Monthly archives: March 2021

Announcement of new Chair appointment

The Trust is pleased to announce that NHS England/Improvement has confirmed the appointment of Sir David Nicholson KCB CBE to take up the position of Trust Chairman from 1 May 2021.

Richard Samuda is retiring at the end of April, having completed three terms as Trust Chairman, over the past nine years.

During that period the Trust has secured the approval for the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital through the rigorous financial review process and progressed construction despite the change in contractor and the coronavirus pandemic. The new hospital will provide a legacy of improved healthcare provision for the population for decades to come as well as regeneration opportunities for the wider area.

Richard has been instrumental in ensuring the Trust has in place several key partnerships including those with primary care supporting the Trust’s key goal of being the best renowned integrated care organisation in the NHS. He has long committed to strong partnerships with different sectors including voluntary, faith and statutory organisations. He has played a key role in the Midland Met fundraising campaign to ensure that the new hospital is able to deliver more than just a hospital for the communities that it is designed to benefit.

He is looking forward to a well-earned break and maintaining his links within the local area.

Richard said: “It has been a real privilege to serve the population and the staff as Chairman. I have welcomed the contribution from so many Trust leaders, Non-Executive and Executive colleagues as we have jointly led the Trust through some significant achievements.

“The Trust is built by the people and I have met so many inspiring and dedicated colleagues who have put patient care at the heart of their service. I will continue to maintain my links to the local area and would like to thank the Trust’s partners who continue to work alongside us, recognising the strong collaborations we have formed to drive forward improvements in population health as well as care and treatment. I wish the Trust every success in the years ahead and am delighted that Sir David is taking the helm. His experience, knowledge and passion for the NHS and the people it serves will be a real asset to the Trust in moving forwards through recovery and restoration and the opportunities that the new hospital will bring.”

Sir David will retain his role as Chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which he has held for the past two years and is committed to leading both NHS Trusts through COVID-19 recovery and restoration, and beyond.

Sir David brings significant strategic and operational experience combined with knowledge of Birmingham and the Black Country, and a network of relationships that will benefit the Trust, STP and wider health and social care systems. He is highly supportive of the Trust’s strategic priority for partner based integrated care as a key under-pinning of the MMUH clinical and business case.

Sir David Nicholson’s career in NHS management spanned more than 30 years and included the most senior posts in the service. He was Chief Executive of the NHS for seven years from 2006-2013 and then, following a major national restructure, became the first Chief Executive of the organisation now known as NHS England from 2013-2014.

Since his retirement in 2014, he has taken on a number of international roles providing advice and guidance to governments and organisations focused on improving population health and universal healthcare coverage.

Sir David said: “I am very excited to be part of an organisation dedicated to improving health and tackling health inequalities and at the same time opening a fantastic hospital that will not only provide excellent healthcare facilities but will help regenerate the wider area.”

Richard Beeken, Interim Chief Executive said: “Richard Samuda has completed nine years of incredible public service as Chairman and helped the Trust make significant strides forward, for which we are very grateful. Sir David brings wisdom and considerable experience to the Trust and I have every confidence he will use this to best lead the Board for the benefit of the people we serve. I am looking forward to welcoming him to the organisation.”

Heartbeat: Bringing clarity to commissioning and contracts

Contracts, commissioning, tariffs and agreements, four words you would not necessarily associate with the ‘free at the point of use’ National Health Service model that we have all grown to love. However, without these measures in place, you would be surprised to learn that we most likely would not be able to deliver any care at all.

Every service we provide, every clinic available, every patient we see and every procedure we carry out is impacted by commissioning, contracts, agreements and the management of these. It dictates how much funding and support each will receive and balancing out the funding and the increase in demand for these services.

This complex world of contracts and income is often something we often take for granted. It is something that is magically there, bestowed upon us from the government and we are funded to help mend people, fix broken bones and deliver babies, but along with this comes an intricate framework of conditions, particulars and obligations.

To help colleagues find their way, the newest member of the income and contracts team joining the Trust in April 2020 has taken the time to develop a getting to know the basics guide in contracting and income.

To find out more, Heartbeat spoke to Contracts and Income Officer, Demi Jennings.

Demi said: “Patients, the public and often colleagues don’t always understand that there is a complex process in place that helps our Trust secure funding to pay for services, the income agreed through this work is used to fund patient centred high-quality services that we deliver through our care. But it’s important to understand that without this income and structured contracting, we can’t deliver care, we can’t pay wages, and we can’t pay for equipment – it is essential.

“But importantly, it needs everyone’s understanding and support. As a team, we don’t necessarily know what a service needs in the way of funding, what the specification should be, what the objectives or outcomes should be, we need our colleagues across the Trust to work with us to help identify these and begin working as a more integrated team.

“It can be hard to understand at first, the NHS is funded through many different sources including, but not limited to, NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Groups, charitable funds and other NHS organisations. Through this elaborate network, meaningful conversations and a clear focus on patient centred care, we have to be able to offer a well organised and effective service to be able to agree on the funding for the care we deliver. And when it is time to improve our service, offer an alternative or to provide what the patients wants or needs, we have to renegotiate to secure the money needed to make these changes. But this all needs close working, understanding and support between clinical, operational and corporate teams to get the best outcomes for all.”

The handy guide that Demi has developed takes colleagues on a structured journey to understand the commissioning routes and cycle, responsibilities and processes that are in play to help us secure, manage and maintain long term contracts that allow us to deliver high quality best practice care. With insight into service development, activity planning, payment methods and quality requirements, the guide has become a must read for all newcomers to the NHS and due to the ever changing landscape of contracting to all healthcare staff.

To find out more about Income and Contracts, contact the income and contracts team on swbh.contracting@nhs.net and one of the team will be happy to help.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Difficult family relationships, counselling support and don’t take your worries home

Difficult family relationships: 

Have you been affected by relationship issues? Support is available from the NHS Relate Hub. During lockdown for some relationships have been difficult.

Are you feeling stress or anxiety in or out of the workplace?

• Family related worries
• No time to focus on your own health and wellbeing
• Challenges with partners, children, wider family, friends or colleagues

NHS colleagues can get confidential support from the relatehub.

For more information call 0300 303 4477.

Counselling support:

You have access to one-to-one counselling via occupational health on 0121 507 5886. NHS colleagues have direct access to a telephone counselling sessions 7am – 11pm just call 0800 06 96 222.

Don’t take your worries home:

Exit work

Creating a routine for arriving home and leaving your day at work. When exiting work, take a moment to visualise yourself leaving work, telling your brain that work is over. Visualise physically opening a drawer and placing your day and all your worries in and then closing the drawer.

Travel

Whether you drive, walk, or cycle home from work, spend this time noticing that you are leaving work, and travelling away, and moving forward towards home.

Arrive home

When you arrive home, it might be difficult to switch into being present and engaging with people or an activity. You may need some time to ground yourself into being in the home and amongst others. Grounding involves getting your body and mind to notice that you are physically at home and there are no longer the same stresses around you. Try to consistently repeat this routine everyday. Make it a new habit.

Are you worried about something? There is support for you daily. Here are some useful numbers resources. 

• Trouble Sleeping: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/sleep
• Just a chat in confidence: Booked a one to one chat with Lavinia Hines at the Wellbeing Sanctuary call 0121 507 5886 anyone can book this appointment for you.
• REACT practitioners: These colleagues have been trained to have a confidential conversation with you near to where you work. Email swbh.wellbeinghub@nhs.net to find out who is your nearest REACT Practitioner.

Note: Your contact details will never be shared without your permission. You will be given details of your nearest practitioner and you will contact them yourself. 

Desktop and laptop patching from 9am, 10 March

The Trust are continuing to increase the patching levels on all computers to help reduce the likelihood that cyber-attacks are successful and to improve the performance of desktops and laptops.

• Informatics will be doing this on a monthly basis.
• There will be 5 deployments based upon your laptop/desktop hostname/asset number spaced over 2 weeks.
• To find your hostname please go to your desktop where you will find the Hostname icon, double clicking that will open a window that displays your details. Alternatively look for your asset sticker.
  • Machines ending in 0,1 will be patched on the first Wednesday
  • Machines ending in 2,3 on the following Friday
  • Machines ending in 4,5 on the following Monday
  • Machines ending in 6,7 on the Wednesday
  • Machines ending in 8,9 on the following Friday
• When your computer is in its patching phase it will download the updates and may need rebooting.
• You will be given a message about rebooting allowing you time to finish what you are doing and save your work.
• Reboots can be deferred for two hours up to three occasions. However in order to ensure the laptop/desktop remains compliant it will reboot 8 hours after the first deferral if it hasn’t been permitted before then.

As always, 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.

Desktop and Laptop maintenance patching taking place from 9am Wednesday 10 March

The Trust are continuing to increase the patching levels on all computers to help reduce the likelihood that cyber-attacks are successful and to improve the performance of desktops and laptops.

• Informatics will be doing this on a monthly basis.
• There will be 5 deployments based upon your laptop/desktop hostname/asset number spaced over 2 weeks.
• To find your hostname please go to your desktop where you will find the Hostname icon, double clicking that will open a window that displays your details. Alternatively look for your asset sticker.
  • Machines ending in 0,1 will be patched on the first Wednesday
  • Machines ending in 2,3 on the following Friday
  • Machines ending in 4,5 on the following Monday
  • Machines ending in 6,7 on the Wednesday
  • Machines ending in 8,9 on the following Friday
• When your computer is in its patching phase it will download the updates and may need rebooting.
• You will be given a message about rebooting allowing you time to finish what you are doing and save your work.
• Reboots can be deferred for two hours up to three occasions. However in order to ensure the laptop/desktop remains compliant it will reboot 8 hours after the first deferral if it hasn’t been permitted before then.

As always, 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.

Maintaining and developing our estate with Engie

As the Engie go-live date draws ever closer, the first user group meeting took place virtually on 24 February.

Bringing together users from different departments and sites, the contract performance management team presented a packed agenda covering:

• An overview of the structure of the Engie contract
• What Engie will be responsible for
• Governance structure
• Using the helpdesk
• Response and rectification times
• Equipment maintenance
• The team going forward.

The session itself was interactive, with plenty of time for questions and discussions. Conversations centred around health and safety processes, specific equipment maintenance, and lots more.  The team will post these questions and answers on the FAQ section of the Engie intranet page, which is coming soon.

Engie representatives attended the session and over the coming months, they will be working closely with members of the Trust to develop relationships and have some meetings planned in to catch up.

These user groups aim to have each department represented and informed about our move to working with Engie. The next session will take place on 24 March. If you would like to attend, please email Suzanne.gray9@nhs.net.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 2 March

1. New: Provision of refreshments to Trust staff: Forthcoming changes

This latest wave of the pandemic has been particularly challenging and the Trust has tried to ensure that, as well as the psychological support on offer, your basic hydration and nutrition needs have also been looked after. Although the impact of the pandemic will be long-lasting, it is good news that patient numbers in our hospitals and in the community are beginning to decrease.

Over the last few months additional food and drink has been made available to teams who were struggling to get the time to buy their own refreshments. We expanded this to include provision for most teams, regardless of whether you were working on a COVID area or not, as a thank you gesture to recognise your hard work and commitment.

Following careful review we are reducing the free provision of food and drink over the next month as follows:

• Snacks and drinks will continue to be distributed weekly to wards and departments up to 31 March 2021
• W/C 8 March will be the last week of distribution of food vouchers, these can be exchanged for food in any of our catering retain outlets up to the 31 March 2021
• The last delivery of out of hours sandwiches is 3 March 2021
• The last delivery of frozen meals for out of hours use is 12 March 2021.
• Supplies direct to ICU, respiratory hub and ICU will end at the end of March.

Thanks go to the catering team for supplying the food and drink, to the volunteers who have delivered much of the snacks to ward areas and to community partners for donating some additional supplies.

2. New: Extension of enhanced bank rates

The Trust has agreed to continue offering the enhanced bank rates for nursing and therapy shifts as previously shared. The current enhancements will continue up to 31 March and we will be reviewing longer term bank rates along with our partner Trusts in Birmingham and the Black Country.

If you are interested in joining the Trust Bank please look at the information on Connect or contact the team on 0121 507 3600 or email  swb-tr.trustbankrequest@nhs.net.

3. Reminder: Trust the facts not fiction when it comes to getting your vaccination

In the UK, 20.5m jabs have been administered so far. Approximately 770,000 were second jabs, yet, there is a lot of misinformation and a lack of trust around getting vaccinated.

Colleagues and BAME members of the community, in particular, are being urged to ignore myths around the vaccine. Several videos on social channels such as WhatsApp contain inaccurate information.

Many famous faces have lent their support to combat this and encourage people to have their vaccination. One such person who has shared a message exclusively with SWB is ITV weatherman and our Star Awards host, Des Coleman.

In his video, Des says: “I know there is a lot of misinformation circulating about the vaccine, and that some people are intent on discouraging others to get vaccinated. Please look to trusted sources such as the NHS for your information.”

His message is echoed by Dr Masood Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer for the Black Country and West Birmingham CCG. He said: “In terms of vaccinations, one of the concerns is misinformation and there’s been a lot of that going around, whether it be through Facebook or WhatsApp.”

He added: “The vaccines don’t have animal products in, they don’t have foetal cells in, they certainly don’t have microchips and 5G, and if you’ve got any concerns, go to trusted sources.”

4. Reminder: Complacency is our enemy – we must continue to wear the correct PPE

As we start to see a downward trend in COVID-19 cases within our hospitals and communities, it is important to keep focused on the bigger picture.

Numbers are indeed starting to decrease, but it is also true that our numbers are decreasing slower than in other areas. We have come so far in our battle against COVID-19, so we must not become complacent as we reach this crucial point. The roadmap set out by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson will only go ahead if we meet all of the milestones, and to do that we must keep the rate of infection down.

As an organisation, we have not changed our PPE guidance. Therefore, everyone must continue to wear the correct PPE and play their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

For all inpatient areas where there is direct patient contact (in red and amber wards), staff should wear:

• A silicone mask/FFP3 mask and a visor, these can be sessional use. Single use gloves and aprons (please ensure you have been fit tested for an FFP3 mask before use)
• You should wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask if you do not have direct patient contact.  Non-direct patient contact includes walking on a ward area, pharmacists, clerical staff, estates and facilities staff. Disposable gloves/aprons should be worn for contact with patients/immediate environment. Porters who are transferring patients should wear FFP3/silicone face mask when transferring patients to red and amber wards.
• If you are visiting the ward from another area, a minimum requirement when entering the unit will be to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask.

Please note: staff must follow their individual risk assessment for PPE, occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

For all outpatients and community staff inclusive of health visitors/school nurses/GP practices, for staff visiting care home facilities, patients and families homes, surgical face masks and visors should be worn as a minimum with a disposable apron and gloves for direct patient care.

If clinical intervention is required, a clinical risk assessment should be undertaken prior to the contact to establish whether there is a requirement for a higher level of PPE.

For example if a patient with a known respiratory condition has a persistent cough (not COVID related), an FFP3 and a visor should be worn in the event that the contact is essential and cannot be delayed.

Porters and facilities staff on wards can continue to wear a surgical face mask. However, if they are in direct patient contact they will then need to follow the guidelines outlined above for inpatient staff.

If you have any questions please speak to your line manager or infection control who will advise you.

5. Reminder: Community vaccination slots available – secure your appointment today

If you are yet to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, you can still book in to get your jab at either Walsall Hospital, at the Black Country Living Museum or now at the newly opened at Tipton Sports Academy vaccination centre. Alternatively, colleagues can also book their jab through the Your Health Partnership Primary Care network.

To book your jab online use one of the following links:

• Black Country Living Museum
• Walsall Hospital
• Your Health Partnership
• NHS COVID-19 Vaccination booking

We advise all colleagues to take the time to read the COVID-19 guide for healthcare workers.

Please ensure you take your Staff ID with you when you attend your appointment as it’s important you’re able to confirm you are eligible for the vaccination. If you do not have your ID, you will not be able to have your vaccination.

Do you feel you’re ready to upskill yourself? Consider an apprenticeship

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

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

For full details of these Apprenticeship Standards and an expression of interest form please click here.

Once you have discussed this with your line manager please return your expressions of interest form to swbh.apprenticeship@nhs.net.

If you are interested in 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.

Heartbeat: Team provides a listening ear to bereaved families

It’s been a difficult and challenging year for many, but for the bereavement care team, it has been like no other. They have had to offer support to devastated families who have not just lost one loved one, but in some cases experienced the death of five relatives – all due to Coronavirus.

Sue Edwards, recently appointed bereavement nurse, has led the team throughout, along with Angie Jones, bereavement care team co-ordinator and Jo Bradley, who left the service a short while ago. The service was introduced in April directly in response to COVID-19 and was initially supported by two redeployed nurses Bev Jackson and Jean Graham from outpatients.

But the service has also been helped tremendously by four volunteers who have befriended relatives mourning their loved ones and experiencing loneliness and isolation, by offering them guidance and a listening ear when they have needed it most.

“I can’t praise the volunteers enough,” explained Sue. “They have given these relatives much-needed support in their time of need. Before the volunteers call the next of kin, they have limited information, like the first name of the deceased, when they died and where it happened.

“Once they start speaking to them, they learn more details of the tragic circumstances around their situation. They have talked to people who have lost up to five members of the same family to this virus. We’ve also heard about a high number of husband and wife deaths – all due to Coronavirus.

“Supporting grieving loved ones is the main focus of the team. We aren’t counsellors, but when we call people, we acknowledge their loss, ask how they are and how the family is coping. The team, during their initial contact, offer a follow-up call and share details of the service.

“We can offer to refer relatives and/or their carers for ongoing bereavement counselling support from Sandwell CRUSE and will identify if support for children is required from Edward’s Trust. We are also able to signpost families to local and national organisations for advice, for example, around finances and funeral arrangements.

“Sometimes, however, the next of kin isn’t always a relative. They can be the window cleaner or hairdresser. It is just as vital to offer them the same level of support as they had a relationship with this person.

“Just as they are supported, so are our volunteers. We are there alongside them, and once they have finished the call, they brief us on what has happened. Some of the stories they hear are upsetting, so we have to make sure that we can offer them guidance and support. Sometimes they may need this during the call, so that is why their role is performed whilst on site.”

The team also receives feedback about the care their loved one has received during their stay at our Trust. Sue added: “We ensure that we share these comments with those involved in their care to thank them.”

The team also offer other poignant ways to remember those who have died at our Trust. Sue added: “We have purchased special hand printing sets which are for end of life care patients. Some wards are already using these – it gives families a lasting memory of their loved one in the way of a handprint. We have these kits, and if colleagues on wards wish to have these, they can contact us.”

Future projects for the team include creating a memorial tree of light at Sandwell that will mark those who have lost their lives in 2020. “We are hoping to introduce this early next year – it will be a fitting tribute to those who died during such a difficult year.”

Q-Park – update on one-shot tickets

As you may be aware, the one-shot parking tickets will no longer be on sale for patients and visitors. The existing one-shot tickets will be honoured. If a driver reaches a Q-Park barrier that will not accept the ticket then the intercom can be pressed to allow the driver to exit, however, we do not anticipate that this will happen for four – six weeks at the earliest.

A new solution will be put in place to handle processes currently reliant on one-shot tickets. The new ticket type is a follow-on ticket (FOT). To use a FOT,  you should insert your parking ticket into the pay station, press the follow-on button and insert your follow-on ticket. The pay station will apply the relevant discount and give you a ticket to exit after taking payment, if required.

The supply of follow-on tickets will take place when the Q-Park parking equipment has been installed. Q-Park kindly ask that you ensure you have sufficient one-shot tickets to cover until the end of April at City and the end of May at Sandwell.

The current car park admin office is in the process of providing detailed communications for those departments who currently supply these types of tickets to their patients. This includes the arrangements for clinic delays and other frequent users.

Q-Park thank you for your patience and understanding during this transition.

For more information please contact the team on ext. 6424 or email carparkidadminoffice@nhs.net.