Monthly archives: January 2021

Symptom Control update

Meet Dr Rebecca Dawber one of our SWBH Palliative Medicine Consultants. Here she is giving an overview of symptom control. Access the 15 minute video here

Who, when and why choose palliative care?

Meet Dr Mariam George one of our SWBH palliative medicine consultants, in this 20 minute video she gives and over view of what palliative care is and who it is for. Access film here.

COVID-19 Bulletin Mental Health Edition: Wednesday 13 January

Wellbeing Wednesday: Become fit and fabulous in 2021

Have you ever thought about completing the couch to 5K in 2021? You can build up your approach from sitting on your sofa to running 5K in just 9 weeks and reap the rewards as you build up your fitness levels.

It couldn’t be easier – here is an example:

Number 1: For your three runs in week 1, you will begin with a brisk 5-minute walk. After this, you will alternate 1 minute of running and 1-and-a-half minutes of walking. Rest days are included and it’s a fun thing to start in lockdown.

Click here for further details regarding a running plan for beginners for couch to 5K as a well a video featuring Laura who went from a fitness phobe to keen runner with the Couch to 5K programme.

Wellbeing together newsletter:

Be sure to check out the winter 2020/21 wellbeing together newsletter which features a variety of mental health and wellbeing support services plus much more! You can access the latest newsletter by clicking here.

Who to contact should you need to book a blood test

Should you need to book an appointment for a blood test you should now call 0121 507 6104. Alternatively, you can email swbh.phlebotomy@nhs.net.

Reminder: The Sandwell phlebotomy has now relocated to the outpatients area, corridor D on the first floor.

Dry January – Three Spirit online non-alcoholic drinks tasting, 16 January

Dry January – Three Spirit online non-alcoholic drinks tasting, 16 January, 7pm: Take part in an online non-alcoholic drink tasting session. Beforehand, you’ll be posted a drinks pack which will include three 5cl measures of each drink. On the night you can expect an interactive tasting with Dash, the head Alchemist at Three Spirit and Peter, the Drink Smith at Splits Drinks. The tasting will be hosted by local drinks retailer Splits Drinks in conjunction with our alcohol team and they will donate £5 of each sale towards Dry January.

Tickets cost just £25 and you can click here for more details about the event.

If you’re taking part in Dry January this year the alcohol team have a Just Giving page where the funds raised will go towards a FibroScan van. Click here to find out more and visit the page!

Dry January Poster

Are you opening your windows where possible?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread through very small aerosols and droplets released in exhaled breath. There is evidence to show that in some cases these aerosols can be carried more than 2m in the air and could cause infection if they are inhaled. This is most likely to happen in indoor environments when the ventilation in a room is poor.

If people spend sufficient longer periods of time in the room, the virus can build up in air and people can inhale enough of it to cause infection. With this in mind it is important that we open windows in staff rest rooms as well as wards to help reduce any possible build up – it’s something that you should also practice in your own homes too.

Now it won’t have escaped your notice just how cold it is recently, especially of an evening. However despite this it is still very important to have a degree of ventilation – in particular to those areas that rely on natural ventilation. So even if it’s cold, please make sure windows are opened. You can do this for 10 minutes and then close them and it will still make a difference.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 12 January

1. Update: PPE – Treat every patient as if they could be COVID+

Increased cases of COVID-19 in the community are having a huge impact on our services as we continue to see a high number of patients with Coronavirus.

You will be aware that patients regardless of whether they are on an Amber ward can very quickly test positive for COVID-19. In order to keep each other and all our patients safe, you are advised to treat each patient as being potentially COVID+ so you are reminded to adhere to PPE requirements in your area.

Before Christmas, we updated our guidance around PPE which includes clarification around when and where you should be bare below the elbows.

Key changes to the guidance include the following:

Don’t forget: In both Amber and high risk areas you must also wear eye protection for sessional use!

Colleagues carrying out a single Aerosol Generated Procedure (AGP), for example intubation, extubation, tracheomtomy, suctioning or those having close contact with a patient, should wear a single use gown with full sleeves with a plastic apron over the gown. Please remove the gown after the task is completed.

For sessional work within a VERY HIGH RISK area or an AGP area, a sessional gown with rolled up sleeves (BARE BELOW THE ELBOWS) should be worn. Colleagues should wear a disposable plastic apron over the sessional use gown and change this in between patients. Please wash your hands and arms in between patients.

This guidance is for ward areas only (not critical care) and for patient-facing clinical colleagues.

If you are visiting the ward from another area, a minimum requirement when entering the unit will be to wear a mask (please note: staff must follow their individual risk assessment for PPE).

This guidance must be followed so as we maintain strong infection prevention and control measures across all our sites.

 You are able to view the full guidance on PPE here including a document which explains the new policy on PPE.

These are the new posters – click to view as larger images:

Remember: PPE is only part of what is necessary in order to combat Coronavirus and keep ourselves, our patients and the wider public safe.

·         Regular and effective hand washing is the best way to reduce the spread of the virus.

·         Practice social distancing by leaving 2 metres (6ft) between you and those around you.

·         Wear a mask when in communal rooms for both clinical and non-clinical areas.

2. Update: Change to vaccination guidance – your second dose

You may already be aware that national guidance has recently changed with regard to the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to increase national immunity and help control the spread of the virus.

The priority now is to vaccinate as many high risk groups as soon as possible with the first dose of the vaccine. You will still need to have your second dose but it is important to remember:

• Receiving the first vaccine gives you very good immunity against the virus after 22 days.
• You will still receive your second booster dose – this will be 12 weeks after your first dose.
• Your second dose will be from the same manufacturer as the first.
• This change in timescale does not breach any legal rights or invalidate consent.
• This change has been agreed as clinically safe and effective by all four of the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.

If you have already received your first dose, you do not need to do anything – you will be contacted with a rescheduled appointment. All new vaccination appointments will be made with a 12 week follow up slot for the second dose.

Please continue to adhere to inflectional control measures including social distancing and the wearing of appropriate PPE at all times.

Could you be a vaccinator?

We are looking for colleagues to come forward and train to be part of our vaccination programme.

You do not need to be a registered health professional. If you can help out, contact Helen Bromage, Associate Chief Nurse (helen.bromage@nhs.net).

3. Update: Purple reigns again for swab tests

Purple bags are back in circulation.

If speed is of the essence with your sample, then purple bags make identification and prioritisation easier for the lab. These are replacing the “being phased out” urgent two hours priority stickers, which can still be used as necessary.

Wards must regularly check to ensure that they have adequate stock of COVID-19 swabs and purple bags for the weekends and out of hours.

Please note that rapid swabs are not processed overnight but will be done the following working day.
If you have an urgent sample:

• Place the correctly labelled specimen into a clear specimen bag and sealed fully
• Repeat this process, using the second larger clear zip locked specimen bag
• Add this doubled bagged specimen to a purple urgent COVID sample bag
• The purple urgent bag can now also be posted into the COVID drop off box.

Further information on processing samples can be found on Connect by clicking here.

4. Reminder: Windows of opportunity

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread through very small aerosols and droplets released in exhaled breath. There is evidence to show that in some cases these aerosols can be carried more than 2m in the air and could cause infection if they are inhaled. This is most likely to happen in indoor environments when the ventilation in a room is poor.

If people spend sufficient longer periods of time in the room, the virus can build up in air and people can inhale enough of it to cause infection. With this in mind it is important that we open windows in staff rest rooms as well as wards to help reduce any possible build up – it’s something that you should also practice in your own homes too.

Now it won’t have escaped your notice just how cold it is recently, especially of an evening. However despite this it is still very important to have a degree of ventilation – in particular to those areas that rely on natural ventilation. So even if it’s cold, please make sure windows are opened. You can do this for 10 minutes and then close them and it will still make a difference.

5. Reminder: Fit testing is handy dandy for a Handanhy

We have a large number (20,000+) of the Handanhy FFP3 masks in stock. If you already wear an Alpha mask, why not get fit tested for a Handanhy mask too?

To book yourself in for fit testing please call ext. 5050 and the team will book you into a slot at a site, date and time to suit you.

6. Reminder: Access to vaccine hub at Sandwell expanded

As the vaccination programme continues to roll out, we are able to widen the criteria for receiving the vaccine from our hub in Sandwell.

Initially vaccines were being offered to very high, high and moderate risk staff as well as those who were in contact with patients with COVID-19. However we’re now in a position to offer any staff members who have direct patient contact to make an appointment to receive the vaccine too.

Colleagues meeting this criteria, including any in “red” areas who have yet to do so, should contact the booking team on 0121 507 4112 to arrange a suitable appointment time.

Please look out for further updates about the vaccine hub in future editions of the COVID-19 bulletin.

Heartbeat: Hello my name is… Dani Joseph

We say hello to a familiar face as Dani Joseph joins imaging. We caught up with her to find out her new role.

Dani has had a varied career to date. Looking back at her career path, she recalls: “I worked as a healthcare assistant when I was at university in Bristol on renal and paediatric wards. I then went on to spend a year in immunology labs during my biomedical science degree. I did a master’s degree in human rights and focused a lot of my work on refugee and healthcare rights. I also did a lot of voluntary work during that time – Samaritans, Red Cross and Sense. My first experience of running anything was the local charity we set up in Bristol giving support and advice to anyone with issues around asylum, refugee or any other kind of migration status.”

Speaking of joining the NHS, Dani commented: “I initially joined the NHS via the management training scheme. It was a brilliant experience, and, I always promote it to others.

“After the scheme, I moved to Stoke on Trent and worked in oncology and haematology splitting and merging the services with those at Royal Stoke Hospital. I went on to manage several surgical specialities with a large bed base and, focused a significant amount of time to developing nurse-led services and advanced practice within colorectal and urology.”

For the past three years, Dani and her husband have lived in Birmingham. She told us: “For the first year I worked at University Hospitals Birmingham managing general surgery. I moved to SWBH in September 2018 as deputy group director of operations for women and child health. It was a great welcoming to SWBH and, I quickly realised what fantastic people work here and how dedicated they are to the patients we look after. When I wanted to apply for a group director of operations role, I knew I wanted to do that at SWBH, working and building on the positives I could already see.”

Dani has recently moved to the imaging department, and is enjoying the new area and everything it has to offer. “It is an incredibly diverse and technically focused area. I love how the team come from many different professional backgrounds – we have nurses, doctors, scientists, radiographers, technicians, support workers and administrative functions. It’s a great example of a multi-disciplinary team working and brings a range of experience and opinions to any discussion.

“We’ve got some fascinating work developing at the moment. The department is progressing with some artificial intelligence projects and went live last month with a clinical application for acute ischaemic stroke. It will be an area to watch in the coming months and years.

“There have also been several national reports out on Diagnostics and Radiology, Get It Right First Time and an NHS England report by Professor Sir Mike Richards. Alongside greater regional collaboration since the pandemic started, this gives us a good platform for any improvement work. It is great to see that a number of the recommendations in these reports are things that the team pioneered and have embedded or are on our radar for implementation when we move to MMUH as part of our acute care model. It shows that we are leading regionally and indeed nationally on many fronts.”

So how have the team coped with the pandemic we asked. Dani explained: “COVID has been a challenge as it has been for the rest of the organisation. We have days where up to 40 per cent of the inpatients going through the department for scans or IR procedures are classified as ‘red’ and the team have a tried and tested process for managing the red and amber streams.

“Teams are working really hard to make sure we can support with early scanning sessions and extended inpatient capacity on the scanners at both sites. During the first wave, a large diagnostic backlog built up and the teams have done a fantastic job reducing those over the summer.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of workforce planning and this is something I intend to focus on over the next few years. We need to be flexible in how we work, whether this is home working or in the department. We also need to look at how we can deliver services outside of conventional role types and extend the use of advanced practice. The demand for diagnostics is increasing and this needs a real-time development to be able to deliver within the timescales needed by our patients.”

Heartbeat: Our apprentices make their mark on 2020

2020 has thrown lots of things our way, but it has not stopped colleagues from taking the opportunity to further their learning and focus on enhancing their careers within our Trust.

This month we introduce you to three such people who have excelled in apprenticeships in 2020.

Kajal Sondhi currently works as a volunteer service coordinator completed her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Team Leading at the end of October, obtaining a distinction.

The Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship aims to support aspiring Team Leaders and those in a first-line management role, with operational/ project responsibilities and responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. The programme provides direction, instructions and guidance for the team leader to be able to support, manage and develop their team members, manage projects, plan and monitor workloads and resources, deliver operational plans, resolve problems, and build relationships.

Kajal was thrilled to have completed her Level 3 programme with distinction. She told Heartbeat: “I am delighted I have finally finished my Level 3 apprenticeship. I believe the skills I have gained from completing this apprenticeship will allow me to play a better role in supporting my team, which will only benefit the volunteer service and our volunteers.”

Despite COVID-19, apprenticeships across the Trust for both clinical and non-clinical colleagues are still available and Maxine Griffiths, Widening Participation Manager/Apprenticeship Lead is encouraging those interested to seek more information.

She said: “If you feel you’re ready to upskill yourself you should consider an apprenticeship. We’re currently planning a range of apprenticeship programmes to start in December and 2021 using online and remote delivery methods to allow people to continue their learning. We have a variety of apprenticeships available across both Level 2 and 3 and, more importantly, the cost for the apprenticeships is funded through the apprenticeship levy. There is no charge to the individual or their department.

Also, we can support higher level and degree apprenticeships using Levy funding, so please contact us if you wish to explore your career development further.”

2020 has been a year for recognising individuals’ commitments to learning. In fact, two such people are Max Newbould and Rachael Gallagher who were highlighted in this year’s Star Awards. Both took time out to share their experiences with us.

Rachael works as Secretary/Admin Assistant as part of Estates. Speaking of her achievements over the last 12 months, she said: “Being the first person in the Trust to complete the Business Administration Apprenticeship Level 3 at the new standard and gaining a distinction was a big achievement.

“I was also part of a small team who worked on an internal proposal to keep the estates services in-house. Working on this exposed me to new levels of administration enhancing my skills even further.”

Max Newbould, Simulation Technician was awarded Learner of the Year at Star Awards 2020. He joined our workplace in April 2019 and has achieved plenty over the last 12 months.

Calling out of few of his successes he said: “Supporting the development of the simulation centre which opened in May 2019 was a big milestone. I also helped develop the new simulation space on D20 for undergraduate teaching (due to COVID). Furthermore I developed the sim centre Connect page.

“The Introduction of Signup Genius (e simulation bookings) to postgraduate has largely improved the way candidates and faculty book onto training sessions.

“I completed my Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship and I was delighted to be nominated for Apprentice of the Month. I look forward to continuously developing the quality of simulation sessions that we deliver in the centre and further continue my education and development in the Trust.”