Monthly archives: October 2020
COVID-19 Basic Life Support guidance
Please see the below COVID-19 basic life support (BLS) guidance. Importantly this is in regards to the minimum PPE that should be worn if someone has a cardiac arrest.
For more information please contact swb-tr.SWBH-GM-Resuscitation-Team@nhs.net.
Fraud Notice: October 2020
As of July, A total of £11,316,266 has been reported as lost by 2,866 victims of coronavirus-related scams. There have been 13,820 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails. Please continue to be alert and report any suspicious emails.
Be sure to check out the October 2020 fraud notice by clicking here.
Do you know who your local counter fraud specialists are?
It is important that any potential fraud allegation is investigated by the local counter fraud specialists (LCFS) as there is clear guidance as to how a criminal investigation must be conducted and any breach of this can lead to it not being deemed appropriate for prosecution.
Your local counter fraud specialist (LCFS) team can be contacted using the details below:
Sophie Coster, Senior Consultant, Lead Local Counter Fraud Specialist:
- Email: Sophie.coster@rsmuk.com
- Tel: 07436 268747
Bradley Vaughan, Managing Consultant, Counter Fraud Client Manager:
- Email: Bradley.vaughan@rsmuk.com
- Tel: 07436 268 331
Poppies on sale in the BTC
Metal poppies are on sale in the main BTC reception at City Hospital at the cost of £2 each.
Heartbeat: Wellbeing event shines a spotlight on colleague experiences
Wellbeing and wellness took centre stage at a recent event for the surgical nursing teams on Lyndon 3 and Newton 3. Led by Sonia Bal, Sister, the wellbeing team-building afternoon was designed to offer a safe space for colleagues to talk openly about their experiences during the pandemic and to explore the wellbeing support available to them.
As many of you will be aware, the last few months has seen colleagues move to different areas to help us tackle Coronavirus and continue to look after patients effectively. In response to the many changes colleagues have experienced, the organisation has placed further emphasis on ways to help colleagues look after their physical and mental wellbeing.
One of the key aspects of the agenda was exploring all of the different support options available to staff. Sonia explained: “The agenda of the day focused very much on the wellbeing of our team members and it allowed everyone to speak openly and highlight any struggles that they may be facing – for example, dealing with their emotions. As a management team, we wanted to be able to put some dedicated time aside to sit down, talk and listen to everyone to understand any concerns and look at things we can do differently to support where needed.
“This event was also an opportunity for us to say thank you to colleagues and to acknowledge the sacrifices individuals made to continue with their jobs at a time filled with uncertainty. We had guest speakers on the day from the wellbeing sanctuary, the alcohol team, the therapy team and senior leaders took the time to join in too. I’d like to thank our Matron, Donna James for supporting us with this event and Di Eltringham, Group Director of Nursing for Surgical Services. We very much appreciate everyone coming together to make this a success.”
Matron, Donna James remarked: “Managing your psychological health at this time is as important as your physical health. Taking care of yourself and learning some coping strategies can help to provide stability and comfort.
“I was pleased that everyone felt comfortable enough to talk openly and honestly about their personal experiences. We shared stories that made us laugh, some that made us cry and some that inspired reflection within ourselves. We supported each other as a group, and I want that to be a continuing part of how we work together.
“We also took the opportunity to signpost colleagues to some of the resources we have available within the Trust, for example, the Thrive app, our wellbeing sanctuary and the counselling service. If anyone needs any support, I would ask them to speak to a member of the management team. We’re all in this together and our door is always open for a confidential chat, cuppa or any help you may need. Thank you to everyone for joining in on the day.”
Black History Month 2020: Black History Month menu on 28 October
To celebrate Black History Month, our retail food outlets across the Trust (Sandwell Hallam Restaurant, Rowley Coffee Pot, City Arches and City Boaters) are offering special Black History Month menu on Wednesday 28 October.
For further details including full break downs of the menus please click here.
For more information please email michael.best@nhs.net or call ext. 5427.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: How you can help a colleague who is experiencing domestic abuse
October marks Domestic Violence awareness month which aims to unify both women and men who have unfortunately been victims of domestic violence.
Two women are killed a week by a current or former partner in England and Wales and in the year ending March 2019, approximately 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse (Office for National Statistics, 2019).
As alarming as these stats may be, it is assumed that the figures are most likely a lot higher as many cases go unreported.
For the remainder of this month we will be sharing content throughout the communications bulletin all to help raise awareness around domestic violence.
How can you help?
Sandwell Council has compiled a wealth of valuable information on the helpful, practical information for employers and employees on the councils website.
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse website has a range of resources to support employers. There is also a toolkit from Business in the Community which can help employers deliver their duty of care in relation to domestic abuse.
Our ED Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service will support victims that come through ED. If colleagues from the wider hospital need any advice or support when dealing with a patient disclosure then please contact the safeguarding children team in the first instance.
Contact numbers:
- Safeguarding children team: 0121 507 2844
- Sarah Markland ED IDVA: 07989843233
- Rachana Chauhan: 07823336964
October is Speak Up Month
October is Speak Up Month where we are encouraging managers to use this as an opportunity for discussion with their colleagues and teams. Speaking up is an important part of a culture that focuses on safety and quality, and we would like you and your teams to play a part in encouraging these conversations to be part of who we are and how we work.
Be sure to take a few minutes to watch this short video from Kathleen French, Interim Chief Nurse regarding the importance of Speak Up Month and how speaking up needs to become part of the culture at the Trust.
Our Speak Up Guardians are part of regional and national networks sharing ideas and experiences, a wealth of experience and information to help you Speak Up. You can see a list of Freedom to Speak up Guardians and their contact details on Connect.
Our staff network leads can also be contacted if you want to raise a concern. You can contact our staff networks using the details below.
- BME Network: swbh.bme@nhs.net
- Disability and Long Term Conditions Network: swbh.dlt@nhs.net
- LGBT Staff Network: swbh.lgbt@nhs.net
Click here to find out about all the other ways you can speak up.
Star of the Week – Hardeep Bains
Our Star of the Week this week is Hardeep Bains, Discharge Coordinator on Lyndon 2.
Hardeep was nominated for the work she does to ensure that patients are discharged safely which often means a lot of co-ordination with relatives, care providers and social services.
Her work enables patients to be in the right place for their healthcare needs and helps ensure flow through the hospital. She was described as being ‘the glue that holds Lyndon 2 together.’
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.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Meet the team – Natomie Reid-Lyon
October marks Domestic Violence awareness month which aims to unify both women and men who have unfortunately been victims of domestic violence.
Two women are killed a week by a current or former partner in England and Wales and in the year ending March 2019, approximately 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse (Office for National Statistics, 2019).
As alarming as these stats may be, it is assumed that the figures are most likely a lot higher as many cases go unreported.
For the remainder of this month we will be sharing content throughout the communications bulletin all to help raise awareness around domestic violence.
Natomie Reid-Lyon:
Natomie Reid-Lyon works as an associate named nurse for safeguarding children and has over 17 years’ experience in a healthcare.
She started working within the children’s safeguarding team in September 2020. Her professional background is as a registered nurse (adult) and specialist public health nurse (health visitor) with over 17 years professional background across health economy includes acute paediatric and adult hospitals, community healthcare-adults, health visiting and school nursing services.
Natomie has extensive experiences in children’s safeguarding gained from working with children, young people and their families from vulnerable diverse communities having worked as health visitor in Birmingham, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. More recently she has worked at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital within the integrated safeguarding teams across two hospital sites which includes paediatric inpatient, neonatal intensive care, specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) inpatient care, maternity services, community CAMHS-Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) provider.
Our ED Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) service will support victims that come through ED. If colleagues from the wider hospital need any advice or support when dealing with a patient disclosure then please contact the safeguarding children team in the first instance.
Contact numbers:
- Safeguarding children team: 0121 507 2844
- Sarah Markland ED IDVA: 07989843233
- Rachana Chauhan: 07823336964
Heartbeat: Ain’t no mountain high enough
On 23 September Julie Thompson, Group Director of Nursing, Medicine and Emergency Care set off on a charitable climb with her team that saw them scale new heights for a cause very close to their hearts.
The medicine and emergency care matrons decided to take on the challenge of climbing Mount Snowden to help raise funds for colleagues in recognition of their commitment during the COVID-19 surge. Julie explained: “The teams gave so much to patients at what was a very demanding time and we wanted to give something back to them as a management team.
“This was a significant challenge as the majority of the matrons had never embarked upon anything like this before; some have never been on a long walk, let alone a climb up a mountain. Everyone trained before the climb to make sure they were up to it. Some of the team had to buy walking boots and suitable clothing, but once that was all sorted we were ready for our adventure. Two matrons even went on a visit ahead of the climb for a trial run to get a feel for the terrain.”
Alarms were set early on the day of the climb itself, and the minibus departed City Hospital at 6 am prompt. As the song goes ‘the wheels on the bus go round and round’ and three hours later the team arrived at their destination. Filled with anticipation and excitement, they set off on their very personal charity challenge.
The matrons set off down the country road as they made their way towards the highest mountain in Wales. Set at 1,085 metres above sea level and located in Snowdonia National Park it offers stunning views both from the bottom and the top. Julie remarked: “It was breathtakingly beautiful and a little bit daunting all at the same time. We knew what we had committed to so we set off for the summit. As first-time climbers, we took the Llanberis Path as it was the most gradual route to the top.”
Eight hours after beginning their climb the team reached the peak and saw for themselves the stunning views of Snowdonia. “It was all worth it,” said Julie. “This was a unique experience and, we were under no illusions as to how much it would test us, but with the support of each other we saw it through and I’m glad we did. Aside from the fundraising element, another thing we wanted to focus on was team building. We work closely together, and we wanted to strengthen our already tight bonds by doing something outside of work as a team.
“I must say a huge well done to all of the matrons who took part. Steph Coates, Jody Stubbs, Sam Waldren, Helen Mallard, Antoinette Cummings, Annabel Botterill, Michael Brennan, Helen McGivney and Deb Fretwell – thank you for your dedication and such a memorable day.”
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