Monthly archives: September 2021

Booking appointments in IPM/Lorenzo

Are you adding the consultation type when booking appointments on IPM/Lorenzo? If not, please  read this mini SOP on how to do this.

It is important to start adding the consultancy/media type when booking appointments. This will ensure the Trust tracks what activity we are doing and continue to look at improving our booking processes.

For any more information on this please, contact markwhitehouse@nhs.net or roy.aston@nhs.net.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 3 September

1. New: Update to swabbing guidance

There has been a regional review of the swabbing guidance which now requires all inpatients to be swabbed on day 13 and then every 7 days for the remainder of their stay in hospital. This new change is now in effect and all colleagues must follow this new procedure.

This means inpatients will now be swabbed:

• On admission
• On day 3
• On day 7 and
• On day 13. And every 7 days if they remain an inpatient.

Patients must also be re-swabbed if they develop any COVID-19 symptoms.

The infection and control team have produced a screening guide for you to follow. Please click on the image below to see the screening guide.

For queries contact the infection control team on ext. 5900.

2. New: How to safely package your saliva test

Many of you have signed up to the weekly saliva (LAMP) testing programme – which is a speedy and accurate way of determining whether you have COVID-19.

You can book a kit collection slot for the weekly test which simply requires you to spit into a tube in the morning before you brush your teeth or an hour after you have eaten.

When you arrive at work, you can deposit your sample into a red collection box. Many of these are positioned around our acute and community sites.

Here’s a pictorial guide on how to package your swab:

Uptake of the weekly saliva test is monitored to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our patients, the public and each other.

You can also watch a video on how to do your saliva test here.

The latest data by group is below:

3. New: Following the right guidance when working for more than one organisation

Some colleagues are in a position where they are working for more than one NHS organisation.

Colleagues are advised that, when working across our sites, it is our isolation guidance that must be adhered to, which is that anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who lives in the same household as a positive COVID-19 case must not return to work, apart from some agreed exemptions.

Exemptions are:

• Those working in critical care where the prolonged absence of staff risks the safety of providing clinical or care services.
• On that basis, the team will mitigate that risk by allowing those who’ve had direct contact with a household member who is COVID positive to return to work with restrictions in place. These include a negative PCR test and having no contact with non-COVID-19 patients.
• The decision to allow staff to attend work in other areas will be made on a case by case basis. A COVID-19 self-isolation exemption decision assessment will need to be completed by a line manager. It will also require authorisation by the Director of IPC/Deputy Director IPC or the on-call manager out-of-hours.

This decision will ensure we can continue to support safe patient care and the safety of all our colleagues.

For the protocol and guidance, click here.

4. New: The flu jab and COVID-19 booster are coming soon!

As we move into September and head towards autumn days it won’t be long until the flu season will be upon us. Not only will we need to shield ourselves against flu as we approach the latter end of the year, it’s also important to protect ourselves as much as possible from COVID-19.

Towards the end of September we will be offering the flu jab and COVID-19 booster to all colleagues here at the Trust. These free vaccinations are on offer to help protect yourselves, patients, colleagues and loved ones from flu and COVID-19.

More information on how to book your slot for these vaccinations will be released in due course so keep a look out in the daily communications bulletin and on Connect.

Boost your immunity this winter.

5. New: Neutralising monoclonal antibody therapy – coming soon

Many of you may have heard of the new neutralising monoclonal antibody therapy against COVID virus that is soon to be available and will add an additional option in treatment for patients with COVID infection.

Data suggests that the therapy reduces the risk of progression to severe disease and reduces length of hospital stay. We are awaiting final notification of treatment availability and specific indications for use. Hopefully by next week the specifics of the treatment pathway will be available and the systems in place so we can start treating patients with this new class of anti-COVID therapies. We will share details with clinical teams and through the COVID-19 bulletin.

6. Reminder: COVID vaccination status for NHS staff entering care homes  

From 11 November 2021, all care home workers, and anyone entering a care home, will need to be fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt.

These new government regulations state that all care home staff are required to provide proof of having had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or that they fall within a specified exemption.  This applies to all CQC regulated care homes providing nursing or personal care in England.

All Trust staff (including temporary, voluntary, bank and agency staff) working to fulfil a service in a care home funded by the NHS are in scope of these regulations. This will include, but is not limited to:

• Primary care (general practice, dentistry, optometry and pharmacy), community health, mental health, learning disability and autism (MHLDA), acute teams providing outreach into care homes, non-emergency patient transport services, end of life community teams and staff attending to maintain medical equipment
• Staff not in a front-line caring role who visit a care home. For example, in relation to continuing health care or a training provider.

Under current vaccination guidance, eight weeks are required between the first and second vaccine dose. Therefore, all staff entering a care home for work – who are not exempt – need to have had their first dose by 16 September 2021 at the latest.

Line managers are asked to liaise with their teams who may be affected by these regulations to:

• Understand and document vaccination and exemption status of staff members
• Actively support uptake of vaccination ahead of 16 September 2021 and conduct supportive one to one conversations to establish reasons for vaccine hesitancy
• Carry out a risk assessment for staff and services impacted and actively plan workforce deployment for services. This is to avoid disruption to our service provision in care homes
• Ensure that relevant staff will be able to demonstrate, via the NHS app or otherwise, that they have either been fully vaccinated or are exempt from the requirement.

Further information/guidance can be obtained via Group HR Business Partners.

You can read the latest FAQs here.

7. Reminder: Wanted! Please return your respirator hoods  

Ahead of winter, the infection, prevention and control team (IPC team) are conducting an audit of all respirator hoods in use across the organisation.

The team would like to ensure that all hoods are available and in good working order. Your cooperation will ensure we have the equipment in place ahead of winter and that it is fit for purpose.

If you have any respirator hoods that you no longer require, please contact the IPC team or Scott Shenton on ext. 5089 or 07866 007539.

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 3 September

The Trust Board public meeting took place yesterday which as always provided a useful opportunity to discuss Trust’s performance and consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our current and future plans. The Chairman expressed on behalf of the Board his gratitude to all staff for everything you continue to do in the face of COVID-19. Adapting to different ways of working and changing how we do things, sometimes at short notice, is a challenge. And it remains a challenge to keep going despite all that you have been through. Your actions and commitment are recognised and valued and you are continuing to provide vital services to patients and families, in the most trying of circumstances – thank you.

The highlight of the Board meeting for me was the presentation from midwives Afrah Muflihi and Sylvia Owusu-Nepaul who are leading the way in our maternity services on equality, diversity and inclusion. They talked about how they are engaging with different communities across Sandwell and West Birmingham and the importance of ensuring that maternity services feel safe and welcoming for any woman no matter their background, culture, race or country of origin. We can make a demonstrable difference to the health of babies and mothers if people know how to access our services and present at the right times for appointments, scans and tests. Our services need to recognise the barriers that we, perhaps unknowingly, put in the way. They also talked about new ways to hear from families about their experiences throughout their pregnancy and birth journeys understanding that many people are reluctant to complain or voice concerns if they feel something hasn’t been done as well as it could have been. Afrah described how they are thinking through ways to ask women about the one thing that could have made their experience better. This is a great way of engaging with people to better understand what more we could be doing to improve care, and also uncover if there are any more serious concerns that they haven’t felt comfortable in raising. Is this something you could consider doing in your service? Why not try it and see what happens as a result?

I hope some of you were able to join in to hear Dr Phil Hammond’s light-hearted show last night that was broadcast from City Hospital. Do take the opportunity to listen to your colleagues sharing their thoughts on humour in the NHS and some of the funny experiences they have had throughout their careers. You will even have an opportunity to listen to the musical talents of our very own Tony, from the coffee shop on the main spine at City, a true local legend! You can catch up on the show on BBC Sounds – search for “Dr Phil’s Bedside Manner”.

Congratulations to Syria Munhuweyi who is this week’s Star of the Week. Nurse Syria was nominated by a medical colleague for her professional, caring approach and the compassionate way she supports family members. Her care of a patient at end of life was praised by the family who felt that Syria deserved a medal for her considerate care, keeping the family informed and ensuring that their loved one was comfortable. This is a fantastic example of outstanding care. Thank you, Syria.

Next week is the first ever national Pride in the NHS Week, hosted by NHS England with a virtual pride event taking place between 6 and 10 September. The event takes place in the online People Promise festival arena, combining a range of insights to create a truly accessible and engaging experience. All are welcome to take part at whatever time during the week that you can make it and I hope many of you can join in. For more information and to access your free entry passes go to the dedicated information site – https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/pride-in-the-nhs-week-and-nhs-virtual-pride

Finally, a plea from me to you all.  Unsurprisingly, given the loosening of social distancing and mask wearing restrictions in shops, hospitality and wider society, I am starting to observe a significant move away from our own adherence to these measures which continue to be required of us in healthcare settings.  Let me be blunt – your nose is connected to your lungs.  Please wear your masks at all times when in rooms or corridors with other colleagues or other people and please wear those masks properly.

Star of the Week: Syria Munhuweyi

Our Star of the Week this week is Syria Munhuweyi, Staff Nurse.

During pandemic, Syria has been caring for our elderly patients who need sophisticated care. She has been doing her job with utmost priority whilst ensuring all patient care and safety needs are consistently being met whilst supporting patient family members in a sensitive way.

Syria Munhuweyi’s work has been recognised for her due diligence and excellence by Umme Hafsa, consultant who said: “Unfortunately, one of my patients recently died. She (Syria) was looking after him. When I spoke the family member of the deceased family, they have informed me that Syria did a wonderful job when she was looking after her father during his last illness. She was considerate and kept the family up-do-date. She tried her best to make the patient comfortable. The relative also informed me that she deserved a medal for what she did for her father.”

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.

Apprenticeship of the week: Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 – along with your current salary, you will undertake a training programme to gain a recognised award/qualification:

We are currently recruiting four senior HCAs. Click here for more information.

Please ensure you also complete the NHS Standard Application Form.

Note: The closing date for this role is Tuesday 7 September.

For further details please contact the apprenticeship team by emailing swbh.apprenticeship@nhs.net or calling 0121 507 6425.

Don’t forget, apprenticeships are open to all colleagues of any age and all study will be within your working hours and your salary will not be adversely affected.

Yellow specimen bags for urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples

With immediate effect, all colleagues must use the yellow specimen bags (see photo below) for urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples as you do for urgent blood sciences samples.

The processing of urgent (non-COVID) microbiology samples will be processed by the team at the hub microbiology laboratory at New Cross Hospital Monday – Sunday from 5pm – 8am the following day.

The following samples will be processed:

• CSFs
• Joint and ascitic fluids up until midnight. After midnight these must be approved by the out of hours duty doctor for microbiology (please contact via SWB switchboard as you do currently)
• Vitreous/Aqueous taps
• Any other sample agreed by the out of hours duty doctor for microbiology

Please contact SWB switchboard as you would normally informing them that you have an urgent (non-COVID) microbiology sample for processing and they will action accordingly.

It is imperative that the sample is sent to the appropriate blood sciences department (Sandwell/City as you currently do) as soon as possible so as not to delay the transport to New Cross Hospital and subsequent processing of the sample.

For further details please see the microbiology samples flowchart.

Note: Please ensure that contact details are clearly written on the request so that the result can be phoned through.

New Region wide MASC (Medicines Authorisation (for) Symptom Control) form from 6 September

A standardised regional form has been developed for Administration of Subcutaneous Drugs for Symptom Control Management in palliative care.

Reasons for development:

• Numerous incidents relating to anticipatory prescribing and authorisation forms across the area.
• At the time of review there were 5+ forms in circulation – this made transfer of patients across care providers more tricky
• A standardised form across BSOL and Sandwell, used by NHS Trusts, hospices and care homes will help reduce risk.
• A form that supports an individualised approach for patients with regards to symptom control is best practice.
• Learning from Gosport Report

All wards, GP practices and community bases should shortly receive a small number of the new form required for anticipatory medication and syringe driver administration for palliative patients. This will be in use across all settings in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell from Monday 6 September.

You can order further copies by emailing medical illustration on swbh.miprint@nhs.net quoting reference code MF6317.

Note: Any printed copies of the previous MAF forms may be used until Sunday 2 January 2022 but from Monday 3 January 2022 only the MASC forms will be accepted.

For more information please contact call 0121 507 3611 or email swb-tr.SWBH-GM-Connected-PC-Hub@nhs.net.

Star Awards 2021: Clinical Team of the Year (Adults) – vote now!

This years’ Star Awards will once again look to recognise those colleagues who go above and beyond the call of duty to help us provide great care and support to our patients.

Clinical Team of the Year (Adults) is a team that has provided consistent, high quality care for adults whilst meeting financial and operational targets, a team that has demonstrated best practice or has driven forward improvements in patient care or has pulled together through particularly difficult circumstances.

The nominees this year are:

Clinical Team of the Year (Adults):

• Acute Respiratory Hub & Physiology Team
• COVID Intensive Care Team
• Leasowes Intermediate Care Centre

Voting will stay open through to Friday 17 September. Please take the time to think about who has gone the extra mile and submit your votes.

Remember, you can only vote once for each category so make your vote count.

Click here to cast your vote now!

See the full awards short list: You can see the full of colleagues who have been short listed for this year’s awards on Connect. Congratulations and good luck to all.

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

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Star Awards 2021: Employee of the Year – vote now!

This years’ Star Awards will once again look to recognise those colleagues who go above and beyond the call of duty to help us provide great care and support to our patients.

Employee of the Year is somebody who has shown an excellent attitude to work, colleagues and patients, someone who has repeatedly gone beyond the call of duty, made improvements to the delivery of services or the patient experience, or who consistently demonstrates the Trust’s promises to provide excellent care.

The nominees this year are:

• Julie Booth – Deputy Director of Infection Prevention & Control
• Lorraine Pace – Ward Clerk
• Paulette Duzan – Community Matron – Health Visiting
• Zaheer Iqbal – Portering Manager

Voting will stay open through to Friday 17 September. Please take the time to think about who has gone the extra mile and submit your votes.

Remember, you can only vote once for each category so make your vote count.

Click here to cast your vote now!

See the full awards short list: You can see the full of colleagues who have been short listed for this year’s awards on Connect. Congratulations and good luck to all.

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

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Star Awards 2021: Clinical Team of the Year (Children) – vote now!

This years’ Star Awards will once again look to recognise those colleagues who go above and beyond the call of duty to help us provide great care and support to our patients.

Clinical Team of the Year (Children) is a team that has provided consistent, high quality care for children whilst meeting financial and operational targets, a team that has demonstrated best practice or has driven forward improvements in patient care or has pulled together through particularly difficult circumstances. This could include teams who care for children across our Trust settings and services, not just our specialist paediatric teams.

The nominees this year are:

• Children’s Speech and Language Team
• Health Visiting Team
• School Nursing Service

Voting will stay open through to Friday 17 September. Please take the time to think about who has gone the extra mile and submit your votes.

Remember, you can only vote once for each category so make your vote count.

Click here to cast your vote now!

See the full awards short list: You can see the full of colleagues who have been short listed for this year’s awards on Connect. Congratulations and good luck to all.

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

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