Monthly archives: June 2021
Basic Life Support (BLS) sessions still available
Training sessions for BLS are now available throughout June.
To access and book your place on the above sessions, please log on to ESR self-service booking system. You must attend on the time stated otherwise will be turned away by the trainer. For further details please click here.
Note: Colleagues must complete their BLS eLearning modules before attending their practical training. Details on how to enrol on to eLearning training can be found on Connect.
For more information please contact swbh.resuscitationtraining@nhs.net.
Would you like to join the Cultural Ambassador Programme? Express your interest by Friday
What is the programme? The Cultural Ambassador programme was developed by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to support employee relations processes within NHS organisations, with a view to enhance fairness and remove the potential of cultural bias occurring. The need for the programme arose out of the national Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) data which highlighted Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff as over-represented in employee relations cases and experienced poor outcomes, compared to their white counterparts.
What is the role of a Cultural Ambassador? A Cultural Ambassador will provide assurance that the disciplinary process applied is fair and equitable. The Cultural Ambassador will have a role to identify any organisational cultural issues or bias related to ethnicity, disability or any other protected characteristic which may affect the case. The Cultural Ambassador’s role is to be curious about these issues, make them transparent and create dialogue to establish the potential impact on the outcome.
How to get involved: The Cultural Ambassador programme is open to all colleagues, irrespective of role, gender or race. To express an interest in joining the programme, please email d.mighty@nhs.net no later than 4pm, Friday 4 June.
Note: The training for Cultural Ambassador will be delivered online, 9.30am – 1pm over four days in June. Attendance at all four dates listed below is required.
- Tuesday 8 June
- Thursday 10 June
- Monday 14 June
- Tuesday15 June
Free lunch for cyclists to celebrate World Bicycle day
For the month of June, we are offering our cyclists a free healthy lunch voucher for use in the Trust canteens when you ditch the car. Take 5 trips to work (1 trip = a return journey to and from work) or take 5 cycles for leisure to get your free healthy meal (value up to £3).
To enter, click https://www.lovetoride.net/westmidlands and register to ‘Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust’. Start logging the trips from 1 – 30 June.
Vouchers will be subject to availability. For more information please email Francesca.silcocks@nhs.net.
Knowing your colleagues on a first name basis
Whether you are a patient using our services or a member of staff working with fellow colleagues, you may have noticed something slightly different recently – yellow name badges.
A common observation within hospitals is that patient interaction at times is too formal and lacks any real personality. With this in mind, the Trust has begun to roll out yellow name badges.
“This name badge initiative is simple but effective,” said Kevin Jennison, Resuscitation Officer.
“The badges have many advantages over the white ones. They are easy to read for our visually impaired patients and are also dementia friendly, plus they are less formal and helps make us more approachable; something which is vital for all staff who work at our Trust.”
Kevin initially approached deputy chief nurses Diane Eltringham and Sarah Carr-Cave with the idea at the start of the year to display the first name in black on a yellow badge along with the words ‘hello my name is…’
Kevin further explained that the ‘hello my name is…’ concept comes from Dr Kate Granger, MBE, co-founder of the #HelloMyNameIs campaign. Dr Kate Granger believed that ‘#HelloMyNameis the first rung on the ladder to providing truly person-centred and compassionate care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit us all hard and SWB is no different. With all patient facing colleagues required to wear PPE has meant many patient interactions have lost a personal touch which is why there hasn’t been a better time to implement the yellow badge scheme.
Kevin added: “From a personal point of view and as a resuscitation officer attending complex and dynamic situations, there is a great challenge of effective communication and the use of names goes a long way to help achieve this.
“In a climate of wearing face masks and PPE, this has never been more relevant. The large font of the first name in black on yellow makes it easier to read at a distance, and in many circumstances it is also visible under some of the gowns that are worn at this time.”
Though the yellow badge initiative has only been in existence for a short period, it is certainly improving communication and patient care Kevin believes.
He said: “Almost immediately since wearing this badge, I received many positive comments from both staff and patients. There are a lot of subconscious positives of knowing a name as it seems more personable.”
“It’s great to be able to communicate with someone and using their name. I can only hope that the yellow badges are adopted by all colleagues across the Trust.”
Update on yellow badges: Yellow badges are currently being rolled out across the organisation. Managers who have submitted an order will be contacted as soon as their team’s badges are ready for collection. If you are yet to submit an order for your ward or area, please submit your order using the below sheet to shila.patel@nhs.net by Wednesday 30 June.
World Bicycle Day this Thursday – are you interested in an eBike?
Did you know this Thursday (3 June) is World Bicycle Day? World Bicycle Day aims to celebrate the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries. The week also recognises the bicycle’s simplicity, affordability, reliability and positive impact on health and the environment in regards to travel.
As part of the awareness week, Ebikebrum are conducting a study to research health and wellbeing improvements through the use of e-bikes for commuting and personal journeys.
If you are interested in taking part in the study or finding out more about an eBike, why not speak to one of our eBike specialists on World Bike Day on Thursday 3 June:
- Outside Hallam Restaurant, Sandwell Hospital – 9.30am – 12.30pm
- Outside Birmingham Treatment Centre, City Hospital – 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
Free lunch for cyclists:
For the month of June, we are offering our cyclists a free healthy lunch voucher for use in the Trust canteens when you ditch the car. Take 5 trips to work (1 trip = a return journey to and from work) or take 5 cycles for leisure to get your free healthy meal (value up to £3).
To enter, click https://www.lovetoride.net/westmidlands and register to ‘Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. Start logging the trips from 1st-30th June.
Vouchers will be subject to availability. For more information please email Francesca.silcocks@nhs.net.
Volunteers’ Week: Celebrations continue on Thursday
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Right here at the Trust, we have a number of volunteers who support us to deliver first class healthcare to our patients.
Volunteer appreciation events: Throughout the week we have been hosting a variety of events to say thank you to our volunteers both via on Zoom and on site.
As a thank you to all our volunteers, we will be hosting more appreciation events on Thursday.
- 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm, Sandwell
- 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm, City
For more information regarding our appreciation events please email lizagill@nhs.net.
Volunteer of the Year: Do you know an individual who has made a significant impact to our Trust whilst volunteering or a person who has shown selflessness and determination to support the people around them? Nominate them for the Volunteer of the Year Award in this year’s upcoming Star Awards by clicking here.
Do you want to become a volunteer? You can contact our volunteer service on 0121 507 4855 or email swbh.volunteer@nhs.net.
Wellbeing Wednesday: Kindness – be kind to yourself
Kindness comes from many sources, we can be kind to others but are we kind to ourselves?
Often when someone asks how we are we say “okay” but are we really? Quite often the person we should rely on the most is ourselves. However, are we always kind to ourselves? Have you ever relived a day or situation and been your own worst critic?
Negative self-talk is something some of us do, we often say things to ourselves that we would not like if we heard someone say negative things to someone else. So take a step back; rethink your negative self-talk and be kind to yourself. Being kind to yourself helps keep both mind and body strong and healthy.
Reaching out is a strength not a weakness. Here are some resources to help you:
- The wellbeing newsletter: Where can you get support? There is plenty here, just click here.
- The wellbeing sanctuary: Call to book 0121 507 5886 or click here for more information.
- THRIVE: Looking after your wellbeing our THRIVE app has many great features. You can access CBT, mindfulness, meditation and sleep support.
- Negative self-talk : Just words that can be replaced with kinder words. Be kind to yourself. Be sure to check out this guided meditation in Himalayan Forest and take a moment to relax.
Are you concerned about something? There is support for you daily. Here are some useful numbers:
- Counsellors: The NHS direct counselling service: 0800 06 96 22 (7am – 11pm, 7 days a week)
- Bereavement support: 0300 303 4434 (8am – 8pm)
- Trouble sleeping: Click here for help and guidance
- Just need a confidence conversation? Book a one to one at the wellbeing sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886.
REACT practitioners: Talk to colleagues who 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.
Q-Park parking enforcement and PCNs
Q-Park have recently received complaints from Trust colleagues in recent weeks around the issuing of PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices).
After two months of polite warnings Q-Park have started to issue tickets in line with the parameters laid out in the parking policy. This policy is reviewed regularly and is there to ensure that parking is available to all colleagues, patients and visitors. There are new signs in place which should be reviewed by all colleagues when driving and parking on site. For clarity, Q-Park do not process PCNs or PCN appeals on site at the Q-Park offices. Q-Park staff are also unable to assist with PCN queries. All the information required to either pay a PCN or to appeal will be on the ticket issued and on the signage around the car parks.
Below are the examples of infringements that the Q-Park team will issue a PCN for, in line with the parking policy:
- Parked in a disabled bay without displaying a valid badge
- Parked across two or more parking bays
- Parked outside of a designated parking bay
- Parked outside of parking permit times
- Parked in a staff only car park without a staff permit
- Unauthorised staff parking in a visitor only car park
- Parked in a service critical bay
- Parked on double red/yellow lines or red/yellow hatch.
New parking system: In case you missed it, please click here for details regarding the new parking system which was introduced on Monday 24 May.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Q-Park team at Sandwell@q-park.co.uk.
Healthcare support workers virtual event: 17 June
A free virtual event for all healthcare support workers is being hosted via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 17 June, 1pm – 3pm.
The event, which is being led by regional chief nurse will cover a variety of topics including seeing how your role fits within the Midlands area and whole NHS.
For joining details please see poster or email england.midlandsnursingworkforce@nhs.net for further information.
Midland Met Q&A sessions – we want to hear from you…
Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) stands proudly between Sandwell and West Birmingham and, it will be our flagship hospital.
Our brand-new, state-of-the-art acute hospital will serve over half a million people living in our local communities. It will bring together all acute and emergency care services currently provided across two hospital sites and several clinical teams into one place, providing a hub for emergency care, with the build also boosting regeneration in the local area.
Over the coming months, we will be keeping you up to date with all things Midland Met. One of the ways we’ll do this is by facilitating regular Q&A sessions giving you the chance to have your say. Please use this opportunity to exchange views with senior leaders and have your burning questions answered.
In May, we hosted two Q&A sessions where Rachel Barlow, Director of System Transformation, Ruth Wilkin, Director of Communications and Jayne Dunn, Director of Commissioning & Equipping, talked openly about our move to MMUH.
Watch this clip to find out how the team described the model of care at MMUH.
If you would like to submit a question for an upcoming Q&A session, please email swbh.mmuh@nhs.net.
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