consultation. Amongst letters reminding patients of appointments, test results and referrals landing at their doorstep, it’s easy to see why sometimes patients can feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to their healthcare.

The Unity Patient Portal is an extension of the Unity EPR system used within the Trust, and is the final bridge between clinical colleagues and patients being able to communicate and collaborate in the management of care, with patients having access to the following information on the portal:

  • Upcoming appointments
  • Parts of your medical records
  • Documents such as discharge summaries and consultation letters
  • Selected laboratory results from blood tests

One of the most innovative elements of the new portal will be the ability for patients to easily communicate with their clinicians from the comfort of the portal. This is something that is often taken for granted in professional circles but is overwhelmingly welcomed by patients.

Patients will also be able to complete pre assessments questionnaires and other documentation before they arrive for appointments, ensuring patients can be seen promptly and progress their care quickly.

From September, colleagues in primary care, community and therapies alongside surgery will began to take advantage of the system and subsequently, the system will be rolled out across the Trust.

To sign up and be enrolled on to the system, patients will simply need to provide photographic ID, a private email address and a security question at their next consultation and within a few minutes, they will be able to have access to their records on the portal.

If you would like to find out more about the new system please contact joseph.cridge@nhs.net.

← Older items Newer items →