Monthly archives: November 2021

Flu myths – solved!

We’re still on a mission to clear up any flu myths for those who may be unsure on whether to get their flu jab. Our myth for today is:

MYTH! Pregnant women should especially get the flu vaccine since their immune systems are weaker than usual. Flu during pregnancy can be extremely dangerous for women and their babies – increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labour. Having the jab can also protect babies against flu after they’re born and during the early months of life, as babies cannot be vaccinated.

Where to get your jabs

• Sandwell: Pop up clinics are taking place on Wednesday 10 November and Wednesday 24 November in the Berridge room (off the courtyard gardens) in occupational health
• City: The City vaccination hub is open seven days a week
• Rowley: The next pop up at Rowley is due Thursday 25 November, with walk ins able to come in to Westwood ward from 9am – 4pm.

Note: There must be at least six months (182 days) between your second dose of your COVID-19 jab and your booster.

Do you have any other myths that need busting? You can contact the vaccine hub on 0121 507 4404.

Albion Foundation supporting men’s mental health with football

The Albion Foundation are hosting a men’s mental health football support programme which starts today (Monday 8 November), 8pm – 10pm at Tipton Sports Academy.

This project aims to engage with men (aged 18+) from the Sandwell borough and is targeted at males who have either been diagnosed with mental health problems or are having issues with their mental health or just need additional support. It will be a free 5 a side football league which will consist of weekly league style matches.

To sign up please click here.

For more information please email ryan.kimberley@albionfoundation.co.uk.

Job of the week: Healthy child practitioner, Band 5

Are you dynamic, motivated, enthusiastic and passionate about giving children the best start in life? Do you wish to join an ‘Outstanding’ Health Visiting Service, as rated by the CQC? If the answer is yes, we would very much like to hear from you.

We have a new and exciting opportunity within our the health visiting service and we are looking for innovative registered nurses or midwives with an interest in health visiting to work as a Band 5 healthy child practitioner (HCP) to deliver a core programme to children, young people and families in Sandwell. This is a an 8 month secondment/fixed term position to introduce the successful candidates to the role of the health visitor, with the opportunity to apply for the fully funded Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) SCPHN in health visiting. The HCP will work within the health visiting service as part of the acute and community paediatric directorate. They will support and deliver the universal children’s services in line with the HCP 0-5 years.

Applicants should be a registered nurse or midwife, with drive, ambition, good organisational abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively, utilising electronic and manual systems. Excellent knowledge of the current health agenda relating to children’s services and health visiting is a necessity and the ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.

If you wish to apply, please click here.

Closing date for all applications is Monday 15 November.

For more information please call Rachel Langford, health visitor team leader on 07972344525 or Dinesh Katheru, health visitor team leader on 07972344730.

Apprenticeships of the week: Rehab support worker and clerical officer

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

We are currently recruiting for:

• Rehab support worker (iCares): We have vacancies within our iCares team for experienced HCAs to join our level 3 programme. You will maintain a band 2 salary whilst undertaking the programme, moving onto a band 3 on completion. Working as a member of the service providing a rehabilitation approach to clients, participate in the assessment, treatment and monitoring of clients referred to the service. Under supervision, to manage a caseload of clients to meet patient and service demands and provide interventions to clients as agreed with qualified staff, working collaboratively to meet ongoing client needs.
• Clerical Officer (integrated discharge hub) We are looking for a flexible and innovative clerical officer to join our friendly team, working within the new system-wide integrated discharge hub. You will be providing clerical support surrounding the multidisciplinary input towards quality assurance for hospital discharges, including acute and community care.

For more information please contact Karen Whitehouse on 07976 075466 or email Karen.whitehouse@nhs.net.

You can directly apply emailing the NHS Standard Application Form to swbh.apprenticeship@nhs.net

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 5 November

I have a few pieces of good news to report this week, which are very welcome.

Firstly, but for a few caveats, I am expecting that we will receive a report from NHSE/I following their recent infection prevention and control (IPC)  inspection that moves our Trust out of the “red” category and into “amber”. This is a significant shift so thank you to everyone who worked hard to ensure that our areas were demonstrably cleaner than during the previous inspection, and thank you to the colleagues who were seen to be correctly following our Trust’s IPC policies to keep colleagues and patients safe. We must not be complacent – I’m sure you would all agree that “amber” is far from where we would want to be, and not yet a rating to be completely proud of. Nevertheless there is solid progress and a great first step on the journey to consistently delivering the fundamentals of care.

Our pop-up vaccination hub, that we run in partnership with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, was successful in winning the Public Health award in the Local Government Council national award scheme. The ceremony was last night and our whole team deserve your wholehearted congratulations. We cannot underestimate the importance of our population being vaccinated against COVID-19. For our communities, with high levels of deprivation, long term health conditions, with significant employment in factory and food production where COVID-19 can spread rapidly, getting the vaccine out to people within their own communities has been vital. Continuing to ensure people are protected will save lives and also protect the NHS this winter. This team can be proud that they have saved many lives this year.

Protecting our communities also means that we all need to do the right thing and ensure we ourselves are protected from flu and COVID-19. We will have more vaccinators out shortly in clinical areas to make it easier for you to get your flu jab whilst at work on a shift but I would urge you not to delay. Just like the message about doing the right thing in terms of cleanliness and infection prevention and control measures, it is important for you to do the right thing in getting vaccinated. Follow the example of AMU sister Keeley Hopcraft as seen in the photo above and pop along to the vaccine hubs at your earliest opportunity.

Lastly, I am happy to report a milestone on the MMUH construction. We now have power directly into the hospital with the lights being switched on overnight. We continue to work closely with Balfour Beatty and are getting ever closer to confirming our opening date. The construction progress continues and many of you are working hard on the work needed to clarify our clinical pathways and the workforce and financial resources required so that we can be truly proud of the improved patient experience when MMUH opens in 2023.

Happy Diwali, to all who celebrate this important festival.

Richard

Join us for Diwali/Bandi Chhor Divas celebrations: 10 November

To celebrate Diwali/Bandi Chhor Divas across the Trust, our Chaplaincy team will be hosting a special celebration on Wednesday 10 November at City Chapel, 1st Floor with the service starting at 10am with snacks from 10.15am – 1.30pm.

Note: There will be strict social distancing and PPE regulations in place and room capacity limits will also be enforced.

For more information please contact City Chapel on ext. 5051.

Job of the week: Macmillan urology oncology clinical nurse specialist, Band 6

An exciting opportunity to be an integral part of the Macmillan urology nursing team has opened.

This is a full time (37.5 hours) 18 month fixed term or secondment (manager’s agreement needed). The team are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 6 Nurse to act as a key worker to patients diagnosed with a urological cancer and to work with an established team to improve cancer pathways of our urology cancer patients.

The successful candidate will use their excellent communication, organisational skills, knowledge and experience of urology cancers, time management and IT skills to help the team meet cancer waiting time targets, leading to better outcomes for our patients.

With the ability to work autonomously, prioritising your own workload within the team, being supported by the senior nursing team. The post holder will work with an established nursing team at Sandwell and City sites, patients in the acute and outpatient setting, with exposure to our tertiary centres.

You must be a first level registered nurse with post registration experience of urology care and have evidenced, relevant continuous professional development. An interest and desire to improve cancer care is fundamental to the clinical nurse specialist role. The successful post holder with work within the multi-disciplinary team, gaining skills in all aspects of cancer care, covering the whole patient journey.

Expression of interests with an up to date CV should be emailed to emmahill2@nhs.net.

Deadline for all applications is Friday 12 November, 5pm.

For more information please call 0121 507 5242 or 0121 507 3381.

Occupational therapy week: Front door occupational therapist

As this week is occupational therapy week, we will be shining a light on the service and the fantastic work they do at SWB.

We recently caught up with Beth Bate, Advanced Occupational Therapist to find more about her role as a ‘front door occupational therapist’.

“For a start I wear red instead of green (almost unheard of in the profession), and my natural habitat is A&E or AMU. The front door occupational therapist has one thing on their mind and that is “how do I help my patient get home?”

“I have been part of the rapid response therapy service (an integrated service of occupational therapists, physios and assistant practitioners) for over 85 per cent of my time at SWB and most of our customers are desperate to get home. They want to be back with their families, creature comforts, routines, and away from the noisy hustle and bustle of a busy emergency department. It is our job to support them to get there. We look at everyone as individuals, no two cases are alike just as no two people are alike. We are all motivated by different things, we all have different priorities and different parts of our day that hold meaning and are essential to maintaining who we are.” 

Now the term “occupation” has proven over time to be problematic. A high percentage of people who haven’t had the pleasure of an up close and personal experience of OT would be forgiven for confusing “occupation” with “job” or “what you do for a living”. However, in the world of OT occupation is so much more than that, occupation is anything and everything that fills your time with something meaningful. This can range from the satisfaction you get from completing a marathon, to how meaningful it is for you to be able to go to the bathroom by yourself, and everything in between. 

 Now if you are sat in A&E with a broken ankle after falling over at home, you might not be thinking about your next marathon, but you probably are thinking about how you are going to get to the toilet, or cook a meal, or get washed and dressed. *Enter the Front Door OT* we are skilled in forming relationships with patients in a matter of minutes and figuring out what is important to them. We talk through your home set up, the rooms you use, how you do day to day activities, we build a picture of what your day looks like and how your new injury might change that. We assess your physical ability as well as your cognition and then help you make a plan to overcome the barriers. This might look like equipment, or support at home, telecare, advice and education or community referrals. We are skilled problem solvers who never shy away from a challenge! 

 The Royal College of Occupational Therapy published some research into the value of OT that found that “occupational therapists on acute medical wards can reduce the length of stay from 9.5 days to 1”. This is what we bring to the table. Front Door OTs are just one of many green trousered teams who have a huge set of skills that can be adapted to all kinds of settings.

• We can assess physical function; getting in and out of bed, on and off chairs, up and down stairs, on and off the sofa, how you walk, how you stand, how you pick things up, how you get out of the car. 
• We can look at how you get dressed, how you make your food, how you get a drink, how you take your meds.
• We can review your attention, your memory, your problem solving, your safety awareness. 
• We can assess your deficits, look at what is reversible and what needs to be compensated for and then make a plan with you to get around these obstacles.
• We can order you equipment from low level handles in your bathroom to super fancy hoists and specialist bathing systems and seating.
• We can support your mental health, and your treatment in inpatient facilities, forensic settings and even prison.
• We can work in schools, and SEN environments, and support those with sensory impairments and learning disabilities. 
• We can assess for wheelchairs, stair lifts, level access showers and ground floor extensions
• We can rehab you after your knee op, your hip op, your broken ankle, your dislocated shoulder, your heart attack, your stroke, your head injury or your fall. 
• We risk assess on your behalf so you don’t have to and we do it with a pair of green trousers (well sometimes anyway!)

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 5 November

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

1.    New: Supplier/Representative visits during COVID-19

As we mentioned in last week’s edition of the COVID-19 bulletin, we have been reviewing our current visiting arrangements at the Trust.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have restricted visitors into our hospitals to protect our patients, the public and each other. Whilst the situation is, clearly, still delicate we are planning to reintroduce visiting in a phased manner which also applies to supplier and representative visits.

 To date we have had very few representative visits and this has been in exceptional circumstances – such as when there has been major equipment failure. We are however aware that there are instances where a visit is needed (i.e. routine maintenance, repair, required training, quality control and compliance), and given that the pandemic will continue for the foreseeable future, we’ve re-addressed how we will do this safely.

You can find full guidelines about supplier/representative visits on Connect.

Reminder: In all areas visiting inpatients is permitted for one person at a time for patients who are at end of life and those with limited mental capacity, one parent/guardian of a child as well as other exceptional circumstances.

2.    New: Warning of high COVID-19 case rates in two Sandwell hotspots

People living and working in the Cradley Heath & Old Hill and Rowley areas of Sandwell are being warned to take extra care due to very high rates of COVID-19. Infection rates in the two wards are significantly higher than the average rate for the whole of Sandwell, with more than 130 residents having tested positive in the past week.

Sandwell’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health Councillor Suzanne Hartwell is calling on people to take extra care, use rapid tests at home twice a week and to be particularly vigilant to infections among young people aged 11 to 16 – where the infection rates are highest.

Councillor Hartwell said: “The case rates in Cradley Heath & Old Hill and Rowley are of definite concern as they are significantly higher than the rest of Sandwell, and to see more than 130 individuals test positive in the past week in just two wards is very concerning. I’m asking people living and working in these areas to take extra care to avoid becoming infected and passing COVID-19 on to others.

“In particular, if anyone has COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and book a test. If we don’t self-isolate when we have symptoms we can put other people’s lives at risk. And, most importantly, if you’re not already vaccinated then please book your appointments now.” 

3.   Updated: Unplanned Admissions IPC Pathway

A new version of the pathway for unplanned admissions has now been approved.

Confirmed changes include where to stream patients while awaiting results and what actions must be undertaken if the COVID-19 status of a patient changes. Please can you make sure you replace any printed copies of the old version with this updated version.

You can find the updated guidelines on Connect.

4.     Updated: LAMP keeps lighting the way to everyone’s safety

You should all be aware that our weekly saliva weekly testing programme is available to all colleagues. This non-invasive test that allows you to get reliable results on COVID-19 via a pain-free process.

Recently we’ve seen a drop in numbers of tests, and it’s a trend that’s been going on for some time now. If you’re back from some annual leave – particularly those back from sharing the half term break with their families – please make sure you get back in the flow and do your weekly test.

Start today!

You can register for LAMP testing and book in to a kit collection slot for the weekly test, which 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. And within 24-48 hours you will get a text message confidentially sent to you alerting you to your results. For a full list of drop off points and for details on how to register, click here.

 A change to your packs

Due to a national shortage, you may notice a change to the saliva specimen tube in your LAMP test kit, the blue topped narrow vial giving way to a differently shaped white topped tube. If you have the new white topped universal tube the amount of saliva required is to the top of the funnel shape in the bottom of the tube. The packaging process for your completed sample remains the same.

This week’s LAMP data group breakdown

5.   Reminder: Act now to get protected

It couldn’t be easier to get vaccinated as we are operating walk-in clinics for the COVID booster jab and flu vaccination at various sites across the Trust.

Alan Parry, Security Officer has had both his flu jab and COVID booster to protect himself and his loved ones.	Security Officer, Zahid Murtaza had his jabs to protect himself and encourages others to do so. He says the jab is easily accessible at work so colleagues should take the opportunity to protect themselves.

What you need to know

If you would prefer to have your flu and COVID vaccination separately, you can split your jabs by booking two separate appointments. You can also let us know when you attend a walk-in clinic.

COVID-19 boosters will be Pfizer and those eligible include those who have had their second dose (including Pfizer or Astra Zeneca) and have no contraindications to the Pfizer vaccination. Astra Zeneca vaccinations will be offered to those unable to receive Pfizer due to medical reasons.

There must be at least six months (182 days) between your second dose of your COVID-19 jab and your booster.

Note: The Sandwell vaccination hub closed permanently as of Sunday 31 October but pop up clinics will be held on 5, 10 and 24 November in the conference room in the Sandwell Education Centre.

The City vaccination hub will remain open seven days a week where colleagues will be able to receive their flu jab and COVID booster.

A pop-up clinic is also operating at Rowley Regis Hospital, where no appointment is needed. The next pop up at Rowley is due 25 November, with walk ins able to come in to Westwood ward from 9am – 4pm. Colleagues will also be able to get their vaccinations at Tipton from now and throughout December.

Any queries should be directed to louise.brown25@nhs.net or mary.parker8@nhs.net.   

6.   Reminder: Monitoring You At Home (MYAH)

A reminder about a unique project for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients monitored via a virtual ward by our clinicians in the community.

Patients referred to the Monitoring You At Home (MYAH) service via their GP or from within the Trust are given an oximeter to measure their oxygen saturation levels for early signs of hypoxia.

 COVID-19 mainly affects the lungs and causes a viral pneumonia that can lead to low oxygen levels. By measuring the oxygen levels using the oximeter probe that sits on the patient’s finger, clinicians are able to identify early when a patient’s health deteriorates and can recommend corrective measures.

 The programme, rapidly closing in on its first anniversary, is for patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and who are not unwell enough to be admitted to hospital but still need to be monitored with oximetry. Those under MYAH are given instructions on how to record their oxygen saturation and their pulse as well as keeping a check on general symptoms.

You can refer your patients to MYAH via Connect

7.   Reminder: Discharge to assess hub (D2A)

The D2A team conduct daily reviews of patients requiring discharges and also put plans in place for those patients who could potentially be discharged.

The team will help with patients on the following pathways:

·       Pathway 1 = Support to recover at home; able to return home with support from health and/or social care.

·       Pathway 2 =  Rehabilitation or short-term care in a 24-hour bed-based setting.

·       Pathway 3 = Require ongoing 24-hour nursing care, often in a bedded setting.

·       Pathway 4 = End of Life pathway.

All wards are encouraged to use the D2A service for support or queries relating to discharge. Usual processes are unchanged but responses are swifter so please ensure your patients are prepared for discharge as soon as they are declared medically optimised.

You can contact the team on 07815 647936, from 8am to 5pm, 7 days per week.

8.   Reminder: Product recall – Obisk brand face masks – type IIR

We have recently received a product recall concerning a brand of Obisk type IIR face masks affecting both ear loop and tie back. Only five batch/lot numbers are affected which are listed below and they can be found on the side of the box.

• 101000345
• 101000346
• 101000348
• 101000349
• 101000350

For further details please see Obisk blue tree face mask information sheet.

Please check any stock you may have of these face masks. If you find any of the five affected batch/lot numbers, please ensure you isolate them and call Lisa Southall on ext. 4938.  

9.   Reminder: Support available to help with stress and anxiety

Managing your stress and psychological health at this time is as important as your physical health. That’s why we offer a number of ways in which we can support you when it comes to your health and wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Hubs, which are now available at Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis, are one of our newest ways of offering help with stress and anxiety.

Focusing on ensuring that colleagues have a good day every day, the new hubs aim to help improve mental health, relieve stress, build resilience and restore balance.

Recognising that colleagues need to be able to access services easily, the new hubs are set to provide much needed health and wellbeing for colleagues closer to their work base.

Services in the new wellbeing hubs include:

• Confidential chat – an opportunity for colleagues to offload and talk about anything which is troubling them
• Meditation
• Relaxation POD (massage chair)

The wellbeing hub is completely confidential, all services and treatments are free of charge for colleagues and delivered by trained wellbeing coaches.

The wellbeing hubs are open every week across all the sites listed below between 8am – 4pm:

• Mondays in the Jayne Wright Therapy Room, Trinity House, Sandwell
• Wednesdays in the therapy room Archer, 1^stfloor, Rowley Regis Hospital
• Fridays in the therapy room, City Gym

To book a session contact the wellbeing team on 0121 507 5886 or 0121 507 3854.

Meanwhile, if you are looking at other ways to destress, then way not try a seated acupressure massage session at The Sanctuary, which is available to all colleagues at the Trust.

Reset your mind and body with a chair massage and help:

• Relieve back, neck and shoulder pain
• Improve your mood
• Reduce your stress and anxiety
• Lift your energy
• Increase your circulation

Note: A full consultation is completed with a therapist prior to the session and the massage is carried out safely over your own clothing. Social distancing measures are in place and PPE and sanitisation is provided on site. 

Available dates:

• Mondays and Tuesdays, between 10am – 3.30pm
• Thursdays, 10am – 5pm

The Sanctuary is based at the Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY. To book please call 0121 507 5886/3854.

For more information about what health and wellbeing support is on available, please click here.

Managing your migration to Office 365 – Do you know who your leads are?

One of the most important elements of the move to Office 365 is ensuring that colleagues across the Trust know when their share drive areas will move, and when they can expect to be able to make use of all of the benefits that the new system brings.

Whilst as a Trust we have a deadline date for all departments to move to Office 365 by 10 December, the actual date that departments move their files and begin using the new system will be arranged on a local level and led by the departmental migration lead.

If you don’t know who your departmental migration lead is, you can find a list of all of the Trust network shares and who will be leading on organising their move from share drives to Sharepoint here.

• Migration Leads List

Migration leads have the responsibility of agreeing locally their plans to transfer files from share drives over to Sharepoint, and once files are safely transferred over, migration leads can then ensure that their colleagues in that department know to begin using Sharepoint as their data store.

Colleagues should not delete their network share files once they have been moved to Sharepoint. Network shares will be locked by the IT team once migration leads confirm they have successfully migrated their data over. This ensures that we do not risk colleagues accessing out of date information and we are able to retain an archive of the data should there be a need to retrieve documents.

To ensure you are able to migrate smoothly, please ensure you have done the following:

• Please review the list of migration leads, if you find that there is an issue with a listing, please contact swbh.sharepoint.migration@nhs.net, with details of the department and the network share that needs amending.
• Colleagues who would like some support with getting to grips with the new system can access training online here: Office 365 – eLearning Quick Start
• Colleagues should begin organising and transferring their personal documents out of their h drives and in to their new OneDrive share areas. H drive migrations to OneDrive should be carried out by colleagues themselves. Migration leads will not be responsible for this move.

If you would like further support and guidance on migrating files, please contact the IT Servicedesk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050.