Emergency Department Downtime – iPM Messaging Failure

There is currently an issue preventing iPM (Lorenzo) from sending out normal messages that provide Unity and other systems with patient information. The team are currently working through a solution with the supplier and aim to restore BAU service within the next 2 hours. In the meantime when using iPM please follow the instructions below.

Situation 1 – Patient known to SWBH (already on iPM)

1. Update patient details on iPM as usual (note updates will not go to Unity for now)
2. Register patient on FirstNet using existing RXK number
3. Clinical care for patient continues as usual
4. Admission & discharge as usual

Situation 2 – Patient not known to SWBH (no existing RXK number)

1. Register the patient on iPM as usual
2. Print a sheet of labels from iPM
3. Apply one label to a blank wristband
4. Register the patient on FirstNet using an XXX DUMMY XXX fall-back number
5. Add a document titled “Dummy RXK Number” and note the name and RXK Number registered for the patient at step 1
6. Add a comment on LaunchPoint “Dummy RXK Number” followed by patient’s name and actual RXK Number
7. PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS – Observations and medications recorded on paper
8. ADULT PATIENTS – Medications recorded on paper
9. Other clinical documentation can be recorded on Unity
10. Admission & discharge as usual

Recovery 

Once iPM messaging is restored; the XXX Dummy XXX number (minor) should be merged with the actual RXK number created (major). This will update Unity

Patients Discharged from ED

Any paper documents should be scanned into Clinical Support System as “ED Scanned Document”

Patients Admitted to Inpatient Wards

Follow Unity Quick Reference Guide BC04 – Recording Retrospective Documentation after a Unity Downtime (Inpatients/Community)

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 16 April

Today, additional COVID-19 testing arrangements are now in place in an area of Birmingham that includes City Hospital, to identify whether there cases of the variant strain first identified in South Africa variant. It doesn’t change anything for us in terms of provision of services, or movement in and out of the area identified but there is a vitally important message that I need you all to understand and act on. Everyone working at our Trust, on our sites, is eligible to take part in LAMP testing. This is a requirement on every NHS Trust but it is especially important that next week, everyone working at City Hospital gets tested via LAMP. Positive cases will then be followed up with a PCR swab. Please ensure that you take part so that our public health colleagues in Birmingham can identify any spread of this variant and ensure that cases are appropriately isolated to protect against wider transmission.

This week, I led an executive team discussion about what our organisational priorities and strategic objectives should be for the next five years. We have started this process now, because the 2020 Vision and associated plans are, quite literally, very “last year”. In a post-COVID or living with COVID world, in an NHS which is expected to integrate and collaborate with other organisations not compete with them or stand-alone from them, this is very pertinent.

In our discussion, we were united in our view that our organisational objectives should be meaningful and easy to understand.  We were also of the view that, given our Trust’s proud track record of having gone beyond the traditional boundaries of a healthcare organisation into the realms of wider community partnership, social responsibility, employment and regeneration, we must retain that ambition. We must retain the view that as one of the biggest employers around, and as an organisation which can have such a significant influence on people’s lives, positively and negatively, we have a responsibility to do more than just provide excellent healthcare.

The problem with strategy is that often the broad brushstroke concepts of strategy don’t always neatly transfer into action on “the front line”, where services are provided directly to people. Leadership anoraks like me get very excited when the “golden thread” can be seen running from strategic intent, right through to planning and then service delivery. Yesterday, I got the perfect opportunity to see that golden thread in action. The strategic ambition we have of being socially responsible and extending our positive influence beyond just healthcare provision, is no better exemplified than by the team at The Learning Works, in Smethwick. Lawrence Kelly and his colleague Nav Sharma, introduced me to their inspirational colleagues. Two key achievements under their belt already, are the Live & Work programme and the Healthcare Overseas Professionals (HOP) programme. They have also successfully repurposed the Learning Works building into a staff health and wellbeing sanctuary, which has already clocked up its 2000^th client, since COVID began.

Live & Work is an initiative which gives young people, under threat of homelessness and in no employment rhythm, somewhere secure to live and a wide range of employment options with us. A twin win of improving the life chances of vulnerable members of local society and also fulfilling meaningful work in our organisation. HOP is a programme which provides people living here from overseas, with clinical qualifications from their home countries, support to jump through the registration and bureaucratic hoops in the NHS and then secure employment in the NHS locally. By the end of the first year, HOP had placed over 100 people into vacancies which we were struggling to fill – inspirational stuff and another win/win for all. This team are the living embodiment of how our NHS is changing and how you can take strategic intent and make it a reality.

Congratulations to our Star of the Week, Jacqueline Deeming. Jacqueline is a senior ward service officer and was nominated by the weekend ward service officers for the support she has provided to her team throughout the pandemic, providing the latest advice and support in difficult times. The team are truly appreciative of all that she does. Thank you, Jacqueline.

Our HSJ award trophy has arrived in recognition of the work on sustainability that the Trust is doing in partnership with others including Engie who are now the providers of our estates function. It is great to get that recognition for being a leader among healthcare organisations and we will be continuing to progress our plans in this important area.

From next week I will be enjoying a weekly morning coffee, usually on a Wednesday, in one of our retail outlets and I welcome any of you coming to talk to me about anything that is concerning you or you want to highlight. These sessions will be a regular and ongoing commitment to you. Do take the opportunity to pop by. I will be at Arches, City Hospital next Wednesday between 8am and 9am and will move around locations week by week. These will be published in the daily bulletin.

Whether you are working, resting or playing, have a great weekend.

Best wishes

Richard

HRH Prince Philip’s funeral

Colleagues will be aware that the period of national mourning will conclude on Saturday 17 April following HRH Prince Philip’s funeral, which takes place at 3pm.

To mark the occasion appropriately our Trust Chaplaincy will be lighting a candle (battery) in each of the main receptions at City and Sandwell at 2.50pm tomorrow. (Saturday 17 April) If you wish to pay your respects and spend a moment of silence please do so.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 16 April

1. New: Surge testing in Birmingham zone: Requirement for colleague LAMP testing

Birmingham City Council have today announced 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 of you may be running out of test kits, so please ensure you contact the call centre so that you can collect a fresh kit. 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 for the next two weeks 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.

2. New: City Hospital swabbing pod to wind down

City Hospital’s swabbing pod will be winding down over the rest of this month. City pod is closed at weekends and will be closing entirely as of Monday 3 May.

As of Monday 3 May we will only be operating the swabbing pod from Little Lane at Sandwell Hospital, seven days a week, 8:30am – 3:30pm.

We would like to reassure colleagues that there is enough capacity for testing for the current and anticipated level of demand.

If you have been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms you can book an appointment for a test by calling the Community Contact Centre on 0121 507 2664 and choosing option 6 for your call to be pushed into the swabbing queue and prioritised, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm. On Saturdays and Sundays call 07816 992873  or 07970 428995 8am – 4pm.]

3. New: New vaccine advice for household contacts of immunosuppressed adults

Recent communication from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI advises that adult household contacts of severely immunosuppressed adults (aged 16 years and over) should be offered COVID-19 vaccination alongside priority group 6.

This will be communicated to patients primarily via the PCNs, but the matter should also be raised with your patients when seeking any assistance from the Trust – be it face-to-face or virtually. Booking for vaccinations should be via the individual’s registered GP.

This is in response to regular monitoring of data on vaccine effectiveness and impact, which indicates lower protection in vaccinated adults who are immunosuppressed. Those with severe immunosuppression are therefore more likely to suffer poor outcomes following infection and are less likely to benefit from the vaccines offered. The JCVI’s recommendation to vaccinate adult household contacts aims therefore to reduce the risk of infection in the immunosuppressed who may not be able to fully benefit from vaccination.

The JCVI definition of severely immunosuppressed individuals (per Greenbook Chapter 14A) includes but is not limited to:

• Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy and individuals treated with steroid sparing agents.
• Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day for adults.
• Anyone with a history of haematological malignancy, and those who may require long term immunosuppressive treatments.

Please note: Immunosuppressed children are not included in the definition, in that their adult household contacts are not being advised for vaccination as part of the current JCVI guidance.

If this affects your patients, please speak to your clinical leads for further information.

4. Updated: COVID vaccines – latest information on blood clot risks

Since the start of the pandemic over 4 million COVID-19 infections have been confirmed in the UK causing more than 120,000 deaths. Over 30 million people have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since the start of the programme, which Public Health England (PHE) estimate has prevented at least 6,000 deaths in the first 3 months of 2021. There have been reports of an extremely rare adverse event of concurrent thrombosis (blood clots) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) following vaccination with the first dose of AstraZeneca. The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has weighed the relative balance of benefits and risks and advise that the benefits of prompt vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh the risk of adverse events for individuals 30 years of age and over and those who have underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

MHRA and JCVI have made clear the balance of risk is still very much in favour of vaccination, and that all those who have received a first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should take their second dose of the vaccine, irrespective of age. For colleagues under 30 without underlying health conditions it is preferable for them to be offered an alternative COVID-19 vaccine, if available. See item 5 of this bulletin to find out how you can obtain an alternative vaccine if you are aged under 30.

Colleagues can read the full MHRA and JCVI announcement online here.

You can find information about the vaccine programme here on the NHS website.

The gov.uk website has also published a number of updates:

• A vaccination guide for adults.
• What to expect after vaccination.
• And information regarding COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting.

5. Updated: Don’t miss out on your second Pfizer dose

Colleagues are reminded to please ensure you remember to attend the vaccination centre on your booked date for your second vaccination dose. If you are not able to make your booked vaccination date, you can rearrange your appointment by calling the vaccination call centre on 0121 507 4112, but you are advised not to go beyond 12 weeks after your first jab. The Sandwell Hospital hub will be closing at the end of April so please act now if you need to re-arrange your appointment.

Not too late to get your first dose

Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Road, is available as a destination for you to get your first dose of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine with the hub running Monday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm. Book your slot via the national boking website.

Are you aged under 30?

For under 30s, where Astra-Zeneca is currently not advised, first dose of Pfizer will be available at the Sandwell Hospital hub, until the of end April, while stocks last! Call the booking team for appointments from Monday 19 April on 0121 507 4112.

6. Reminder: Advice to colleagues during Ramadan

The month of prayer and fasting for Muslim colleagues and patients is now underway.

This year Ramadan takes place at a critical time in the NHS vaccine rollout. Concerns had been raised about whether the act of getting the vaccine would break the fast, as well as potential side effects of feeling unwell after being vaccinated, and reservations about taking daily pain relief medication. Dr Habib Naqvi, director of the NHS Race Health Observatory has said: “There is no reason why a first or second dose vaccine cannot be administered during Ramadan. The content is halal, and receiving it will not invalidate the Ramadan fast, as per the opinion of Islamic scholars.”

Further guidance has been developed by the British Islamic Association (BIMA) debunking myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine including during Ramadan.=

7. Reminder: COVID vaccine Q&A session: View the recording from the BME Staff Network event

At the end of March the BME Staff Network hosted a Q&A event aimed at answering the questions and concerns you may have about receiving the COVID vaccine. Joined by a panel of subject experts within the organisation the event discussed the concerns, queries and questions colleagues had about the COVID-19 vaccination as well as hearing from Steven Shanu, Lead Pharmacist who shared his own experiences of being part of the clinical trials for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

If you missed the session, you can watch a recording below:

Places Leisure offering FREE one month membership to colleagues once restrictions lifted

Places Leisure are offering a one month free membership to all Trust colleagues. This offer is in addition to our standard discounts for all colleagues of up to 20 per cent off full priced memberships.

For further details please click here.

For information about all our staff benefits, please contact amir.ali1@nhs.net or call ext. 6148.

Heartbeat: Dermatology wins prestigious national award

The dermatology department has been receiving lots of praise after their award winning poster at the British Association of Dermatologists Meeting.

The team were given the accolade for Best Psychodermatology Poster Presentation Award at the British Association of Dermatologists Meeting which is one of the most highly commendable meetings made up of authors from across the globe who submit their work every year.

All the posters are original pieces of research with the best pieces put forward by a specialist abstract selection committee based on the quality of the content. These pieces are then also later published in the British Journal of Dermatologists Supplement.

“We were inspired to create the poster following inspiration from our patients,” said Dr Sara Mirhadi, Study Principal Investigator.

“Our patients have been telling us about the impact of skin disfigurement on their psychological wellbeing and how laser treatment has changed their lives. There is limited literature on the impact of laser therapy in psychological burden.

“With this in mind we decided to lead this study and presented our results at the British Association of Dermatologists Meeting to highlight the psychological burden of skin conditions and the role of laser therapy in reducing this burden all in a conscious effort to help better improve the quality of life of patients.”

In regards to participation, adult patients with various medical skin conditions, symptomatic skin lesions and cosmetic skin lesions took part in the study. These included red marks, brown marks, scars and hair removal. Common symptoms may include pain, discomfort, irritation or impact on breathing and daily activities including body movements.

Sara’s study showed that the majority of patients were suffering from moderate or high psychological distress with laser treatment leading to a more than 50 per cent reduction in at least one of the anxiety or depression scores. The aim is that the study can help increase awareness of the psychological burden of various disfiguring skin conditions.

Sara and the study investigators could not have completed this work alone and are thankful to all that helped them along. Sara was especially thankful to Dr Anthony Abdullah, the Study Chief Investigator, for his continued support in helping design and conduct of this study and all his guidance throughout the study.

She added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to our patients for taking part in our study and the research and development team, especially Anne Rutland.

“I would also like to give a special thanks to the Birmingham Skin Laser Centre team especially Ann Weaver who went above and beyond for all her help and extend my gratitude to our sponsor and Research Ethics Committee.”

Precautionary action required: Essential Virgin Media Network maintenance, 21 April, 12am – 6am

Please be aware Virgin Media will be carrying out essential maintenance to their network on Wednesday 21 April from midnight to 6am to improve the area’s network performance and resilience.

The planned work should not impact our Trust and Unity will remain fully available, however we have been advised there remains a risk that Virgin Media may suffer a short outage as a result of their maintenance work and we should plan accordingly.

• This may result in the Bleep system at City Hospital becoming temporarily unavailable for a few minutes between 12am – 6am.
• This may result in all networked services at City Hospital becoming unavailable for a few minutes between midnight to 6am. This could affect colleagues who access the network via a LAN network cable using desktop computers, laptops and other medical devices.
• During this time we would recommend colleagues regularly save their work and have BCPs ready as a precaution in case of any unexpected prolonged disruption to service.
• Please note colleagues that connect via wireless devices via Wi-Fi at City or at other site locations should not be affected by this activity as such access is routed differently. 

Note: This may affect colleagues working on the night shift from 7pm – 7:30am on Wednesday 21 April.

The activity will be closely monitored at all times and we will issue desktop alerts as work progresses.

Please do call the 24 hour IT service desk if you have any queries on this on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 for home workers.

Support our NHS people: Helping you manage your own health and wellbeing whilst looking after others

The NHS People Plan sets out a series of national health and wellbeing ambitions that aim to create cultures of wellbeing across the NHS, where colleagues feel looked after and cared for.

The national team have produced a comprehensive package of emotional, psychological and practical health and wellbeing support. See what’s on offer by clicking here.

As well as the national intentions outlined in the NHS People Plan, a range of guides, apps and resources that aim to support both your individual wellbeing and that of your team are available here.

Heartbeat: Infant feeding team ‘MBRRACE’ change

Breastfeeding – it’s a skill, some people take naturally to it and others need a little guidance to help them get the hang of it. Our dedicated infant feeding team are on hand to help each new mum find a way to breastfeed that feels natural and comfortable for them should they wish to do so.

Ensuring that we offer an inclusive service is something Louise Thompson, Infant Feeding Coordinator champions as we serve a diverse community. Speaking to Heartbeat, she explained: “Last summer we received a complaint from a mum and her doula, she did not feel she had been listened to and, this struck a chord with the team and I. Usually, we receive a lot of positive verbal feedback from mums, so this got us thinking could we have done more and are we offering effective ways for people to feedback to us?

“We work to support the choices of the women we look after and never want anyone to feel we don’t listen to what they want. This particular complaint came from someone with BAME heritage, so we began looking at what additional support we could offer and if women would share any feedback, good or bad if they didn’t have additional support to help them do so.

“The MBRRACE report shows we can all be doing more for women who are black, Asian or minority ethnic and so we set about trying to reach out and collect feedback from all the groups that we see rather than waiting for people to come to us. We used the friends and family test and shared it via Survey Monkey to collect real-time feedback monthly. We shared the survey with the mum who made the complaint to let her know we’d understood and listened to her concerns and this, in turn, had helped us to shape and monitor the care we provide.”

So what has the feedback been like we asked Louise? She explained: “From September 2020, we have received 100 per cent positive feedback from new mums and we are now looking at ways we store this more formally. The Trust is looking at some new software that will help us collate this feedback more effectively, plus we’re considering other ways we can engage with parents and improve our service.

“I’ve also been sharing the feedback across social media. We wanted to share some positivity and shine a spotlight on all that is good about breastfeeding. We have had some fantastic responses and from across all ethnic groups, age groups and abilities. It has helped all of us reflect on the care that we give and to be more mindful. Next on the agenda is looking at ways to collect feedback from mums who do not speak English.

“Overall, I’m pleased that we now have a mechanism in place that allows mums to feedback comments in a safe, anonymous and convenient way. Plus, it’s a boost for all of us in the team to reflect on the work we do and see that we do make a difference. To any expectant mums out there, I would say we’re here to provide helpful information on infant feeding. If you have any feeding worries or concerns, we’re always here to help.”

ENGIE is now live – do you know how to log a request?

Thank you to everyone that has logged a job via the online jobs portal or called the helpdesk so far.

As a reminder, the helpdesk is 24/7 so there is no need to call the switchboard out of hours. To log a job, you can:

• Call 0121 507 4444 or 0333 6660117
• Email SWBH-helpdesk.uk@engie.com
• Log a job via Connect

Please ensure that only one job is logged per intranet form. This will allow for the relevant response and rectification time to be applied to each job.  If your issue is an emergency, please call rather than logging the query via intranet.

If you have any questions or queries regarding ENGIE, there is a weekly user drop in session during April every Thursday, 12.30pm – 1pm. If you would like to join or have any questions in the meantime please email Suzanne.gray9@nhs.net.