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Monthly archives: December 2021

16 days of action against domestic abuse

 

16 days of action against domestic abuse aims to raise awareness of abuse and sign post people across the borough to vital support services. The decision to make the 16 days between 25 November – 10 December was so that three other major events could be recognised: International Human Rights Defenders Day (29 November), World Aids Day (1 December) and the anniversary of the Montreal École Polytechnique Massacre (6 December). This is so that the connection between human rights and domestic abuse could be highlighted.

Honour based abuse, FGM and forced marriage:

In some communities, bringing ‘dishonour’ on families can lead to emotional and physical abuse, family disownment and in some cases even murder. Everyone in Britain, whatever their religion or belief, has the right to choose whether to get married and who they want to marry.

Support is available by calling the West Midlands helpline on 0800 953 9777.

Be sure to check out Shahina’s story in the video below:

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the UK. It’s also illegal to take a British national or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this. The NHS website has advice and support which can be accessed by clicking here.

Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership also offers information on where to get help and support organisations to identify five signs of FGM which can be accessed by clicking here.

Note: In an emergency you should always call 999.

For more information please email n.reid-lyon@nhs.net or joannetoovey@nhs.net.

Mouth care matters training across City wards: 13 – 17 December

 

SWB are keen to embed mouth care matters across the Trust. This is a crucial part of the fundamental of care work and essential to aid good nutrition and prevent hospital acquired pneumonia.

With this in mind, throughout the week of 13 – 17 December, 10am – 5pm, representatives from Stryker alongside Jody Stubbs, Matron will be visiting all of our wards across City Hospital to support the training and embedding of mouth care matters. This training is aimed at all clinical colleagues, with an emphasis on nursing.

Note: We plan to offer the same training to all wards at Sandwell in January 2022 – when dates and times are confirmed, details will be shared in the daily communications bulletin.

For more information please email jody.stubbs@nhs.net.

If you need to contact Stryker directly, please email martin.clinton@stryker.com or call 07896 649364.

It’s not too late to get your vaccination!

 

As we come together with friends and family throughout the festivities, it’s important to do what we can to help keep each other safe. There’s still time to get your flu vaccination and COVID-19 booster right here at Sandwell and City hospitals.

When and where to get your jabs:

  • City: The City vaccination hub in Sheldon Block is open seven days a week between 8am – 6pm for walk-ins.
  • Sandwell: The next pop up clinic will take place on 16 December at the Berridge Suite between 9am – 4pm.

Note: You can also book a vaccine on the national booking website.

Be sure to also check out this short video of Dr Masood Aga, Clinical Director for Occupational Medicine answering some frequent questions about the flu jab.

COVID-19 update: Omicron variant

 

Colleagues may have seen in the media today that cases of Omicron have been identified in the Midlands, including a single case in Sandwell in the community. No cases have been identified in our inpatient facilities. Colleagues are reminded to ensure that you follow our infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance including the wearing of the correct PPE, our swabbing pathways, regular handwashing and social distancing where possible. Patients who attend with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID-19 result and have travelled to any of the countries where Omicron has been identified within the last 14 days should be isolated.

Case of Avian flu:

Following a case of Avian flu  found in a deceased  goose in a part in the Sandwell borough, we would advise  that you and your  families keep distant from any dead or dying birds in the area. This is to help  prevent transmission of the virus to humans that could further mutate. For any concerns or for more information please contact Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

It’s not too late to get your vaccination!

 

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family from winter viruses so you can enjoy the festive season safely. You need to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster vaccination for maximum protection while spending time with loved ones this festive season.

When and where to get your jabs:

  • City: The City vaccination hub in Sheldon Block is open seven days a week between 8am – 6pm for walk-ins.
  • Sandwell: The next pop up clinic will take place on 16 December at the Berridge Suite between 9am – 4pm.

Note: You can also book a vaccine on the national booking website

Be sure to also check out this short video featuring Dr Rabie A&E Doctor who is seeing many ill patients with COVID-19. Protect yourself and your loved ones – get the jab.

16 days of action against domestic abuse

 

16 days of action against domestic abuse aims to raise awareness of abuse and sign post people across the borough to vital support services. The decision to make the 16 days between 25 November – 10 December was so that three other major events could be recognised: International Human Rights Defenders Day (29 November), World Aids Day (1 December) and the anniversary of the Montreal École Polytechnique Massacre (6 December). This is so that the connection between human rights and domestic abuse could be highlighted.

Domestic abuse against men:

Domestic abuse affects men too with 15 per cent of men aged between 16 – 59 having experienced some form of domestic abuse. Men across the borough can can also get support with domestic abuse by calling 0121 552 6448 or by clicking here.

Domestic abuse against lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender men and women:

One in four lesbian and bisexual women and almost 50 per cent of all gay and bisexual men have experienced at least one incident of domestic abuse from a family member or partner since the age of 16. Eighty per cent of transgender people have also experienced emotional, sexual, or physical abuse from a partner or ex-partner. For support please call 0121 643 0821 or email idva@blgbt.org . Click here for more resources and information.

Note: In an emergency you should always call 999.

For more information please email n.reid-lyon@nhs.net or joannetoovey@nhs.net.

Visiting to wards

 

We are aware that there is some inconsistency in the advice colleagues are giving people who wish to visit inpatients, so would like to be very clear about what our rules are. Please read and understand what visitors are expected to do to ensure they can visit their loved ones safely. Visitors given conflicting advice can understandably get very upset in what is already a situation of high emotion being separated from their friend or family member. Please be kind and ensure you give them the correct information below to allow them to visit safely.

The following points summarise our rules and are for those wards where visiting is allowed. Red and green areas, (D17, D21, D25, L2 and L3) and some community wards where visiting is not allowed due to infection prevention and control measures, should ensure robust systems remain in place to support communication between patients and their loved ones.

To visit a ward:

  • Visitors must prove either photographic evidence of a negative lateral flow test (done the same day they wish to visit) or provide evidence from the government website where they uploaded their results. Their evidence will be checked on entrance to the site, not the ward.
  • If prospective visitors cannot evidence a negative lateral flow test they will not be permitted to visit.
  • Colleagues should be aware that enabling someone to tailgate behind you as you enter the building through a staff only entrance is a breach of IPC rules, and could cause transmission of the virus. Do not hold the door for someone to enter without a staff ID card.
  • The Trust cannot provide lateral flow tests or accommodate visitors who wish to do a lateral flow test on site.
  • Visiting restrictions allow inpatients in amber areas to receive one visitor for up to 30 minutes per day. Patients can nominate two individuals who can visit for the duration of their stay, ideally from the same household.
  • Visitors must use hand sanitiser and wear a face mask on entry.
  • All visits must be booked in advance by telephoning the ward to allow wards to limit the number of visitors on a ward/bay at any one time.
  • All visitors must be free of COVID-19 symptoms, and must not attend if they are a household contact of a COVID-19 positive case. We regret children (under 16 years) or those who are immunocompromised are not allowed to visit at this time.

The current visiting arrangements for paediatrics, maternity and ICU remain in place. Our usual exemptions apply for inpatient children, those at end of life and people who lack mental capacity. We will review visiting arrangements weekly based on a risk assessment taking into account COVID-19 case rates in the community and numbers of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.

ICS December stakeholder newsletter

 

Be sure to check out the December 2021 stakeholder newsletter for the Healthier Futures ICS.

This edition reflects on the NHS ambitions to become a net zero health service by 2040 and features two fantastic examples of where local action is being taken towards a Greener NHS.

Stories this month highlighting the ICS systems response to keeping people safe this winter, along with news of a bumper funding boost to our community and voluntary sector partners.

In addition, it includes details on the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new cancer-detecting blood test starting in Walsall, along with important information about cancer screening promotion.

Have you returned your body worn video camera following the trial period?

 

Throughout the year, a number of clinical areas took part in trialling body worn video cameras. As the trial has now come to an end we ask those involved please return their camera devices. To arrange for the camera to be collected from your ward or area, please email Mark.lee1@nhs.net.

Note: Our security team will still continue to use body worn video cameras.

Thank you to all our clinical colleagues who took part in the trial.

Don’t get caught out – COVID-19 fraudulent PCR test alert

 

We have been informed that fraudsters have circulated posts on social media, purporting to be from the NHS, advising about availability of a newly developed PCR Test that detects the Omicron variant. The post includes a link to order the test. Attempts are being made to remove these posts, a copy of which can be seen below:

If you would like to report any instances of the above information being used in similar fraud attempts please email them to intel@nafn.gov.uk and the details will be forwarded to the relevant teams.

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.

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