Monthly archives: April 2021

International Workers Memorial Day: 28 April – join us for a minute’s silence

Wednesday 28 April is International Workers Memorial Day. Staff Side will be remembering colleagues we have lost over the last 12 months with a one minute silence in the courtyard gardens outside occupational health at Sandwell at 12pm.

We are encouraging all colleagues to join us for the one minute silence. If colleagues are unable to attend the one minute silence at the courtyard gardens at 12pm on Wednesday 28 April, they can instead observe a minute’s silence in their ward, area or department.

Stephen Lawrence Day – a legacy of change

As we prepare to mark Stephen Lawrence Day tomorrow, we’d like to share the following video and remind all colleagues that we all have a stake in making the world we live in more inclusive.

Tomorrow we’ll be sharing short video clips of our #SWBfamily as they express thoughts and aspirations for effecting positive change. If you’d like to add your voice please send us a selfie clip (filmed in landscape) to swbh.comms@nhs.net.

We are interested in your thoughts on how can we effect change in attitudes around equality and diversity? We want to know what kind of world we in the NHS want to live and work in, respecting the diversity of others. Change has to start somewhere and even the smallest action can create a wave.

Although we are focussing on our thoughts tomorrow, our appetite for change should not fade with the close of Stephen Lawrence Day, but rather we should consider it a journey as colleagues join together to create momentum.

Heartbeat: Bringing Midland Met to life

Building a world-class healthcare facility is no easy feat. Hospitals need to meet the healthcare needs of the communities they serve, but more than that they need to stand up to all of the challenges of modern life and offer patients, colleagues and visitors the facilities they deserve as standard and so much more.

Opening a new hospital takes strategic vision, meticulous planning and expert execution. It takes architects, engineers, medical professionals along with countless trades to design, develop and open a hospital, or as in our case, move facilities from two other sites to our new flagship hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

From concept to the delivery, there is so much to consider when opening a new hospital. That’s why we caught up with Richard Molloy, Construction Specialist to find out more about how he’s helping to make our vision a reality.

Richard told us: “I have 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, predominantly working in project management based roles. Over the years, I have worked on projects ranging from schools, universities, industrial buildings, shopping centres, commercial offices and large acute hospital facilities.”

Speaking of the focus of his role, Richard explained: “I manage key relationships between the Trust, clinical teams and Balfour Beatty, whilst advising the Trust on construction matters. This current contract with Balfour Beatty is very collaborative and requires consistent dialogue to ensure we all meet the programme deadlines in place for us all.”

Richard continued: “Ensuring we offer the highest standard of patient care is our top priority. One of the main aspects that will influence patient care is ensuring that Balfour Beatty delivers the highest quality product. Being able to offer an enhanced patient environment and support services all starts with the build.

“A well-designed space will offer clinical colleagues the opportunity to provide enhanced patient care. It doesn’t stop there either – we will be working with stakeholders across the organisation to ensure we offer the most effective technology solutions and equipment. It’s an exciting project to be a part of as it will directly impact patients, and that is something I am proud to be a part of.”

Speaking of challenges, Richard explained: “We’ve had to navigate our way through the pandemic. As a big build, this could have had a significant impact, but have worked around this by implementing strict COVID secure measures such as installing dedicated handwashing stations and giving all staff onsite snoods to stop the risk of transmission. On a personal level, I’ve managed to work between the project offices and also from home. I’m lucky that my three children are teenagers and need little input from me with homeschooling.

Reflecting on just how far the project has come, Richard said: “Large acute healthcare projects are the most complex building types to build and commission just behind nuclear projects. The complexity reflects why it can sometimes seem like it takes a long time for these projects to become operational. In the long term, it’s worth it. I, for one, am looking forward to the day we can open the doors of Midland Met to staff and patients.”

Outside of work, Richard enjoys sports and often pushes himself to seek out new challenges. “I like anything to do with sports. I’m a coach for a local under 16s rugby team. I also love swimming, running and cycling in my spare time and have entered an ironman triathlon for later this year in Spain along with a 7km swim along the River Wye. I’m also a thrill seeker and enjoy anything that gets the adrenaline pumping. I completed a charity skydive last year and I’m always looking for my next challenge. All ideas welcome.”

Surge testing in Birmingham zone: Requirement for colleague LAMP testing

Birmingham City Council announced last week a surge testing programme for residents and those working within the Ladywood, Jewellery Quarter and Soho wards which includes City Hospital. This is a result of identifying a strain of the coronavirus first identified in South Africa.

There is currently no evidence to suggest this variant is more serious than others, or that the current vaccines would not protect against it.

The surge testing doesn’t change anything for us in terms of provision of services, or movement in and out of the area identified.

The council is working closely with Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace to support measures to curb any potential spread of this variant; this will include significantly increasing the testing offer in a targeted and intelligence-led way.

Residents over the age of 16 who are living or working in Ladywood, Jewellery Quarter and Soho wards are strongly encouraged to take part in the door to door testing when offered, even if they are not showing symptoms.

What this means for you

If you are a staff member who:

• Works in any environment at City Hospital
• Has visited City Hospital in the last two weeks

You should arrange collection of the LAMP test kit (if you haven’t already got one) and start to submit your samples as soon as possible. You can book a kit collection slot by calling 0121 507 2664 and selecting option 6, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm. Saturdays and Sundays call 07816 992873 or 07970 428995 8am – 4pm.

Some colleagues may be running out of test kits, so please ensure you contact the call centre so that you can collect additional kits. We would also ask all staff working at other sites to undertake regular testing as well via the same route.

In addition to LAMP testing, those staff who live in the affected areas of Ladywood, Jewellery Quarter and Soho wards, including those who are home working or shielding, are urged to get tested following the guidance provided by the council. See the dedicated website for more information. If you are provided with a COVID test from the door to door team you should take this test and return it regardless of whether you are providing LAMP test samples through the Trust.  

Detecting positive cases sooner reduces the risk of the virus being passed on to patients, colleagues, and family members and beyond in the community. Positive tests will need to be sequenced further to help identify further spread. For this reason until the end of next week only, if you have a positive LAMP test you will be required to have a PCR swab test.

Dr David Carruthers, Medical Director shares an update explaining the importance of testing and why we should ALL be testing on a weekly basis.

Regular testing will keep you safe

LAMP testing is a speedy and reliable COVID-19 test which requires you to collect a saliva sample once a week in the morning before you brush your teeth or have your breakfast.  When you arrive at work, you can deposit your sample into a collection box – and you’ll receive your result via text message.

We must remind everyone that LAMP testing is open to both clinical and non-clinical colleagues. It is vital that we continue to test despite colleagues having had the COVID vaccination and infection rates starting to drop.

Please drop off your sample into phlebotomy department Monday – Friday from 7:30am – 3:30pm in the following locations:

• OPD first floor Corridor D Sandwell Site
• Ground floor BTC
• Ground floor Rowley Regis Hospital
• First floor Neptune Health Park
• Second floor Lyng Health and Social Care Centre
• Victoria Health Centre
• Oldbury Health Centre

Alternatively you can drop off your samples in the LAMP collection bins at Sandwell outside the Bryan Knight Suite, outside pathology or A&E.

At City, the LAMP collection bins can be found outside pharmacy main spine, outside pathology and A&E.

Further information on LAMP testing can be found in the attached FAQs.

Watch our animation on how to take part in LAMP testing or read more here.

City Hospital critical care now returned home

Following the completion of essential works, the critical care department at City Hospital has now returned back to their unit on the ground floor main spine.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused

Do you know where to find the fit testing hub at Sandwell?

The fit testing hub at Sandwell has recently found a new home in the strategic control room, in the management offices at Trust headquarters.

Colleagues who have an appointment to be fitted with a face mask, will need to go to the new location, accessed via the courtyard gardens (see photo below).

Entry is via the door with fob access only, so for those of you who are unable to enter, please call ext. 2262 using the internal phone in the yellow box. The fit testing team will then be able to let you in.

Booking fit testing: Please call 0121 507 5050 to get booked in at a site, date and time that suits you. Clinics are available everyday between 8am and 4pm. Phone lines are open until 8pm.

Better value, quality care: Introducing our vacancy scrutiny panel for non-medical jobs

As part of our Better value, quality care programme, from 26 April we are introducing a daily virtual vacancy scrutiny panel to ensure posts are rapidly approved on TRAC and to streamline our workforce by assuring ourselves that all reasonable options have been reviewed prior to the request being authorised. This may include the post being converted to an apprenticeship, the duties within the role being absorbed by the existing team, reduction in hours, or a change in banding.

All posts will continue to be submitted on TRAC as usual. These will then be reviewed by the director of productivity and efficiency, interim deputy chief people officer and a senior clinical lead (for clinical roles).

Where there may be an opportunity for streamlining, the recruiting manager will be contacted to discuss alternative options. Groups and corporate directorates will still be expected to scrutinise posts as part of their own governance process.

It is recognised for patient safety, hard-to-fill posts, posts that replace agency expenditure and other posts, automatic approval will be granted. The table below sets out those posts that will be subject to review by the virtual panel and those that will be excluded.

This approach will help contribute towards having a modern workforce ready to meet our clinical and operational needs as we move towards MMUH in 2022 and we expect it to be in place for the next year.

For further details regarding the better value, quality care programme, please click here.

For more information please email phil.tydeman1@nhs.net or call 07904023943.

Heartbeat: Emma Whitehouse – from the skies to Sandwell

From looking after passengers at 37,000 feet, Emma Whitehouse joined the Trust last year due to the national lockdown.

Emma from West Bromwich worked as an air hostess for leading German airline, Touristik Union International (known in the UK as TUI – trusted unique and inspired) when the pandemic struck. The majority of flights across the globe hit a standstill. Though the planes were on the tarmac, Emma felt like she wanted to do something more and give back.

“I have many friends and family members who work for the NHS, so I knew how much pressure they were under and wanted to do whatever I could to help,” said Emma.

“At the start of lockdown, I was struggling mentally being stuck at home. I am used to travelling like I have been doing for the past seven years as an air hostess and across the country as a cabin crew trainer. I was at Gatwick at the time we went into lockdown so to go from that to nothing was a real shock to the system.”

Emma initially started with Trust during the first lockdown from April 2020 – June2020 working for the ward services department cleaning around the wards and serving meals. When the restrictions eased last summer, she went back to work for a brief period, but when the second lockdown hit again in autumn, she joined our laundry service helping maintain scrubs and keep wards stocked.

Though she hopes to go back to her air hostess role at some point in 2021, Emma enjoys working at the Trust. She told us: “Working at Sandwell was the perfect solution for me as I could support my local hospital whilst keeping busy and doing something useful. It made perfect sense in my mind as I live just over the road from the hospital.”

Emma added: “I have found that many staff share a similar mentality to that of cabin crew. They’re flexible, adaptable and hard-working so it was easy enough for me to fit in. It does feel a bit strange having a routine as I’m normally used to a changing roster and not knowing if I’m coming or going.”

We all hope Emma can return to her air hostess role at some point this year, but if you are in and around the laundry room, do fly by to say hello!

Michael Moore funeral taking place this Wednesday (21 April)

Following the sad death of our colleague Michael Moore, we have now been advised that the funeral is taking place this Wednesday (21 April) at 1.15pm.

As the funeral is to be held in London with attendance limited to family (due to COVID-19 restrictions), Michael’s daughter Keisha has been kind enough to share a link to the funeral for those who would like to ‘virtually’ attend.

Black Lives Matter in the Black Country and West Birmingham: Race and Space podcast

Be sure to check out the weekly Race and Space podcasts hosted every Friday.

The next podcast will be around the topic of  white allies and will be from 11am – 12pm, Friday 23 April.

Please see joining instructions below.

• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83013188454?pwd=YXU2NlpEYWF0blhCdHBpczdDUnhmdz09
• Meeting ID: 830 1318 8454
• Passcode: 281441

For more information please email equalityanddiversity@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk