Monthly archives: December 2021

Latest edition of Heartbeat is online

Check out the latest edition of Heartbeat online now!

This month we talk about the benefits of both the flu jab and the COVID booster and the importance of getting both vaccinations.

In addition we covered:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Dry January
• Diwali celebrations
• Alison Fletcher, Parkinson’s Disease Community Clinical Nurse Specialist winning the Queen’s Nurse award

You can email lauren.jones104@nhs.net if you have an idea for an article or call us on ext. 5303.

Blood transfusion IT system restored

Following the successful restoration of the blood transfusion IT system and subsequent validation the contingency plan can be rescinded and a return to business as usual is now in place.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Yellow warning of wind and snow for West Midlands and Staffordshire

We are expecting strong winds across the West Midlands tomorrow (Tuesday 7 December) as well as snow in the Staffordshire area.

This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the Trust’s Severe weather plan.

All areas should have business continuity plans agreed with their staff for cold weather, ice and snow. These should include:

• Working with colleagues regarding their ability to report for work if transport systems are affected
• Agreeing working arrangements for severe weather in advance, including potentially the need for staff to stay overnight

Colleagues are expected to make every reasonable effort to attend work (including using public transport when they wouldn’t normally) providing it is safe to do so.

• If not able to reach their normal base, to attend an alternative base if that is easier to reach.
• To work from home (if applicable and agreed with their manager)
• Colleagues unable to attend work or work from home, to notify their managers ASAP and required to either take the day as annual leave or time in lieu (to be agreed locally).
• Colleagues who are able to walk in but are not rostered to work may be asked to support their work area.  This is not mandatory and will be based on mutual agreement and rescheduling of work duties

Please ensure that all staff contact details are up to date and that you have a plan in place so that you are aware of any issues at departmental level.

The PHE cold weather plan can be accessed by clicking here. 

Temporary disruption of critical care outreach team: 6 December

From today (Monday 6 December) there will be a four week planned disruption of the running of the critical care outreach team. The core team will be pulled into support the critical care units during the week (Monday mornings until Friday evening). During this time the bleep will be held by a member of the ICU medical team.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sad passing of Anne McGettigan

It is with great sadness that former colleague, Anne McGettigan has passed away from cancer.

Anne first started at what was then Dudley Road Hospital in the early 80s as a pharmacist for clinical services. She left in 1986 and moved to the Alexandra Hospital Redditch, followed by Selly Oak Hospital. She then came back to SWB in 2007, taking up a post as the anti-microbial pharmacist, and then moved to become the lead pharmacist for surgery.

As the lead pharmacist for surgery she worked closely with the consultants and senior nursing colleagues to establish safe medication working practices. She was an inspirational clinical pharmacist, taking care to support and teach many more junior pharmacists over the years. Anne retired in 2017, partly on ill health grounds however she did remain active in retirement, playing bridge and tennis, learning Italian and Spanish, and starting to learn the piano, amongst other activities.

Her funeral is scheduled for Monday 6 December at St Thomas More Church, Sheldon with her family asking for any donations to be donated to cancer research.

Heartbeat: Much in store for you at Midland Met

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) stands proudly between Sandwell and West Birmingham. Our highly anticipated hospital will offer emergency department, maternity, children’s and adult acute inpatient services to over half a million people.

When it opens in Smethwick, it will signify a change in how we deliver care. It will serve acutely unwell patients that need a hospital stay; or whose care is an emergency. But what will it mean for colleagues that will call Midland Met home? This month we bring you an overview of some of the facilities you can expect to find if you are relocating to work at Midland Met.

For those moving from City Hospital, there is a mile between sites and it’s just over four miles from Sandwell. Colleagues will have access to public transport routes which are under review with the local transport authorities. Plus, the site will be accessible by bike. All bikes can be securely left within our bike store within the car park and is close to the lifts for easy access into the hospital.

The hospital design has greater security, i.e. a reduced number of entrances, CCTV coverage and staff only entrances. There is also a dedicated staff car park entrance under the building and the car park will include electric vehicle charging points. Colleagues will also be able to make their way into the hospital by using the lifts in the car park.

Jayne Dunn, Director of Commissioning & Equipping, remarked: “The improved working environment includes 23 seminar rooms, of which 18 are bookable, including eight rooms set up for MDT purposes.

“There are several multi desk agile admin areas. Home zones will be identified for teams predominately working in MMUH and, there will be some general bookable desks on levels four and five. Each of the agile admin areas will have quiet rooms and, most also have small meeting rooms. Within wards and departments, there will be at least one office and several staff bases. Colleagues will be able to work in the Winter Garden using Wi-Fi, so there’s choice and flexibility in how people can work onsite.

“It’s worth adding that the main admin base for most teams will be in the Sandwell Treatment Centre with the current ward areas on the fourth and fifth floors being converted into multi desk agile admin areas (once MMUH opens), with each clinical group being allocated one of these areas. Each area will have several quiet rooms and small meeting rooms. Trinity House at Sandwell will remain the main admin base for corporate teams. We are also looking at options to create some additional multi desk agile admin areas in our retained estate at City Hospital.”

Speaking of how colleagues can socialise at MMUH, Jayne said: “The non-clinical environment on level five has space to work and get together. The Winter Garden space will be a relaxing area for everyone to use and enjoy – a real community space.

“We will have a restaurant within the Winter Garden on level five, a coffee shop, retail outlets and our spiritual care centre. It will be a great area to sit with a coffee, catch up with colleagues, have small informal meetings or enjoy our 88ft gallery space.

“On a practical level, colleagues will have access to male and female changing facilities and restrooms, with shared facilities for several wards/departments located on each level. Colleague rest areas will have seating and facilities to make hot drinks, a microwave and a fridge. There are some exceptions to this, i.e. in operating theatres, the intensive care unit and ED – where for clinical reasons some of the facilities will be located within the department. Changing rooms will have showers, changing cubicles, toilets and lockers and will be available on each level.”

Rachel Barlow, Director of System Transformation, added: “Midland Met will be a vibrant hospital campus that I am confident colleagues will enjoy. We will also have a brand new learning campus that we have secured £13 million in funding to develop alongside MMUH. It will bring new learning opportunities with The Learning Works and help to train up the next generation of healthcare professionals and allied health professionals.

“It is a significant project that will add value to our wider communities and help them achieve access to education and development that may otherwise have been out of reach for them.”

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.

Coercive control: Coercive or controlling behaviour is an offence. Examples may include isolating someone from friends and family or taking control of their daily life – Click here to find about more about Tina’s tragic story.

Stalking and harassment: This is when one person becomes fixated or obsessed with another and the attention is unwanted.  It’s intrusive and engenders fear. If it’s happening to you or someone you know, visit West Midlands Stalking and Harassment Service for help and support or call 0121 552 6448.

Note: In an emergency you should always call 999.

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

 

Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 3 December

Colleagues

A relatively short piece from me this week, in contrast to my longer musings about the spirit of public service last week.

This week, I am making a call to arms about vaccines. I’ve been reflecting deeply with my exec colleagues about why our COVID vaccine, COVID booster and ‘flu vaccination rates amongst our staff are so low. I have concluded there are three reasons why I am asking all of you to get your vaccines booked and done, as soon as possible:

Firstly, there is the clinical and scientific rationale, which is well rehearsed and all over the news, as it has been now for over a year. The evidence is clear and statistically significant. COVID and influenza vaccines may not stop you from contracting the viruses, but they are more likely to reduce your chances of transmitting it to a loved one or a patient and it is more likely to stop you from experiencing the worst symptoms of each, which can result in acute illness and death. Why would you not get the COVID and ‘flu vaccines, then?

Second, there is the issue of our competitive nature. We know we are the friendliest and best NHS Trust in the Black Country. Yet our vaccination rates of our staff, lag far behind those in Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton. We don’t want to be bottom of this league table, do we? Why would you not get the vaccines, then?

Finally, there is the issue of the national policy on making the COVID vaccine mandatory amongst front line, patient facing NHS staff. Believe me, this IS going to happen and becomes policy with effect from 1^st April 2022. We are awaiting national guidance, but have started the process of identifying those staff members whose vaccination status is not known, so we can consider the support they may need as well as assessing the risks to running a service without them. I’m sure you do not want to worry about the uncertainty of having to move from the role you love and the challenges that will then come when considering redeployment options where they exist. On this basis, why would you not get the vaccine, then?

Why would you not get the vaccines, then?  Please ask yourselves that question.

Have a good week

Richard

Do you need bed, trolley, plinth or hoist repairs?

If beds, trolleys, plinths or hoists develop a defect and or are broken, repairs can be booked on the ENGIE/Equans help desk by calling ext. 4444.

When reporting by phone or via the portal, the type, serial number, location and a description of the problem should be given.

Trolleys, plinths and hoists should remain in situ, wherever possible and the engineer will report to the location to carry out the repair.

Once reported, beds can be collected by the portering team and taken to the bed store to await repair. Under no circumstances should broken beds be left in corridors or link areas.

All items should be cleaned/decontaminated and free from bodily fluids and a sticker attached saying ‘I am clean’ and all linen removed from beds, to allow repairs to be carried out.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 3 December

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

Colleagues who have received COVID-19 1st Vac.	Colleagues who have received COVID-19 2nd Vac.	Colleagues who have received  COVID-19 booster Vac.	Current number of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients	COVID-19 inpatients not vaccinated against COVID-19	Total number of our patients who have died from COVID-19
84.21% (84.05%)	79.80% (79.67%)	35.11% (34.43%)	51 (47)	63.64% (53.19%)	1,369 (1,362)

Note: Percentages may decrease due to changes in the number of inpatients and in the number of staff members (starters and leavers). 

1. New: The Omicron variant

New COVID-19 measures have been announced in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as initially discovered last week in South Africa. These including face coverings in shops and on public transport, self-isolation for contacts of suspected Omicron cases (including for those who are fully-vaccinated) and more.

While there are currently few cases – at least in comparison to other variants – at present, due to how Omicron has mutated there is the potential for it to be particularly dangerous.

Please make sure you are following the guidelines and taking all the precautions we have become so familiar with, including washing your hands thoroughly and social distancing.

You can also help your resistance to Coronavirus in general by getting your booster jab. The festive season has arrived and as we meet with friends and family, it’s important we’re as safe as possible.
Visit the vaccination hub or a pop-up clinic to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster to protect yourself and those around you as soon as possible so we can all enjoy the festivities safely with our loved ones.

For staff that we have no vaccination record for, over the coming weeks you will be contacted to confirm whether you have had your vaccines elsewhere. This is to ensure we have an accurate record of vaccination status for all colleagues.

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.

2. New: Primary vaccinations for immunosuppressed patients

At the current time, The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidelines advise that a third primary dose be offered to individuals aged 12 years and over with certain degrees of immunosuppression after they have completed the first and second recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and before any booster dose.

In some cases those affected may have already been invited for or received a six month booster dose. If so this can take the place of the third primary dose. However, a further booster in six months may still be advisable.

A letter template is already available to clinical teams.

New national guidance is expected on an additional COVID-19 booster (4^th vaccine) for immunosuppressed people who have had their third primary dose. We will share guidance when this is received.

3. Updated: Change to Government guidance when returning from abroad

Earlier this week the Government implemented new rules, which included new rules for PCR tests for travelling to the UK.  If you are entering the UK from a foreign country (apart from Ireland), you have two days to take a PCR test, a lateral flow test will no longer be accepted.  The new guidance stipulates that, while you are waiting for a result, you must self-isolate regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not. You can return to work once you receive a negative test result.

If colleagues have already booked annual leave which does not take into account the new rules above, you will be required to self-isolate until you receive your test results.  The PCR test must be booked before you travel, and bought privately from a government approved list of providers. The PCR test must be undertaken as soon as you return into the UK.

Working from home will be implemented where possible for roles that can accommodate this. If working from home is not possible you must meet with your line manager urgently in order that they can make plans now to try and alter the roster to swap your shifts. Only in circumstances where these two options cannot be accommodated the period will be recorded as (paid) self-isolation until you can return to work.

If you have already booked annual leave and are going aboard you must have an urgent discussion with your line manager to discuss the options outlined above.

If you have not booked holidays abroad as yet, colleagues must take into consideration the new rules above and ensure that they use appropriate annual leave to accommodate the isolation period required upon return.

4. Updated: Ronapreve pathway update

Ronapreve (a neutralising monoclonal antibody therapy) is now available for COVID-19 positive patients that are aged more than 12 years and weigh more than 40kgs. Positive patients could be eligible to receive Ronapreve, irrespective of if they are unwell and receiving treatment or are asymptomatic .

Watch this short video featuring Dr Chizo Agwu, Deputy Medical Director to learn about the new pathway and how your patients can benefit from this treatment:

https://youtu.be/OfdWmLEd-lk

Note: All pathways including the full Neutralising Monoclonal Antibody (nMAB) (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) Ronapreve in Hospitalised Patients guidance  can be found on the COVID Clinical Guidance page.

5. Reminder: Keeping us safe is between you, me and the LAMP post

 With the growing concern about numbers as well as the Omicron variant. We are, of course, reminding you once again of the importance and ease of the LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) test.

Directorate Lead Nurse for Ophthalmology Laura Young spoke recently about how the test helps give peace of mind and protects family and patients alike.

“LAMP testing, for me, is part of the toolkit I use (along with wearing face masks both at work and outside and being vaccinated) to protect everyone around me to ensure we can continue to deliver the care our patients deserve to reduce pain, relieve anxiety and maintain vision to support independence.

“As we move into the season of colds, this test helps to differentiate between a cold and Coronavirus for many of us who would only have mild COVID-19 symptoms (thanks to the impact of the vaccine programme). I continue to be reassured every time I receive my ‘negative’ result by text that I am doing my bit to reduce the spread of this virus and keep my patients, colleagues and family safe.”

The saliva test is a speedy and less invasive way of detecting COVID-19. You can book 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.

You can find drop off points and more information by clicking here.

If you are still unsure how to complete your LAMP test, be sure to check out the step-by-step guide in the video below.

https://youtu.be/QYJDudZXF7w

Even if you are vaccinated it is vital that you register and carry out the weekly tests as they will help identify if you’re asymptomatic. Your saliva sample is ONLY used to test for COVID and is disposed of after testing.

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.

The latest data by group is below:

6. Reminder: Visit the Sanctuary

Would you like to take 30-90 minutes to look after yourself? We very rarely take the time, so why not book now!

Our Wellbeing Sanctuary gives you the chance to de-stress and relax in a confidential safe place.

The sanctuary has a variety of offerings including:

• Massage
• Chill out downtime over a tea/coffee and a biscuit
• A chat – a listening ear to hear anything you want to talk about in confidence
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation hypnotherapy
• Music therapy

[caption id="attachment_342111" align="alignright" width="640"] Dr Michael Blaber is encouraging colleagues to use the Sanctuary[/caption]

Dr Michael Blaber, Wellbeing Lead for Junior Doctors is one colleague who recently attended the Sanctuary:

“The staff were exceptionally friendly, though not at all intrusive. Colleagues were enjoying guided mindfulness and music therapy, learning de-stress techniques and benefiting from skilled listening and clinical supervision. Whether I wanted to offer my ‘expert analysis’ of the football or discuss the difficult situation I had just encountered on the ward, there was freedom to simply unwind… I highly recommend it to you.” 

You can read Dr Blaber’s full article on Connect.

Note: Social distancing measures are in place and PPE and sanitisation is provided on site.

To book please contact the wellbeing team on 0121 507 5886 to book your free session.

The Sanctuary is only a five minute drive away from City Hospital and a 10 minute drive away from Sandwell Hospital (Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY) with free secured parking right outside.

For further details please see daily Sanctuary information sheet.

Additional support, if you need to talk to someone in confidence:

1. • Counsellors: The NHS direct counselling service: 0800 06 96 222 (7am – 11pm, seven days a week).
   • Bereavement support: 0300 303 4434 (8am – 8pm).
   • Trouble sleeping: Click herefor help and guidance.
   • Just need a confidence conversation?  Book a one to one at the wellbeing Sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886.
   • REACT practitioners: Talk to colleagues who have been trained to have a confidential conversation with you near to where you work. Emailwellbeinghub@nhs.net to find out who is your nearest REACT practitioner.
   • SHOUT service: Text SHOUT to 85258 confidential TEXT support.
   • Chaplaincy team: All our chaplaincy team are trained listeners and people who care for you. You can email causer@nhs.net or call either 0121 507 3552/4055 or 07972 572854 to get in touch with the team.