Monthly archives: June 2021

Updated Resuscitation Council Guidelines for 2021 now released

The Resuscitation Council (UK) updated guidelines for 2021 were released in May. These are evidence-based, expert written, revised guidelines for best practice and clinical excellence in resuscitation. They cover all age groups.

The implementation and use of these revised guidelines are essential to ensuring people receive the right care. Providing guidance for health and social care and public settings, they will give people their best chance of successful outcomes from cardiac arrest or improve patient and family experience in conversations, decisions and planning for end-of-life care.

The updated 2021 guidelines have been developed as the result of a continuous process over the last five years led by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). They distil the work of many international collaborators within ILCOR, the European Resuscitation Council and Resuscitation Council UK. The process used to produce the Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2021 has been previously accredited, and is pending reaccreditation, by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Following the release of the new guidelines, the deteriorating patient and resuscitation service will begin to plan to implement the changes into practice within the next 12 months

Star of the Week – Sue Houghton

Our Star of the Week is Sue Houghton, HCA from Priory 4.

Nominating Sue for the weekly accolade, Staff Nurse Ruth Panesar said: “I returned to the Trust after some months working elsewhere. On my return Sue has done nothing but make me welcome on the ward. She has taken me under her wing offering support when I have been unsure of where things are, advising where she can within her scope of practice. Sue always puts the patients first in everything she does. She is always encouraging them to push themselves forward with their care and always gives them positive feedback. She goes above and beyond for her patients and it is very heart felt to observe her interactions and how patients respond to her. Sue is a credit to the Trust and is always hard working as well as a true team player. You’re great”

Do you know someone in your team that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Why not put them forward for Star of the Week by clicking here.

Capacity Manager Band 6 secondment opportunity

The capacity management team have an opportunity for an internal secondment to a Band 6 capacity manager role for a period of up to 6 months from 12 July.

This is a real opportunity to gain an in-depth insight into patient flow, safety with change and innovation as we move towards the opening of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

You will be working cross sites to manage the capacity on the site and maintain excellent patient flow by working closely with clinical teams, supporting services and external partners.

Interested parties must have current and measurable experience working within an acute Trust; knowledge of Patient Administration System and a minimum 3 years NHS experience. They must also meet the essential qualification criteria for the role with GCSE English or equivalent Grade C or above; a degree or equivalent experience in management and significant management experience of corporate processes, driving change in clinical pathways.

If you are experienced, have initiative and understand collaborative management and leadership please discuss this secondment/development opportunity with your current line manager and forward your expression of interest to caroline.rennalls@nhs.net by Monday 21 June stating why you want this opportunity, your relevant experience and how this fits in with your career development plans.

Fitting of frames in Midland Met Corners

Have you set up your Midland Met Corner yet? By now, every team that is moving to Midland Met has had an exec visit and has been provided with materials to kick start their Midland Met Corners.

Members of our exec team met with colleagues from across the Trust to share floor plans of where they will be moving to within Midland Met. As part of the visits, execs asked teams to create dedicated Midland Met Corners – similar to the Unity ones we used previously. These corners will be the go-to places for colleagues to get the latest news and updates for their specific areas.

This week, ENGIE will be visiting areas to fit A1 frames in your Midland Met Corners. The photo frames will hold our Midland Met floor plan in its entirety, showing where your department will be located. The floor plan will be delivered by the commissioning team as soon as the frames are displayed.

If you’d like to share pics of your Midland Met Corners, please email swbh.mmuh@nhs.net. The most creative ones will be featured on the Midland Met Connect pages.

Trained in Sudan: Faisal dreams of being a cardiologist

Over the next few issues of Heartbeat we will feature inspiring stories of colleagues who are part of the SWB family through the Healthcare Overseas Professionals (HOP) programme.

The programme supports people from overseas (who are qualified healthcare professionals in their own home countries) to get back into clinical practice. These colleagues are all required to pass either the International English Language Test or the Occupational English test) before they take their professional exams.

In this issue we meet Faisal Ali Hassan, a 33 year old married dad of one from Somalia. When in high school, Faisal won a regional scholarship to study abroad which saw him move to Sudan to study medicine.

This is what he told us.

How did you hear about the Healthcare Overseas Professionals (HOP) programme and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust?

I heard about the programme from a friend. I soon attended a meeting about the programme where I met Nav Sharma, Widening Participation Project Support Officer who has been helping and supporting me ever since.

What type of support have you received from the HOP programme?

The Trust has helped and supported me a lot over the years, with helping me to get on courses to improve my English and kept me up to date about new developments with the HOP programme. I have always been encouraged to not give up.

Once I passed the Occupational English Test and Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board 1, I was put forward to for a clinical attachment at City Hospital with Dr Sharma, a consultant cardiologist. The clinical attachment was very important for me to do, as it showed me how the NHS works, patient flow and learning about cultural differences.

How have you benefited from the support you have received from the HOP programme?

After I finished my clinical attachment the Trust, they put me forward when positions for medical support workers at City Hospital became available during COVID-19. I applied for the position and was delighted to be appointed. This role has provided me with an opportunity to gain much needed clinical experience.

What are your plans for the future?

When I first arrived in the UK, I initially found it very difficult to not to be working as a doctor as I have spent many years training to become one. I felt I was losing time for further training, as well as losing clinical experience already gained. However, I decided to carry on and that decision is paying off as I am doing well on my journey so far

In the near future, I need to take Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board 2 exam to get full GMC registration.

After that I would like work in the NHS and later on, I would like to join a training programme as I want to become a cardiologist.

We wish Faisal well on his journey to become a cardiologist!

Join in the NHS Big Tea: 5 July

Your Trust Charity is urging colleagues to celebrate the 73^rd birthday of the NHS on 5 July by helping to raise funds for the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital appeal.

The money raised from the NHS Big Tea event will pay for things like educational areas for our young patients, a play area in the children’s ward and also equipment to kit out overnight family rooms at the super hospital based in Smethwick.

How to get involved

Host your own tea party: You can host own tea party at home or in your ward/department, with guests donating £1 to Your Trust Charity so it can continue to make a difference. You can host your own tea party or gathering in person or virtually, with your community or at work (following all COVID-19 guidelines of course) .

#Dance4Wellbeing: Dr Nick Makwana, will be completing his final #Dance4Wellbeing which you’re invited to join – whilst those of you who don’t fancy dancing, can vote for your favourite wellbeing routines that he has performed in the past year. Click here for details.  If you’re taking part in the #Dance4Wellbeing you can set up sponsorship pages on the charity’s Virgin Money giving page and appeal to family and friends to donate.

Take five, donate £5 and tag 5 friends: Take five minutes out of your day to enjoy a tea break, Text CUPPAT to 70085 to donate. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text CUPPATNOINFO to 70085.

Sign Up To NHS Big Tea: If you’d like to put on your NHS Big Tea, please complete our Event registration form to let us know you’ll be taking part and then download all the materials you need. Once you’ve had your fill of tea and cake, pay in the money you’ve raised so all your hard work can start helping our colleagues and patients. Can’t join the party but would still like to say thank you? You can still pour out your thanks to our hospital by donating here. It’s time to get this fundraising par-TEA started!

For more information please contact amanda.winwood@nhs.net.

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 4 June

By Dinah McLannahan, Chief Finance Officer

Anyone who has seen me around or follows me on Twitter knows I am a big fan of sunshine, so I hope like me, you have enjoyed the wonderful weather we have had this week. Those of you fortunate enough to spend time with children this week I am sure appreciated the opportunity for them to be out and about on a dry sunny day!

It has, as always, been a privilege and pleasure deputising for Richard this week while he gets some well-earned rest.

How are you? We are continuing our focus on your wellbeing and today I met with Dr Masood Aga on our wellbeing offer, resources, and ensuring its effectiveness. Are you taking advantage of the resources we have available? I would urge you to have a look at what’s on offer, and please use it when you’re able to. Sometimes it seems we have very little time when working and looking after our family and loved ones – but it is vital to take time to look after yourself. We are encouraging colleagues to nominate one hour per week as a dedicated time to focus on wellbeing – it can be at any time that best suits you, your service or department. This can be time within the working day to focus on something that helps with wellbeing such as a learning & development activity, reading, walking or team discussion. Just ensure you discuss and agree any timeout with your line manager.

As you know, there is no I in team. As we recover from the pandemic, effective teamwork becomes even more important. We know you and your teams need time together to reflect, discuss experiences and identify ways to move forward together and we are encouraging you to plan some time to do this. It is important that you have the freedom to design what will work for your teams, and the Trust will provide support in organising your away time, and make funding available.

As a team, do consider carefully what you would like to do that would be beneficial to all of you. Your group directors and senior finance managers will be able to advise on the development of your plans. We will need you to provide a short explanation of how your particular event will improve wellbeing for your team, and you will need to assure your group leaders that clinical services will not be affected. All reasonable requests will be considered; we should not put a value on your wellbeing and recovery – but as always please bear in mind value for money and don’t forget we are spending public funds! I know that some of you have already started on this journey of recovery, and I encourage you all to take up this important opportunity.

It has been a busy half term week across our organisation. We have been celebrating the vital contribution of our volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week. Our team of volunteers have supported us throughout the pandemic and we thank them all for looking out for us and our patients. Recently, we welcomed back one of our long term volunteers, Rob Kingston. Rob has been a familiar friendly face around Sandwell for 11 years and we are delighted that he has returned to us after a 13 month break. Please do show appreciation to our volunteers as you meet them across our sites.

SWB was the first Trust in England to welcome RCN Nursing cadets to complete four days of observational placement. Coming as the result of a partnership between ourselves, the RCN, Holly Lodge School and the cadet force, 15 cadets joined us for the week to gain an insight into a career in health.

This week also saw the launch of the Clean Air Zone in Birmingham. Do visit the website to find out if your car is exempt, most will be. Perhaps you could think about using this as an opportunity to change how you commute to work if you are able. It was good to see the team from Ebikebrum on site offering colleagues short term loans as part of a study looking at wellbeing improvements from using the e-bikes.

And our Star of the Week is Sue Houghton who is a healthcare assistant on Priory 4. Sue was nominated by a colleague for the kindness she showed when the colleague recently returned to work at our Trust. Sue took her colleague under her wing, offering support and advice as required. Well done Sue!

And to finish off, if you enjoy a thrill, Your Trust Charity’s crane zip wire fundraising event in September may be just up your street. All funds raised will help the charity make the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital more than a hospital; this has long been our vision for it. If you choose to take part you will enter a secure cage at ground level. A crane will then lift the cage into the air. Once the cage reaches the agreed height, you’ll zip wire out speeding past the Midland Met at around 35 mph along a 220 metre long zip wire. You would need to raise a minimum of £250 to take part. Details are on Connect.

#hellomynameis

Dinah McLannahan, Chief Finance Officer

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 4 June

Number not statistics: This week (last week)

New: COVID-19 antibody research study looking for colleagues to take part

A new research study – COPE-WM The contribution of occupational exposures to risk of COVID-19 and approaches to control among healthcare workers – is underway at the Trust, supported by our R&D team. Principal investigator Dr Masood Aga and lead nurse Irene Echaveznaguicnic are keen to invite colleagues to find out how to participate by clicking this link: www.birmingham.ac.uk/COPE-study. Recruitment is underway and will end on 31 July.

Participation will involve colleagues being given a home antibody test kit to test for previous COVID-19 infection, and the results will help to find out how best to maximise safety for all staff. There is even an opportunity to win an iPad or £200 prize draw. To take part you will need to complete a questionnaire at the start of the study (online or on paper) and a follow up questionnaire after 4 months. You will also have to do a finger-prick dried blood spot test which will be used to check for COVID-19 antibodies. The test will be mailed to your house.

To be eligible to take part you need to have had a test (PCR or lateral flow) for COVID-19 or relevant symptoms in March/April last year when testing was not available. The research aims to find out why workers in healthcare settings are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 and how best to maximise safety for all staff. To take part: https://is.gd/copewmret  Or contact the COPE-WM team by emailing cope-wm@contacts.bham.ac.uk or calling 0121 414 3151.

New: Get in the loop with COVID-19 weekly LAMP testing

The COVID-19 weekly saliva testing programme (LAMP – Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) is now well established across our organisation. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to register and continue with the testing programme.

This reliable test is an easy way to help us all ensure we are remaining safe, and, most importantly, keeping our colleagues and Trust as COVID secure as we can. Detecting positive cases sooner reduces the risk of the virus being passed on to patients, colleagues, family members and beyond in our communities.

Even if you are vaccinated it is vital that you register and carry out the weekly tests. This will identify asymptomatic cases and is of particular benefit in helping to pick up positive cases that would then be sequenced to identify any variants.

All line managers are asked to remind colleagues to:

• Call and book a kit collection slot by calling 0121 507 2664 and selecting option 6
• To undertake weekly testing and drop off their samples

Samples can be dropped into the phlebotomy department, Monday – Friday  from 7.30am – 3.30pm and 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, samples can be dropped off 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.

The latest data by group is below.

Further information including the directorate and professional group rates is published here.

New: NO change to IPC rules within health and social care settings

As the landscape outside work changes with the relaxing of rules enabling two households to meet indoors and face coverings no longer required in classrooms, some questions have been posed by colleagues wanting to know if the new rules apply at work. So we would like to clarify that there has been NO change to the rules within health and social care settings, meaning colleagues must stick to the hands, face, space, fresh air rules we are now used to. This is to ensure we keep our patients and staff safe.

New: Know the variants

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now published a up to date list of all variants of SARS-CoV-2 which are of concern or interest. You can check out this list by clicking here. Note: The variants have been given Greek names to prevent stigmatisation of countries.

Do you still need your vaccination? Did you know that majority of hospitalisations due to COVID-19 is amongst people who have not had the COVID-19 vaccination. With this in mind, one of the most effective ways you can protect yourself, your loved ones and patients is by getting your COVID-19 vaccination. If you are yet to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, please do so.

• You can still book in to get your jab at either Tipton Sports Academy vaccination centre or at the Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall.
• The hub at Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Road, is running Monday to Sunday, 8am – 7.30pm.

Book your slot via the national booking website. You can also use this link to book an appointment locally to your home. For the Saddlers Shopping Centre follow this link to book: Walsall Saddlers Centre.

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.

New: SIREN Study proves huge success

Our Trust has officially been congratulated by the Chief Investigator (National Study Lead) Dr Julie Hopkins from Public Health England on our successful recruitment on SIREN study and for being an exemplar for diverse participants on all measures including ethnicity, gender and job role.

We have received a Certificate of Achievement for successful recruitment of 547 SIREN participants.

The Trust would like to say a huge thank you to all participants in study as well as all colleagues from research and development, phlebotomy and occupational health who have ensured the success of the study.

Updated: Swabbing pathway for surgical patients

Colleagues are advised that the swabbing pathway standard operating procedure has been updated to change the rules around self-isolation prior to coming in for a planned procedure. Previously patients were told they must isolate for 72 hours following their COVID test – that has been relaxed to should isolate.

Please see the amended SOP here.

Updated: Changes to FIT Testing

We have recently made changes to how you arrange to get FIT tested. Previously colleagues have been asked to call ext.5050 to arrange an appointment. It has now changed and colleagues can now access FIT testing in the following ways:

• Log onto ESR and book an appointment to be fit tested
• Fit testing is a mandatory role specific requirement
• Fit Testing is held in the Old Security Bungalow, City Hospital

For any urgent requests or more information please contact the infection, prevention and control team on ext. 5195.

Reminder: Looking after your wellbeing

We continue to review our roadmap to reopening our gym facilities so we can reopen as soon as we can safely do so. In the meantime you can take advantage of a 20 per cent discount per month at Sandwell Leisure Trust via their one card membership.

There remain a wide range of wellbeing options available to colleagues. These are just some of the ways you can support your personal wellbeing:

• Try something new such as mindful yoga with Chris
• Try out our relaxation pod. Call 0121 507 5886 to book.
• Book a chat or massage at the Sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886. The ‘Daily Sanctuary Session’ flyer explains the different therapeutic sessions offered.
• Call our counselling service on 0800 06 96 222 between 7am – 11pm or book via occupational health on 0121 507 3306.
• Have a conversation with one of our REACT Practitioners by calling 0121 507 5886.
• Sign up for a Blue Light Card to access exclusive discounts for NHS staff

And finally: Magic in the air for maternity colleagues

Since early on in the pandemic we have run maternity clinics out of two of our local football stadiums, thanks to the kindness of Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion football clubs. This has meant that anxious mums-to-be and new mums were able to continue their maternity care without having to travel in to our hospital sites during the pandemic.

The Trust is very appreciative of the warmth of the reception our maternity colleagues have experienced over this time. However it was a great surprise when Harry Potter star – Oliver Phelps – aka George Weasley stopped in to the Aston Villa maternity clinic this week to hand out hampers to the star struck staff. Addressing the staff he said: “In recognition of the amazing work you have done throughout the pandemic, keeping mums and babies safe, here is a treat to say thanks.” Alas no butterbeer!

Chapel services and Friday prayers

In case you missed it, social distancing and infection control measures have been put into place which will ensure that colleagues who wish to use the chapel and prayer rooms can do so safely.

Jummah (Friday) Prayers have resumed in the chapel at Sandwell and Millers old restaurant in City. Prayer times are staggered so that there are only a maximum number of people using the spaces at any one time on both sites.

Christian services have also resumed in the chapels at both sites, which also remain open for individual worship. Both spaces are set out to reflect social distancing measures.

The chaplaincy has continued to provide a service throughout the pandemic and every Sunday they light candles for colleagues and patients. If you would like a candle lit for a loved one who has passed away or is sick, please email mary.causer@nhs.net or call ext. 3552.

• Friday prayer – Khutbah, 1.15pm (Jamat, 1.13pm)
• Sunday communion services – City Chapel, 11am and Sandwell Chapel, 2.30pm
• City Hospital catholic mass – 12pm, first Wednesday of every month
• Sandwell Hospital catholic mass – 11.30am, first Friday of every month.

Volunteers’ Week: Thank you volunteers

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.

Message from our volunteers: Mangal Singh and Neha Rani are both volunteers at SWB. Be sure to check out this short video below about why they enjoying volunteering.

Thank you volunteers: As a thank you to all our volunteers, our volunteer service have produced volunteer thank you cards to which have been sent out to all our SWB volunteers.

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.