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Monthly archives: May 2021

Do you know how to operate the new NIPE system?

 

We have recently introduced a new electronic system for documenting newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) known to most as SMaRT4NIPE (S4N). The new system is easier to use than its predecessor and has a cleaner appearance and better functionality.

From Tuesday 1 June all NIPEs will be documented on S4N.

If you missed the Public Health England refresher training session on Tuesday 4 May please email nipe-and-nbs@nhs.net for an up to date list of super users.  Any new starters who feel they are unfamiliar with the updated system should send their name, NHS email address and either GMC or NMC pin to swbh.nipe-and-nbs@nhs.net so we can ensure they know how to use the updated system correctly.

A test version of the updated system is also available for colleagues to familiarise themselves with the updated system. The test version of the system can be accessed by clicking here. The login details to the test area are listed below:

Usernames: 

  • RXK_training1
  • RXK_training2
  • RXK_training3
  • RXK_training4
  • RXK_training5
  • RXK_training6
  • RXK_training7
  • RXK_training8
  • RXK_training9
  • RXK_training10

Password: Password1

Once logged into the test system, click on the “Locations button and select  RXK_Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital. Then click on the “Resources” button. This will grant you access to a suite of user guides and videos covering all aspects of the S4N programme.

For further information please call ext. 5775.

Star Awards 2021: Learner of the Year

 

Do you know an individual who can demonstrate the impact training has had on themselves, their team and their service?

This award is open to all colleagues and could include, for example, completing an apprenticeship, a computer course or a post grad/leadership programme or university module.

Nominate them for Learner of the Year in this year’s upcoming Star Awards!

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Ways to nominate:

  • You can complete a paper nomination form which you can download by clicking here.
  • You can send in a video nomination for free to swbh.comms@nhs.net via www.wetransfer.com. Choose go to free. When doing the recording remember to state clearly who you are and the name of the person/team you are nominating.
  • You can complete the online form by clicking here.

Be sure to check out last year’s award ceremony featuring Learner of the Year 2020, Max Newbould (timecode: 30 minutes, 10 seconds).

If you have any questions regarding the Star Awards, please contact the communications team on 0121 507 5303 or email swbh.comms@nhs.net.

For more information, please visit our dedicated Star Awards page on Connect.

2021 Cycle to work scheme for colleagues

 

The Trust runs a cycle to work scheme which gives huge savings on brand new bicycles and easy deductions through payroll (salary sacrifice). The scheme is part of the government’s Green Travel Plan, to encourage employees to ride a bicycle to work and help reduce congestion and environmental pollution. The scheme works by the use of a brand new bicycle in return for a reduction in your salary over a twelve month period.

A range of bicycles are available through the Halfords cycle to work – you can pick your bike from any Halfords store in the UK or any one of the 1,000 independent bike shops that Halfords work with.

Please click here to download the flyer with further details.

Please be mindful that you have up until 31 May to make an application.

For further information please contact amir.ali1@nhs.net or call ext. 6148.

Free bike checks at Sandwell Hospital – Monday 10 May: Colleagues can take advantage of a free cycle check in the courtyards gardens at Sandwell Hospital between 12pm – 2pm. If you want your bike looked over, please email Francesca.silcocks@nhs.net who will be provide you with a 20 minute timeslot

Lockable bike pods now available: At both City and Sandwell, we have installed blue, lockable bike pods that colleagues are welcome to use to store their bikes. Colleagues should bring their own padlocks should they want to use the bike pods. These bike pods are available on a first come, first served basis.

We must remind colleagues not to leave their padlocks on the pods when they are not in use. Please remove your lock at the end of your working day so that others have a chance to use them. This will be monitored and locks will be removed if necessary.

Join our Midland Met Q&A sessions

 

With all eyes fixed firmly on the opening of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), we invite you to our first Q&A sessions where we’ll be talking about all things Midland Met.

MMUH is set to be one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the region and will provide state-of-the-art integrated care for patients. This is your chance to put your questions to the MMUH project team about our new acute care facility.

You will hear updates from our Director of System Transformation, Rachel Barlow and, you can put your questions to Ruth Wilkin, Director of Communications and Jayne Dunn, Director of Commissioning & Equipping.

Our Q&A sessions are for you to ask your questions and learn all about our move to MMUH. To submit your question ready to be answered on the day, please email it to swbh.comms@nhs.net.

All questions from the session will be added to our MMUH intranet pages on Connect. You can also read through existing FAQs here.

Our Q&A sessions will take place on the following days and times:

 

Desktop and laptop increased cyber security monitoring to take place from 11am today

 

Please be aware from today (Wednesday 5 May) we are increasing the level of cyber security monitoring on computers and laptops by installing additional software to detect attacks including Ransomware, the monitoring will not impact on your ability to use the device.

If an attack is detected such as a ransomware attack, the software will look to immediately isolate the device to prevent further infection on the network, the device will be shut down and the user account will be disabled as a preventative measure.

If the software intercepts and acts upon what it sees as hostile behaviour it will notify the Service Desk before it shuts down the device, if this should occur please contact the IT service desk on  ext. 4050 who will then investigate and advise you accordingly.

The system has been monitoring and learning what constitutes normal behaviour on our network for the past two months therefore the likelihood of an account being disabled incorrectly is viewed as low.

As always, should you have any further queries then please contact the 24 hour IT Service Desk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 for home workers.

Dr Nick’s ninth #Dance4Wellbeing – check out this short teaser!

 

It’s a new month and that means a brand new #Dance4Wellbeing video is just around the corner! Dr Nick Makwana has got his dancing shoes on again and is joined by an array of colleagues from across the Trust. Be sure to look out for the full routine coming soon on Connect.

In case you have missed any of the previous routines you can check them out by clicking here.

Updated harm review system in Unity – have you tried it out yet?

 

The harm review system on CSS has been updated. A test version is available for colleagues to familiarise themselves with the updated system. The test version of the system can be accessed by clicking here.

If you have any feedback or for more information please email chantelle.mccalla@nhs.net or call ext. 4050

Heartbeat: Read all about it! Gynaecological cancer paper published

 

Recently our gynaecology oncology team had reason to celebrate as a manuscript they developed was accepted for publication in Gynecologic Oncology – a respected journal from the USA. The paper covered the mitigation plan the team has worked on to allow them to continue delivering safe gynaecology cancer surgery to patients.

Jason Yap, Consultant Gynaecological Oncology, told Heartbeat: “This is the only publication of its kind within our specialty so this is something we are proud of as a team. The paper demonstrates that it is possible to maintain and provide a safe tertiary gynaecological surgical treatment during the pandemic.

“A carefully designed care pathway is required to deliver safe cancer surgery. Our mitigation plan began in April 2020, and we took steps to ensure patients’ safety and minimise COVID-19 transmission whilst an inpatient. Colleagues had symptom triggered screening tests, and patients had COVID-19 tests to ensure they were safe to undergo surgery, as well as a telephone or face to face consultation 72 hours before surgery. We also made modifications to our surgical practice, in particular, the approach to our laparoscopic surgery.

“Also, with meticulous planning, we have managed to maintain surgical services since the start of COVID-19. Patients have been operated on at independent sites away from our hospitals to help minimise the risk of infection. We have carefully monitored the situation via weekly capacity reviews and discussions with the intensive care team.

“The number of cases we have operated on during the pandemic was equal to our prepandemic level when we compared it to the same period in 2019. Our mitigation efforts that were worked on collectively by our management and clinical teams have ensured that we’ve had minimal disruption to surgeries meaning cancer patients have still been able to access the services they need.”

We asked Janos Balega, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist and Clinical Lead for the Pan-Birmingham Gynaecological Cancer Centre, how the team managed to continue offering these vital services. He explained: “To maintain the service required support from SWB, The BMI Priory Hospital who hosted our service, buy-in from management teams at SWBH and The Priory Hospital, the anaesthetic team and the gynaecological oncology surgical team – it was a team effort and everyone pulled together to make it possible.”

Janos added: “Teamwork has been essential over the last year. Having the support of our directorate has helped us to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. We hope that people will use this model of service in other specialties and cancer services so that we can continue to put patient care first.”

Star Awards 2021 – get your nominations in!

 

Our awards recognise the hard work of our colleagues and volunteers, both on the frontlines and our supporting services.

The ceremony will take place in October and, as always, will be the highlight of the staff calendar.

There are 20 awards up for grabs, with four categories voted for by colleagues that are:

  • Employee of the Year
  • Clinical Team of the Year (Adults)
  • Clinical Team of the Year (Children)
  • Non-clinical Team of the Year.

Colleagues also have the opportunity to be nominated by patients, visitors, carers and primary care colleagues as part of the Quality of Care Award and Local Primary Care Award for the Most Valued Service in the Trust.

You can get your nominations in by clicking here.

Don’t have regular access to a computer? Why not complete a paper nomination. You can make a paper nomination by printing and completing the nomination form below and sending it back to the address as stated on the form.

Star Awards 2021 nomination form

If you have any questions regarding the Star Awards, please contact the communications team on 0121 507 5303 or email swbh.comms@nhs.net

IT upgrade to NHS Smartcards: 7 May, 6.30pm – 10 May, 8pm

 

NHS Digital are upgrading the supporting infrastructure for the National Smartcard system to help improve its stability from Friday 7 May, 6.30pm – Monday 10 May, 8pm.

During the upgrade works we will not be able to reset passwords on NHS Smartcards or issue new ones but they will still be usable.

Should you have any queries on this please contact the IT helpdesk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 for home workers.

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