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Monthly archives: November 2021

Inpatient eligibility for Ronapreve treatment has now changed

 

Patients who are hospitalised for the management of COVID-19 and hospitalised patients with incidental/nosocomial COVID-19 can receive treatment. There are different doses for each cohort of patients, details can be found in the “nMABs in hospitalised patients” pathway or by clicking here.

Note: Patients in ED and AMU should all be tested for anti-spike (anti-S) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. This can be done as an add-on test.

The treatment has been developed from the results of the RECOVERY trial. nMABs is proven to reduce the potential risk of serious illness and reduces the length of time patients spend in hospital receiving treatment for the management of COVID-19.

All pathways can be found on the Covid Clinical Guidance page.

Join our chief executive in getting your vaccination today!

 

Our chief executive, Richard Beekin is urging all those who haven’t had their COVID booster or flu vaccination to get it now to protect ourselves and our families, our patients and our colleagues.

When and where to get your jabs:

Sandwell: Pop-up clinics for flu jabs are taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout November and December in the main reception area between 9am-5pm. There are also pop up clinics for both flu jabs and COVID boosters taking place in the Berridge Suite on 24 November, 2 and 16 December between 9am – 4pm.

City:  Pop-up clinics for flu jabs are taking place at main entrance to City Hospital from this Friday (19 November) and on Thursdays and Fridays throughout November and December between 9am – 5pm.

The City vaccination hub in Sheldon Block is open seven days a week for flu jabs and COVID boosters between 8am and 6pm for walk-ins. The hub is also open to the public for COVID boosters. The simply book system for staff vaccines has now closed, but you can book in via the national booking system for City hub if you would like an appointment rather than walk-in.

Rowley: A pop up clinic for flu jabs and COVID boosters is taking place at Rowley Regis, Westwood ward on Thursday 25 November between 9am – 4pm.

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

Act now and be prepared for the months ahead. Visit a pop-up clinic to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster. If you have any questions, you can contact the vaccine hub on 0121 507 4404.

Online Grand Round – antimicrobials and sepsis: 25 November

 

We will be hosting an online Grand Round on Thursday 25 October 12.30pm – 1.30pm via Microsoft Teams.

The main topic will be led by Dr Taran Saluja, consultant microbiologist talking about how the rampant misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is threatening to unwind a century of medical progress. Dr Unmol Thandi and Dr  Uzair Ali will also be talking about sepsis at the session.

If you wish to join this event, please click here.

New abuse support service for men launches on International Men’s Day

 

Friday 19 November is International Men’s Day which sees the launch of Ask Marc, a new support service for men in the Black Country affected by interpersonal violence.

Ask Marc will offer men living in the Black Country specialist support around rape and sexual violence, childhood sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation, domestic abuse, stalking, forced marriage and so-called “honour”-based violence. Ask Marc sends out a clear message of hope telling victims you don’t have to deal with it alone: someone is here to listen. Ask Marc will provide confidential practical and emotional support including one to one and telephone support, access to counselling, help to report to police, support at court, and support groups.

The service has been made possible with funding from the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, and was developed by Black Country Women’s Aid in consultation with male survivors of abuse following many years of men accessing the services. Ask Marc will work alongside police, community organisations and local authority partners to help survivors get the help they need.

For more information please call 0121 289 6402 or email info@askmarc.co.uk.

Fraud Awareness Week: NHS travel booking fraud

 

This week as part of Fraud Awareness Week, we’re bringing you some cases from across the country where people have been caught committing fraud.

Jamie Kasebante (28, of Hackney, London) defrauded NHS Improvement (now NHSE&I) of over £30,000, whilst working as an Assistant Project Manager.

Kasebante made fraudulent travel bookings between 15 March 2019 and 3 October 2019, to the total value of £30,018.33. He left his NHS role on 31 March 2019 but retained and abused his access to the travel booking system after he left.

The fraud was first spotted when it was noticed that a flight was booked for two passengers, who could not be identified as NHS employees, Kasebante had made the booking.

When he left his NHS Improvement role, Kasebante failed to return his laptop and mobile phone, keeping them for his personal use and reporting them as stolen.

Kasebante was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months for fraud; and 3 months’ imprisonment for theft, suspended for 18 months. He also received a 15-day rehablitation order and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

All suspicions of fraud or bribery should be reported to the Local Counter Fraud Specialist Sophie Coster (Tel: 07436 268747), Chief Finance Officer Dinah McLannahan; or NHSCFA via 0800 028 40 60.

Notice Fraud November: In this November issue we focus on current fraud trends across the NHS, providing you with some useful insights into current fraud risk areas and details of some recent fraud investigations. Click here to check it out.

 

This week is Anti-bullying Week

 

Unite the Union will be hosting stalls across the Trust to promote Anti-bullying Week on the below dates from 11.30am – 2.30pm . This is great opportunity for colleagues to speak and share their experiences if they wish to do so or to arrange some local support with current workplace issues. There will be a variety of useful resources available as well as limited goodie bags.

  • Thursday 18 November, main reception, Rowley
  • Friday 19 November, main reception (by the lifts), Sandwell

For more information please email Simon.morley1@nhs.net

Have your say on the Smethwick to Birmingham Corridor Framework and Grove Lane Masterplan

 

As you should be aware, there is significant development happening around where Midland Met is being built.  Our new hospital provides a catalyst for growth in the immediate surrounding areas. It also signifies an era of change in what was once the heart of the industrial West Midlands.

It is an exciting project that will bring new opportunities for the people that work within our Trust and live locally. It will also help to breathe life into the area and, importantly, the local communities that we serve.

Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council are working with West Midlands Combined Authority, Homes England, the Canal & River Trust and our organisation to regenerate what is known as the Smethwick to Birmingham corridor.

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital provides an opportunity to revive the area, supporting a healthy community for those who already live here and those who will choose to live, work and visit. It may only be the beginning of this journey, but our flagship hospital will be integral in these plans and see the Grove Lane area redeveloped.

Before any work begins to update and restore the Smethwick to Birmingham corridor or implement the Grove Lane Masterplan, a public consultation is taking place. It started on 18 October and will close at 5pm on 26 November. We actively encourage colleagues that live locally to share their views.

This is how you can get involved:

Fraud Awareness Week: COVID-19 cyber fraudster

 

This week as part of Fraud Awareness Week, we’re bringing you some cases from across the country where people have been caught committing fraud.

A fraudster who used fake digital messages to trick people into providing their bank details to receive a vaccine, was jailed after a successful investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPU), a specialist police unit within the City of London and Metropolitan police.

Teige Gallagher (21, of North London) sent bulk text messages to members of the public, posing to be from a variety of commercial organisations, such as banks, as well as the NHS.

Gallagher used links to direct victims to imitation websites, where he could trick them into providing personal information and bank details, which he claimed were required to obtain a vaccine.

Specialist tools were used by Gallagher to send out bulk SMS messages to mobile phone numbers he had obtained from a data breach.

This type of fraud involved ‘smishing’ (where fraudsters obtain personal details of a victim by SMS text messages) and ‘phishing’ (a method of accessing valuable personal details, such as usernames and passwords.

Gallagher pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and was sentence to four years and three months’ imprisonment.

All suspicions of fraud or bribery should be reported to the Local Counter Fraud Specialist Sophie Coster (Tel: 07436 268747), Chief Finance Officer Dinah McLannahan; or NHSCFA via 0800 028 40 60.

Notice Fraud November: In this November issue we focus on current fraud trends across the NHS, providing you with some useful insights into current fraud risk areas and details of some recent fraud investigations. Click here to check it out.

Stop the Pressure Week – Coroners court virtual training

 

To celebrate International Stop the Pressure Week, coroners court virtual training sessions will be held on the below dates from 1.30pm – 2.30pm. The sessions will cover an array of topics aimed at all clinical colleagues.

  • Thursday 18 November – record keeping
  • Friday 19 November – consequences of poor documentation

To register for any of the training sessions please click here.

For further information please see coroners court information sheet.

 

Raising awareness of alcohol abuse

 

This week is Alcohol Awareness Week which is an initiative that aims to drive and encourage open conversation about alcohol and consumption as well as ​signpost those who need help to the support they need​.

As part of the awareness week, our alcohol care team will be hosting stalls across the Trust on the following dates:

  • City main reception, Thursday 18 November, 11am – 3pm
  • Rowley main reception, Friday 19 November, 11am – 2pm

JD gyms will also be on site alongside the alcohol team offering discounted membership to colleagues. Click here for further details.

For more information please email carol.appleyard@nhs.net.

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