Monthly archives: January 2021

Star of the Week – Jannine Hall

Star of the Week this week is Jannine Hall, Senior Occupational Therapist.

Nominating Jannine for the weekly honour, Rehab Support Worker Janette Scott wrote, “Jannine always looks after people before herself, this makes her the most selfless person I have ever met!

“She is kind and she really cares about the people she is working with and the patients that are in her care.

“She listens when you need to be heard and I am so grateful for that, but most of all she never lets you give up on yourself. She makes us all feel our worth. I truly feel like a valued member of the team.

“We are so lucky to have her. For me she is my Christmas star”

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.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 4 January

1. New message: First week of vaccination campaign heralded a success

Following a remarkable team effort to pull together a process to deliver our vaccination campaign, we are delighted to advise that we have ensured every vaccination found an arm, thereby securing a 100 per cent success record for our first week. Thank you to every colleague who has contributed to this outstanding start of our campaign to deliver the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and to colleagues who attended their appointment to receive their jab.

Today we started to vaccinate vulnerable patients aged 80 and above. Pictured is 81 year old Ivy Mclean from Sandwell who was one of our first patients to have had the COVID vaccination earlier this afternoon with Hayley Griffiths, Clinical Education Sister who administered the vaccine.

2. New message: One mask per face please!

Colleagues on City site have been reporting that they are having difficulty in finding a surgical face mask at the PPE entrances along the ground floor corridor, when they enter from staff only entrances. This is due to people taking more than one mask, or even in some cases taking a whole box – leaving none for colleagues who come along after them. Obviously this is not acceptable, so we would remind colleagues to respect the rules, and save us the bother of checking CCTV to identify culprits.

The PPE stations are manned from 9am through to 7pm, where previously they had been manned from 7am. Every night the PPE stock is replenished, and extra supplies left in cupboards in every unit. Hence there is no excuse not to wear a mask on entry to City hospital. We will be reviewing how this works over the next few days and do not expect to see anyone disregarding this important IPC measure to guard against transmission of the virus.

3. Updated message: COVID-19 discharge pack revised

The discharge pack for patients has been revised, and is now available to order from medical illustration. It contains guidance including how to manage symptoms and staying safe at home. Before discharging your patients, please ensure you explain the contents of the leaflet and ensure they have a copy to take home as part of the discharge process.

You can order copies by emailing medical illustration on swb-tr.SWBH-GM-MIorders@nhs.net quoting reference code ML6293. Please destroy any printed copies of the previous version that you have to ensure you do not inadvertently use the wrong version.

Note: Please ensure you include the information requested below when contacting Medical Illustration regarding a print order.

4. Updated message: Desperately seeking scrubs

This is no mid 80s film script – this is a plea to the heart of our organisation. Despite repeated reminders we continue to be in a desperate situation regarding the lack of scrubs, even though we have once again invested in a bulk order of new scrubs to replace those that have been taken without authority. Unbelievably they too have vanished leaving us in a vulnerable position when trying to maintain our service. It is not only essential, but a matter of respect for others that colleagues abide by the rules and return the scrubs they have worn. This is not optional but a matter of urgency, as we do not have sufficient sets of scrubs to meet the increase in demand as many have disappeared, been worn or taken home, contrary to Trust policy.

All used scrubs must be placed in the blue trollies situated on the links and in departmental areas so they can be laundered and put back in to circulation.

Harsher penalties will be introduced should you not return scrubs. You will be challenged if caught in person or on camera arriving in or leaving the hospital in scrubs. There is no special circumstance that allows ANY colleague to disregard this rule.  

No scrubs rules:

• No scrubs should be stockpiled in lockers – they must be laundered regularly on site
• No scrubs should be binned, they should be deposited in to the blue trollies situated on the links and in departmental areas
• No scrubs should be worn outside the hospital or while travelling to and from hospital or taken home for laundering. By doing so you are putting yourself, your family and the public at risk.

5. Repeat message: Need a rapid swab? Please use the blue bags for now

We are almost out of purple bags, so as a temporary measure, colleagues who need urgent COVID tests to be processed are being asked to use the blue bags along with the urgent stickers.

It is the responsibility of wards to ensure that they have adequate stock of COVID-19 swabs and sample bags for the weekends and out of hours. If you need these bags out of hours they can be collected from D18 at City Hospital and the Bryan Knight Suite at Sandwell. The labs are open until 10pm Monday to Friday meaning if you submit samples up to 8pm they will be processed the same day, however they are only open to 5pm at the week-end and there is no overnight service so rapid swabs are not processed overnight but will be done the following working day.

Urgent samples: Please ensure that the ‘Urgent 2 Hour TAT’ sticker is attached to the outer blue transport bag and is hand delivered to pathology reception.

Mouth care matters training across Sandwell wards: 10 – 14 January

SWB are keen to embed mouth care matters across the Trust. This is a crucial part of the fundamental of care work and essential to aid good nutrition and prevent hospital acquired pneumonia.

With this in mind, throughout the week of 10 – 14 January, 10am – 5pm, representatives from Stryker alongside Jody Stubbs, Matron will be visiting all of our wards across Sandwell Hospital to support the training and embedding of mouth care matters. This training is aimed at all clinical colleagues, with an emphasis on nursing.

For more information please email jody.stubbs@nhs.net.

If you need to contact Stryker directly, please email martin.clinton@stryker.com or call 07896 649364.

Heartbeat: Charity cash boost for frontline staff

When the first wave of the pandemic hit, our Trust was supported without hesitation by our local community. Acts of kindness and donations came from groups, individuals and schools – all of whom wanted to help make the experience of our staff that little bit better during a tough time.

One such donation came from the Aashiana charity group. After a vote, the group donated £1,000 in cash that was split equally between food for our frontline colleagues and critical care.

Ashok Puri, Chairman of Aashiana, commented: “When we saw the effects of the pandemic on the hospital staff we knew as a group that we wanted to do something to help. As a group, we decided to donate £1,000 to help staff at SWBH.

“This isn’t our first donation to the Trust. In the past, we have donated wheelchairs to BMEC and, we knew that with everything going on, we had to do something to help ease the strain on the hardworking people on the frontline.”

Johnny Shah, Head of Your Trust Charity, said: “The past 12 months have placed a strain on our services but what it has shown us is that we are lucky to be surrounded by so many kind-hearted people and community groups.

“We used the funds to purchase food and refreshments and also helped provide additional support to our critical care team.”

Newton 5 relocating to D12 on 6 January

The Haemato-oncology inpatient service will be moving on Wednesday 6 January from Newton 5 at Sandwell to its new home on D12 at City Hospital.

This move will provide better facilities for patients with single en-suite rooms meaning they are more protected from risk of infection, have greater privacy and allow more flexibility for gender mix. The move will also create additional, much needed  bed capacity at Sandwell Hospital.

The haematology oncology service will continue to see outpatients at Sandwell. All patients have been written to about this move.

For more information please contact Sarah Wiltshire on 0121 507 5758 or Yasmin Hasan on 0121 507 5358.

Brexit Bulletin – 4 January

The transition period for the UK exiting the EU has now ended and a trade deal has been reached which now means that the risks of no deal have been mitigated. Read on for a summary of the key areas that have been assessed and what you need to do.

Medicines

We are not anticipating supply issues so please:

• Prescribe and dispense as normal – Explain to patients that they should continue to order their prescriptions as normal. Prescriptions covering longer durations than normally prescribed should be avoided.

We are advised not to stockpile medicines due to the impact on other health care providers. Our pharmacy team will be monitoring our stock levels and will escalate if there is any likelihood of a shortage in supply. Please contact Pun Sharma, Chief Pharmacist if any concerns.

Medical devices, clinical consumables, non-clinical goods and services

Measures are in place to help ensure stocks continue to be available even if there are transport delays.

Don’t stockpile products: Please ensure that you order supplies in good time and allow for a lead time of around three days or longer for products and services coming directly from the EU.

Please contact Mike Hanson, Director of Procurement if any concerns or queries.

Workforce

• Our EU colleagues make a substantial contribution to our NHS Trust as valued employees. Everyone who is identified on their staff record (ESR) as being an EU national has been contacted with advice on how to register for the EU Settlement scheme. This is open to all EU citizens, including NHS staff, and can allow EU nationals to gain ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled status’. The Settlement Scheme will allow EU nationals to continue to live and work in the UK beyond June 2021, meaning they will not need to apply for visas when the new immigration system takes effect. The scheme will also lock in the rights of EU nationals, meaning they will be able to access healthcare, benefits and other government services in the same way they currently do. If you are from the EU and have not already done so, you are encouraged to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. You can do this up until 30 June 2021.
• Employment contracts will not need to change for EU citizens legally resident in the UK on 31 December 2020.
• Recognition of professional qualifications will apply for at least two years after the end of the transition period.
• Immigration Bill – most healthcare roles are exempt from the restrictions imposed by the Immigration Bill.
• The immigration surcharge – does not apply to registered professionals and their family members.

Data

• We are advised to continue to handle data as we currently do (which is covered by GDPR).
• The agreement the Government has reached includes a provision to provide for the continued free flow of personal data from the EU and EEA EFTA States to the UK until adequacy decisions are adopted, and for not longer than six months.
• The UK has, on a transitional basis, deemed the EU and EEA EFTA States to be adequate to allow to for data flows from the UK.

Reciprocal healthcare and cost recovery

• A new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will be available from the new year in recognition of the new agreement with the EU. This will replace the EHIC.
• The agreement the Government has reached with the EU ensures that UK residents will continue to have access to emergency and necessary healthcare cover when they travel to the EU. This will operate like the current EHIC scheme.
• However, people will still be able to use their EHIC after 1 January when travelling to the EU. Current cards will remain valid until their expiry date.
• There are no changes regarding overseas visitors therefore patients must still be asked the same questions regarding their status and referred as normal to the Overseas Visitor team.

Vaccines

We are advised not to stock pile vaccines and will be monitoring stock levels and working with partners to agree any contingency and collaboration arrangements. The NHS nationally will be monitoring vaccine supply. Any COVID-19 vaccine will be included in the planning arrangements. As any vaccine would be a category 1 good, it will be covered by the express freight capacity if needed.

Blood and transplant

• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHS BT) will continue to function as it does now, including its arrangements for reference services.
• NHSBT products should not be stock piled.
• Ordering/requests for tissue products and stem cells should continue as normal. Tissues must not be stockpiled.

Research and clinical networks

The NHS and government are working with organisations sponsoring and running clinical trials and investigations to ensure that research continues as normal in the coming months.

• Continue participating in and recruiting patients to clinical trials and investigations. Only stop recruitment if you are requested to do so by a trial sponsor, the organisation managing the trial or clinical investigation, or in a formal communication from MHRA.
• Principle investigators are encouraged to work with their suppliers to review their existing supply chains for clinical trials, to ensure appropriate supplies of trial drugs and medical products are in place.
• Continue to monitor and follow guidance from NIHR and MHRA in relation to how to operate from 1 January 2021, including the running of clinical trials, importing and exporting medical products.
• Clinical trial sponsors should ensure appropriate supplies of trial drugs and medical products are in place.

For more information contact Gina Dutton, Head of Research and Development.

Further information

• The agreement deal: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreements-reached-between-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-and-the-european-union
• EU exit key messages for NHS colleagues

Dinah McLannahan, Chief Finance Officer is the Trust’s Senior Responsible Officer for Brexit and can be contacted if any concerns.

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 1 January

Happy New Year!

It being New Year’s Day I wanted to begin by wishing you all the best for a better year ahead. Many of our services remain under critical, significant pressure at present, and my thanks to all of you who are working under such difficult circumstances and have been for some time. Everyone is contributing hugely to keeping our patients safe with the increase in numbers of patients who are testing positive for COVID-19 that appears to be continuing to rise. Our enhanced bank rates are extended up to the end of February and there is even a bonus available for additional shifts worked this weekend. If you are not yet signed up to the bank please do so at

swb-tr.trustbankrequest@nhs.net or call 0121 507 3600 to make the most of this time-limited offer and support your colleagues and our patients.

Despite the trying times at present, including the new tier 4 restrictions that will be impacting on all of us, there is hope for the weeks, months and the year ahead.

This week has truly been a milestone in the fight against COVID-19 as the Oxford vaccine was approved for use in the UK and as we established the Trust’s vaccine hub at Sandwell Hospital. This follows the sterling work of Your Health Partnership in our Primary Care, Communities and Therapies Group who were one of the first primary care networks in the country to begin vaccinating their vulnerable patients. I am pleased that hundreds of staff and patients and have already received their first doses of this vital vaccine at Walsall Manor and Whiteheath Medical Centre in Oldbury, and we are now able to provide the vaccine from the Education Centre for patients and staff in high/ medium risk categories or working with COVID+ patients. Staff at our local care homes will also be invited to book an appointment. This is a huge vaccination programme for the whole country and it will take time before every health and care worker, key worker and vulnerable individual is vaccinated. You will be contacted when it is your opportunity to book an appointment for the vaccine and it is my strong hope that each one of you takes up this opportunity to protect yourselves, your loved ones and your patients. The two vaccines that have been approved to date have been rigorously tested and gone through all the right regulatory processes to ensure they are safe and effective. Have a look at these Q&As if you have queries and look out for our staff Q&A sessions coming up in early January. My thanks to everyone who has been involved in our vaccination programme to date. With very short notice, and despite last minute changes, we have managed to create a fit for purpose vaccine hub that is working well and is effective in vaccinating those priority groups of people.

In the meantime, we must continue to remain vigilant, ensuring that we rigorously abide by all the right infection prevention and control policies and the new tier 4 restrictions. The new variant strain is more transmissible than the virus we are used to dealing with and it is likely to be spreading increasingly around the country. Be extra careful, wherever you are. The IPC guidance remains just as effective against this new strain.

Next week our haematology ward moves from Newton 5 over to the refurbished D12 at City Hospital providing improved facilities for haemato-oncology patients who require admission. The N5 ward will allow additional bed capacity at Sandwell Hospital which is much needed. We wish the team well with the move.

And of course, tonight the Brexit transition period ends and you will know that a trade deal has been agreed. Monday’s communications bulletin will focus solely on Brexit arrangements summarising the key issues and arrangements that are in place to minimise disruption. We believe we are in a good place and have assured ourselves of our supply chain routes in. You are reminded that, whilst we are not stockpiling, we should plan for a 24-72 hour delay in supplies arriving from the EU so ensure you order your supplies slightly ahead of when you normally need them. Mike Hanson and the rest of the procurement team are available to help with any queries about supplies and consumables.

All of us will be either working tonight or having a quiet “at home” tier 4 New Year’s Eve, so I wanted to thank particularly local musicians Dennis Seaton (frontman for 80s reggae band Musical Youth) and Birmingham born artist Apache Indian who have recorded special performance for colleagues at the Trust and for the wider NHS. You can view Dennis’ music here and Apache’s music here and even maybe sing or dance along whatever you are doing this evening.

2021 will continue to provide challenges as well as great opportunities for our Trust and our people. We will of course, be managing the impact of COVID-19 but we will also turn our attention to really important matters to ensure that our Trust continues to provide the best integrated care for our population. This means supporting people in our communities with their health and wellbeing, developing our clinical pathways to best benefit patients, improving the quality of our services, integrating care around our patients, ensuring safety, developing our digital capabilities further and changing now to get ready for our fantastic new acute hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. The need to look to the future remains ever present, as we continue to deal with the day to day pressures we are experiencing. I wish you a happy and healthy 2021.

Dr David Carruthers, Acting Chief Executive