Monthly archives: February 2021

Maintenance affecting the HIE Portal: 18 February

There is an essential maintenance taking place on Thursday 18 February to the HIE Portal in order for our supporting vendor Cerner to apply a fix regarding GP practices displaying as the practice code instead of the practice name in the Reporting Tool within the HIE records.

This will result in the HIE Portal that displays Unity and GP information being unavailable for up to 20 minutes from 6am – 6:20am, Thursday 18 February. Please be assured GPs have alternate means to view this the information via the ICE system. Trust clinicians only use HIE for supplementary GP information on occasions.

Please be assured the activity will be closely monitored at all times.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Still time to get your COVID-19 vaccine at Sandwell and City

Colleagues who have had their first dose of the COVID vaccine will be aware that on attending your first appointment your second appointment will be booked – you do not have to phone to book your second appointment. If you have an appointment with the Trust for your first vaccine and then are offered it elsewhere, please cancel your booked appointment to ensure we have as much notice as possible to rebook your slot. Unfortunately we have experienced a high number of DNAs recently which could potentially cause significant wastage.

The vaccine hubs at Sandwell and City will stop offering first doses after this week in order to support the allocation of vaccine supplies across the system so that priority groups are able to be vaccinated as quickly as possible. The facility will reopen in March to administer second doses. If you require a vaccine after this week please see more information about alternative vaccination centres on Connect by clicking here.

There are still slots available for first doses of the vaccine this week in the Vaccine Hub at Sandwell Hospital Education Centre and the Vaccine Hub at City Hospital which located in the Cardiac Rehab Gym in the Ground Floor of the Sheldon Building

To book please call 0121 507 4112 between 8am – 8pm.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Today is the 6^th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science and to mark it we’d like to pay tribute to the efforts of all our female colleagues working in scientific roles across the Trust. Here we feature two of our esteemed colleagues who are leading the way in their fields and inspiring the next generation to choose a career in science. We’ll be publishing more in the February edition of Connect, so if you are a woman working in science at the Trust, please get in touch and share your career highlights. Please email vanya.rogers@nhs.net with your contact details if you’d like to get involved.

Jilly Croasdale, Head of Radiopharmacy and Associate Director Healthcare Science

As Head of Radiopharmacy, Jilly runs the operation for making medical isotopes for use in Nuclear Medicine studies. In her role as Associate Director, Healthcare Science she is the Lead Scientist, representing all the Healthcare Scientists who work for the Trust. She said: “I get a lot of satisfaction from driving forward new ideas and from getting things done. The team of people I have in my Radiopharmacy are brilliant. We’ve worked together to bring about real change and improvements in quality. I love being in a busy and energised environment, and thrive on new challenges. I enjoy working with my team, and feel like I’m making a difference.

Dr Tranprit Saluja, Consultant Microbiologist and Trust Infection Prevention and Control doctor.

Dr Saluja – known as Taran – has made fighting infection her life’s work. In addition to leading Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust’s Infection Control Service as IPC doctor since 2017, the accomplished microbiologist is also deputy chair of the regional infection control forum, and an honorary senior lecturer at Aston University. Her special interest is in the impact of infection on the body and how it can be fought off, antimicrobial stewardship and emerging antimicrobial resistance. When COVID hit last year Taran was at the forefront of the Trust’s response and has been splitting her time with a mix of clinical duties, on-call commitments, doing rounds and managing infection control.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Wednesday 10 February

1. New: COVID-19 vaccine

The vaccine hub at Sandwell will stop offering first doses after this week in order to support the allocation of vaccine supplies across the system so that priority groups are able to be vaccinated as quickly as possible. The facility will reopen in March to administer second doses. If you require a vaccine after this week please see more information about alternative vaccination centres on Connect by clicking here.

There are still slots available for first doses of the vaccine this week in the Vaccine Hub at Sandwell Hospital Education Centre.

To book please call 0121 507 4112 between 8am – 8pm.

2. Reminder: Collect your LAMP testing kit

In Monday’s bulletin we advised colleagues that we are due to switch over to LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) testing from the Lateral Flow test. If you are in the following directorates, you MUST collect your kit before Monday 15^th February.

Admitted Care A
Admitted Care B
Emergency Care

ONLY colleagues from these directorates should ring 0121507 2664 option 6, Monday to Friday between 8am–6pm or Saturday and Sunday on 07816992873, between 8:30am-4pm to register and book your kit collection slot. Next week we will advise the next group to collect their tests before Monday 22 February, so please look out for this important information. The roll out plan is available here.

LAMP testing is a weekly test where your saliva will be sent off to the lab to be tested. Results are processed quicker than the usual PCR swab tests. Instructions on how to perform the test can be accessed by clicking here. If the result comes back positive you and your household will need to immediately isolate for 10 days and you will not require a PCR swab test to confirm the result.

By 22 March, we will have testing available for all staff. You should continue with the lateral flow testing until you move to the LAMP testing programme. If you have kit left over from your lateral flow tests please return these to your service area and we will arrange for left over testing kit to be collected. If you are at the end of your Lateral Flow Test kit and not due to transition over before you run out of kit, please contact the Community Contact Centre on 0121 507 2664 option 6.

You can read the Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here

3. Reminder: Restricted visiting arrangements for inpatients

We’d like to remind colleagues that although visiting restrictions remain in place for all inpatients, there are exceptional circumstances where limited visiting is allowed, for example for young patients, those who lack mental capacity and patients who are at the end of their life. For these patients it is really important – not least as an act of kindness – that we are able to safely facilitate limited visiting rather than adopt a blanket ban, so please if in doubt ask your group for advice. There are also arrangements in place to allow limited visiting on postnatal wards, a partner to accompany scanning appointments and an additional birthing partner.

It is essential to note that even for these groups visiting is NOT ALLOWED by anyone who is self-isolating, regardless of the circumstances.

COVID-19 vaccination slots available throughout this week at Sandwell

Colleagues who have had their first dose of the COVID vaccine will be aware that on attending your first appointment your second appointment will be booked – you do not have to phone to book your second appointment. If you have an appointment with the Trust for your vaccine and then are offered it elsewhere, please cancel your booked appointment to ensure we have as much notice as possible to rebook your slot. Unfortunately we have experienced a high number of DNAs recently which could potentially cause significant wastage.

There are still slots available for first doses of the vaccine this week in the Vaccine Hub at Sandwell Hospital Education Centre.

To book please call 0121 507 4112 between 8am – 8pm. For more information about the vaccine, please visit our Connect page by clicking here.

National Apprenticeship Week

This week is National Apprenticeship Week. The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships aims to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

To celebrate the awareness week, throughout this week, we will be promoting and sharing content around out apprentices and their fantastic contributions and efforts.

Max Newbould, Simulation Technician

Max was our 2020 Learner of the Year winner at this year’s Star Awards. Be sure to check out this short video featuring Max talking about completing his Business Administrator Level 3 as part of the apprenticeship programme.

Apprenticeship FAQs: Some colleagues have preconceptions about the word ‘apprenticeship’ so be sure to check out some of our myth busters to clarify any concerns you may have – Apprenticeship FAQs.

If you are interested in any degree and higher level apprenticeships, please take a look at what is available by clicking here and if something is of interest please contact swbh.apprenticeship@nhs.net for the next steps.

Jonha Rizkalla (JR) retirement this Friday

Jonha Rizkalla (known to most as as JR), ED Consultant at Sandwell will be retiring from the Trust on Friday 12 February.

Should anyone wish to say farewell to him, there is a drop in session in Rooms 12 and 13 at the Education Centre at Sandwell on Friday 12 February between 1pm – 3pm.

Note: There will also be WebEx link for anyone wishing to join remotely. Please email theresahateley@nhs.net for the WebEx link.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Getting a better night’s sleep

good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health and wellbeing. In fact, it’s equally as important as eating healthy and exercising. Unfortunately, there’s a lot that can interfere with natural sleep patterns which means people are now sleeping less than they did in the past.

Here are some top tips for getting a better night’s sleep:

Keep regular sleep hours: Going to bed when you feel tired and getting up at roughly the same time helps teach your body to sleep better. Try to avoid napping where possible.
Confront sleeplessness: If you are lying awake unable to sleep, do not force it. Get up and do something relaxing for a bit, and return to bed when you feel sleepier.
Create a restful environment: Dark, quiet and cool environments generally make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Watch our video for tips on how to sleep better.
Write down your worries: If you often lie awake worrying about tomorrow, set aside time before bed to make a list for the next day. This can help put your mind at rest. This also works if you wake up in the middle of the night writing the idea down help put that to the back of your mind till you wake up.
Move more, sleep better: Being active can help you sleep better. These videos can get you going, but remember to avoid vigorous activity near bedtime if it affects your sleep. Exercise you can do from home.
Put down the pick-me-ups: Caffeine and alcohol can stop you falling asleep and prevent deep sleep. Try to cut down on alcohol and avoid caffeine close to bedtime.

There is a variety of support lines the Trust offers for colleagues regarding mental health and wellbeing:

Book a chat at the sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886
Call our counselling service on 0800 06 96 222 between 7am – 11pm
Have a conversation with one of our REACT Practitioners by calling 0121 507 5886
Bereavement support can be accessed by calling 0300 303 4434 between 8am – 8pm

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 9 February

1. New: COVID-19 vaccination slots available throughout this week at Sandwell

If you are yet to get your first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, there are still several slots available for both clinical and non-clinical colleagues at Sandwell Hospital. The Vaccine Hub at Sandwell is located in the Education Centre.

Note: Your second dose will be booked once you have had your first dose of the vaccination.

To book your COVID-19 vaccination please call 0121 507 4112 between 8am – 8pm.

For more information about the vaccine, please visit our Connect page by clicking here.

2. New: Fighting COVID…with kindness

We are fast approaching the first anniversary of the impact of COVID wave one, and we are exhausted. Things have changed, our routines, our rituals and our habits. For some of us our job roles have changed, our working patterns, our sites and our colleagues. But this is not a time to look back in sadness, it is a time to look to the future, to support our colleagues – old and new, and to take a stand against the aftermath of COVID by showing each other kindness. The definition of kindness is a type of behaviour marked by acts of generosity, consideration, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward. But it is much more than that, it is the choice you make to brighten a moment in someone’s day and give them the glow of wellbeing, as they appreciate what you have just done. Kindness is a global movement that we can all share, and will make everyone who participates feel just a little better as we work our way out of the pandemic.

We’ve heard some touching stories of kindness from colleagues across the organisation, and we’d like to hear more. Do you have a story – however small – to share? Sometimes a small act can become planet sized in effect, so let us know by sharing your story at swbh.comms@nhs.net so we can recognise our #GiantsOfKindness.

3. New: Keeping the tanks topped up

In a bid to provide a simple solution to colleagues needing a snack or drink during breaks, we are currently offering free food for colleagues through £4 vouchers, which are redeemable through our in-house catering outlets. As this was a quick response to an urgent need, we rolled the initiative out at pace without time to design a comprehensive distribution system, however we’d like to be clear the vouchers are available to all colleagues at work.

The aim is that they are shared fairly across wards, teams and departments, and we are reviewing how this is working. There is no monetary value to the vouchers, and therefore change cannot be given. We understand that at times colleagues may be buying on behalf of team members, but where possible, one voucher per transaction please.

4. Reminder: Looking after your wellbeing – pause and join in with mindful yoga with Chris

There is now a collection of up to 12 yoga videos on Connect as part of the “Mindful Yoga with Chris” series. The most recent additions are designed to help colleagues relax and switch-off after work.

There are multiple benefits of yoga both mentally and physically as it may help reduce stress and improve relaxation levels.

Click here to access all the sessions.

It’s National Apprenticeship Week

This week is National Apprenticeship Week. The annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships aims to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

To celebrate the awareness week, throughout this week, we will be promoting and sharing content around out apprentices and their fantastic contributions and efforts.

Karen Connaughton, Ward Service Officer – Customer Service Level 2, Maths and English Level 1 and 2

Be sure to check out this short video featuring Karen talking about her experiences being on an apprenticeship programme at SWB and how the her Customer Service Level 2 has benefitted her in her role at the Trust.

Do you feel you’re ready to upskill yourself?

We’re currently offering a range of apprenticeship programmes using online and remote delivery methods. The cost for the apprenticeships will be funded through the apprenticeship levy.

The courses available are:

Clinical:

Health Care Support Worker: Level 2
Senior Healthcare Support Worker: Level 3

Non-clinical

Team Leading/Supervisor: Level 3
Business Administrator: Level 3
Customer Service Specialist: Level 3
Customer Service Practitioner: Level 2

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Monthly archives: February 2021

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