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Monthly archives: September 2021

Domestic violence and abuse awareness e-learning now available on ESR

 

Domestic violence and abuse awareness training takes a trauma informed approach which takes account of the whole family who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, looking at root causes of behaviour whilst also challenging and holding those perpetrating the abuse to account. The needs of children remain paramount and there is greater emphasis on ensuring that the “voice of the child” is heard and remains central to assessment and safety planning.

Due to the transferable nature of the content, the modules are relevant to practitioners working with unborn, children and families across the wider healthcare system. The modules are aligned to underpinning statutory guidance for professionals who have safeguarding obligations. This e-learning programme will enable you to meet level 3 of the NICE guidance Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working training recommendation.

The programme consists of four new introductory modules which were updated and added in April 2020 following a refresh of the evidence, policy and legislation on domestic violence and abuse. Included is the latest definition of domestic violence and abuse which incorporates concepts of coercive control – both single incidents and patterns of behaviour and covers the concept of ‘economic abuse’.

  • Module one – Understanding domestic violence and abuse
  • Module two – Identification of domestic violence and abuse
  • Module three – Risk assessment for victims of domestic violence and abuse
  • Module four – Safety planning and support for families.

The modules include videos, case studies, links to aid learning and questions to test your knowledge of the subjects and reflect on your learning.

When logged into ESR search for “000Domestic Violence and abuse” to access the training.

For more information please see E Learning Domestic Violence and Abuse Information Sheet.

Allowances for visiting during COVID-19: Ensuring vulnerable patients are able to see loved ones

 

We’d like to remind colleagues that although visiting restrictions remain in place for most inpatients, there are exceptional circumstances where limited visiting is allowed, for example for young patients, those who lack mental capacity and patients who are at the end of their life.

For these patients it is really important – not least as an act of kindness – that we are able to safely facilitate limited visiting rather than adopt a blanket ban, so please if in doubt ask your group for advice.

There are also arrangements in place to allow limited visiting on postnatal wards, a partner to accompany scanning appointments and an additional birthing partner.

It is essential to note that even for these groups visiting is NOT ALLOWED by anyone who is self-isolating, regardless of the circumstances.

Sad passing of Daseth Gregory

 

On Wednesday 25 August, a very dear colleague Daseth Gregory sadly passed away.

Daseth Gregory, Clinical Lead Podiatrist in the foot health team worked as a podiatrist for 38 years before retiring in 2017.

During her long distinguished service Daseth epitomised the Trust values not only in terms of the care that she provided to the patients  but to all staff  she came into contact with. Her ever present smiling face and calm, gentle, encouraging tone welcomed and nurtured colleagues embarking on their careers at SWB, providing guidance and a confidential ear to encourage us to be the best in all we do and the services we deliver.

Daseth took pride in the Trust and wanted nothing more than the service she led to be the best in it’s field pushing the boundaries for developments. During her time within the Trust Daseth saw much change and was instrumental in making change, developing services and taking her colleagues gently along that journey. Respected and loved by all her patients, particularly the children, Daseth then went on to become a clinical lead for the foot health team in MSK and governance, championing quality and care for our patients before retiring in 2017 to spend time with her husband and family .

Daseth was proud to be part of the SWB family and her passing leaves us all saddened but our lives all the more enriched through knowing her

Office 365: Getting all of your personal files over on to OneDrive before shared drive are locked

 

As our move to Office 365 draws closers with less than a week and a half until the change it’s important that colleagues begin to move their personal files over to their new OneDrive shares.

Previously all colleagues would have been assigned a personal share on the network, often shown on their computers as the ‘h drive’, however with the move to Office 365, all colleagues must ensure that they have moved their personal files from the h drive over to their new One Drive shares by 24 September.

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud-based file storage service. All kinds of files, including documents, images, music, and video can be stored on OneDrive, and these files can be accessed, managed and shared securely from almost any device, provided it has internet access. OneDrive allows files to be synced across desktops, browsers, and mobile devices, so it’s ideal for documents you want to store safely but have easy access to.

All users have a maximum allocation of 2gb of OneDrive storage, to store their personal files such as supervision records, PDRs and documents that require secure storage but do not need to be shared with their colleagues. Please do not store files that relate to your wider team or department in your OneDrive share, documents that relate to departments, teams and services that need to be accessible by other members of your team should be moved to the new Sharepoint shares that are rolling out.

Please ensure you do not attempt to migrate data whilst connected via Pulse Secure. Migrations must be done whilst users are onsite and connected directly to the network. 

Training on the new system is available; colleagues can enrol on the online course by following the instructions here: https://connect2.swbh.nhs.uk/trustindigital/office-365-moving-to-the-cloud/accessing-training/

All files and folders will need to be transferred by Friday 24 September, after which the current shared drive locations will be locked to being read only.

For more information or support with your move to Office 365 contact the IT Servicedesk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050.

Stop by the Sepsis stalls across the Trust on Monday 13 September

 

To mark World Sepsis Day we will be hosting Sepsis Awareness Stalls across the Trust on Monday 13 September. Stop by to find out more about what you can do to help understand, diagnose and treat this infection and ultimately save lives.

World Sepsis Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against sepsis. Sepsis accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Yet, depending on country and education, sepsis is known only to 7 – 50% of the people.

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It is the second most common cause of death in UK, second only to cardiovascular disease and it sadly remains one of the common causes of death here in at SWB.

Test your Sepsis knowledge by completing our Sepsis quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SEPSISsept

Colleagues who are unsure of the sepsis screening processes are encouraged to speak to their ward matrons or contact the deteriorating patients and resus team on ext. 5908.

Learn more about sepsis

Patient training video: Enoxaparin pre-filled syringe device – how to use the syringe device to avoid needle stick injuries

 

As we are switching from Clexane injection to Inhixa (biosimilar of Enoxaparin) at the start of October, to ensure colleagues are able to use the new devices safely, training sessions were delivered to the nurses by a representative from the manufacturer in July.

If you missed training or would like a refresher, be sure to check the training video by clicking here.

Heartbeat: Midland Met welcomes local council leader

 

Councillor Rajbir Singh, the leader of Sandwell Council, recently visited Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) to see how the build is progressing. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, he was pleased to see how work is continuing on site.

Midland Met will be one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the region and will provide integrated care for residents. Once complete, it will bring together teams who provide acute and emergency care, offering maternity, children and inpatient adult services to half a million people.

With several new facilities including, trauma theatres, emergency theatres, maternity theatres and delivery suites – it will deliver a new level of care. Modern purpose-built facilities and state-of-the-art equipment will support faster diagnosis and improve patient outcomes, enabling clinical teams to provide enhanced patient care.

One such example will be the dual hoist system which will help make the care we deliver for bariatric patients safer and more comfortable for both patients and colleagues. The hoist allows synchronisation of lifting to cope with uneven loading, ensuring safe lifting for bariatric patients.

Councillor Singh said: “My visit to Midland Met has enabled me to meet with Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust colleagues and see first-hand how well the project is progressing.

“Not only will the new hospital enhance the experiences of patients – providing excellence in clinical care – the positive change and opportunities afforded by the hospital are already providing a boost to the local economy, with 800 people – including local tradespeople – working on the project.

“Midland Met will become a cornerstone of the Black Country and West Birmingham region, breathing life into the heart of what was once the industrial West Midlands. Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Homes England and the Canal and River Trust will focus on regenerating the Smethwick to Birmingham corridor. The hospital will play an essential part in these regeneration plans and help us build a better future for the local communities we serve.”

Rachel Barlow, Director of System Transformation, explained: “The aspirations for our new hospital reach far beyond providing effective clinical care. We are building a facility for our local communities to use. Our Winter Garden will have one of the largest gallery spaces in the region. We are also devising an arts and culture programme that will see a broad mix of content co-created and curated on-site at Midland Met. Plus, our opening festival will further help to bring our communities together.

“Beyond this, we are working across a partnership with Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council, the Combined Authority and the Canal and River Trust to ensure Midland Met contributes directly to the wider regeneration in the region. We want to help improve the social and economic impact of what we can do as an organisation. That means we will be supporting plans to implement cycle routes, housing projects and, we aspire to have the first university campus in Smethwick adjacent to the Midland Met site.”

Learning from domestic homicide reviews

 

A domestic homicide review (DHR) is a multi-agency review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by a person to whom they were related or with whom they were, or had been, in an intimate personal relationship, or a member of the same household as themselves. Since 13 April 2011 there has been a statutory requirement for local areas to conduct a DHR following a domestic homicide that meets the criteria.

DHRs provide information on the nature of domestic homicide, the context in which it occurs and, most importantly, in the lessons that can be learned from the tragic event. This analysis sets out what we know about domestic homicide and draws out common themes and trends and identifies learning from DHRs.

The Trust has recently been part of a review (DHR 13). This tragic event has enabled us to reflect on the learning identified and to consider how this can be used to deliver improvements to practice within our Trust enabling us to safeguard victims.

Below are learning briefing papers from DHR 13:

Q-Park permit collection update – please continue to use your current parking pass

 

Q-Park want to apologise for the delay in producing the physical barrier cards for those who have successfully applied and been accepted for a new permit on the Q-Park system.

The production of new barrier cards is delayed until all sites have the new barrier systems in place. This is so colleagues don’t have to use different barrier cards for different sites.

Note: Q-Park are aware that colleagues who have successfully applied for a permit will be in receipt of an email that their new barrier card will be ready for collection in five days.

Q-Park ask that all current barrier card holders continue to use their Trust card until further communications are sent out saying the new barrier cards are ready for collection.

Still need to complete your parking application? Click here for further details and to apply.

For more information please email Ross.Badham@q-park.co.uk.

Supporting our veterans

 

In light of the recent events in Afghanistan, we want to ensure that our veteran community and their families who work in the Trust are supported during this challenging time. We also recognise that some colleagues who have family and friends in Afghanistan may be affected as well.

NHS England and Improvement have shared the support available:

Note: Our occupational health service have arranged priority support for colleagues affected by the current situation with wellbeing support including 1-1 sessions and fast track counselling. If you feel you would benefit from this specific service, please contact occupational health by calling 0121 507 3306 or by emailing swbh.ohreferrals@nhs.net

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