Monthly archives: April 2022

Update: Winter bank incentive scheme payments

We are aware of issues raised by colleagues regarding the winter bank incentive scheme payments.  The bank team are working to resolve this matter as soon as they can.

Clarification on qualification for the incentive scheme

• Bank only colleagues who work regularly on the bank were able to qualify for the incentive scheme provided they did 5 additional shifts, a min of 5 shifts of 5 hours or more per shift. Regular hours worked on the bank have been identified by the average hours paid for the 13 weeks prior to 22 December 2021.
• For all substantive staff who worked bank during the qualifying period – for every 5 shifts worked (5 hours or more) 1 incentive payment will be made.
• The incentive will be paid at your normal bank rate – capped at level 6.

All payments will be reviewed and revised and an update will be issued in due course.

Information about the Trust bank is available by clicking here.

COVID-19: Recording absence in ESR

If a colleague tests positive for COVID-19 they should be instructed to follow the return to work guidance.

If colleagues are unable to work from home, their absence must be recorded on ESR.

The section to record absence can be found on ESR using the following path: ESR Self Service > My Team Personal Information > Absence

1. Search and select the correct employee record
2. Select Create Absence

If the related reason is added correctly to ESR, the sickness does not get counted as an episode by HR and the employee’s pay and entitlement to sick leave are not reduced in anyway.

1. Absence Type – Sickness
2. Level 1 Reason – S15 Chest and Respiratory Problems or any other appropriate reason (such as S13 Cold, Flu)
3. Enter the Start Date
4. Scroll down to Related Reason and enter Coronavirus (COVID-19) Do not enter an end date until they have returned to work
5. Click Submit.

The ESR team will be updating and adding information to the comments to provide more detail regarding the reason for absence and will be displayed as Code A, B, C etc. – Please do not delete this information.

Do not record a period of absence if the employee is working from home whilst COVID positive.

Colleagues can read the full information on how to record COVID related absence here.

Works around City car park and Dudley Road: 11 April

From Monday 11 April, there will be a switch in the traffic management set up on Dudley Road with the installation of a central reservation barrier. This means that there will be no right hand turns allowed when exiting the front of City Hospital directly onto Dudley Road. Colleagues wanting to head westbound will need to exit City Hospital onto Western Road and then turn right at the traffic lights.

Colleagues are reminded to plan for delays when travelling to and from City Hospital from Monday 11 April.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 7 April

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

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

1. New:  On the side of caution…

As you no doubt have heard, and as the numbers directly above indicate, we have been seeing an increase in COVID-19 numbers once again.

The Trust is keeping a watchful eye on things to ensure we are able to continue offering safe and effective care, but for now, we ask you to be cautious about your activities once again, for yourself, your patients and for your loved ones.

Think about how you can best protect yourselves and those around you to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 or passing it on.

When taking part in meetings within the Trust

• Remain within the allocated ‘max capacity’ of each meeting area to allow for 1m+ social distancing.
• Colleagues should continue to wear fluid resistant surgical face masks when in a shared space, this includes when meeting with team members and close colleagues.
• One metre social distancing space should be adhered to to ensure colleagues remain safe
• Ensure you complete and report a lateral flow test twice a week before attending work.

As the situation is changing, please make sure you stay up to date by looking out for future COVID-19 bulletins.

2. New:  Trialling allowance for two birthing partners in maternity

We have eased our general visiting restrictions to remove the need for visitors any of our inpatient or maternity areas to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test.

Partners may accompany women to appointments or scans simply by wearing a mask, sanitising their hands. Partners who are symptomatic or have had a household COVID-19 contact in the last 7 days should not attend. Birthing partners are allowed to accompany the mum-to-be whilst in labour. As we continue to ease COVID-19 restrictions, as of today (7 April) the number of birthing partners for women in labour has been increased to two, albeit on a trial basis.

3. Reminder: Rules for visiting wards – what is and isn’t allowed

The following points summarise our rules and are for those wards where visiting is allowed (amber wards only). Visiting red and green departments is only allowed on compassionate grounds (this is where a visit by a carer or family member is central to ensuring that the patient’s fundamental care needs are met). All wards regardless of COVID status should ensure robust systems remain in place to support regular communication between patients and their loved ones.

To visit a patient on an amber inpatient ward:

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. Ward staff should ensure that visitors are given the following information prior to visiting:

• 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 currently not allowed to visit.
• Patients in amber areas should be supported 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. There should be no more than 2 visitors per bay.
• Visitors must use hand sanitiser and wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask on entry to the hospital site and ward.
• All ward areas must ensure adequate supply of PPE for all visitors and recheck they are wearing a mask on entry to the ward and have sanitised their hands.
• Staff should continue to strongly advise patients to wear their masks and ensure a minimum of one metre distancing is in place at all times.
• Bay/ward areas should be well ventilated.
• Weather permitting – visiting can be conducted in the hospital grounds as long as the patient is medically stable and can be kept safe.

Our usual exemptions apply for inpatient children, those at end of life and people who lack mental capacity.

We continue to review visiting arrangements based on a risk assessment taking into account COVID-19 case rates in the community and numbers of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.

For more information see the visiting information here.

4. Reminder: There’s still time to grab a jab

There’s no doubt the vaccination programme has contributed greatly to building a barrier against COVID-19 across the population. Thank you to those who have already received your vaccinations. There is still time to get vaccinated, whether that’s your first, second or booster vaccination. We are also now offering COVID-19 boosters for 5 – 11 year olds, the over-75s and those with a weakened immune system at our vaccinations sites.

There are several pop-up clinics taking place across Sandwell and City over the rest of this week. See the schedule below:

Don’t forget, the vaccination hubs are open daily at City and Tipton and no appointment necessary – you can just drop in.

Here are current opening hours:

5. Reminder: Lateral flow testing twice a week is a trust policy

Thank you to everyone who has been testing regularly, as we have learnt over the last few years of dealing with COVID, testing is absolutely critical to be able to manage infections. We must have a robust programme of testing and reporting to ensure we understand the spread of the virus. Lateral flow testing lets us do this.

All colleagues are required to complete a lateral flow test twice a week before coming in to work.

All completed lateral flow tests must be reported on the Trust Lateral Flow Test reporting form which can be found by clicking here.

Please ensure you only report your test results on the Trust system and not to duplicate your submission on the national reporting system.

 Colleagues are no longer required to confirm a COVID positive lateral flow result with a PCR test.

Lateral flow tests are free to NHS staff. You can order your lateral flow kit by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests. You will be prompted to set up an account using your NHS email address. Once set up please select “Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust” from the list and continue to place your order.

6. Reminder: Are you compliant with your FIT testing? Book in on ESR

Colleagues who are needing to be FIT tested for their face mask can book their testing session on ESR.

1. Log onto ESR and search for ‘fit testing’ under ‘my learning’ and book an appointment to be fit tested
2. FIT testing is a mandatory role specific requirement
3. FIT Testing is held in the Old Security Bungalow, City Hospital

For a step by step booking guide, follow the instructions here: Booking your Fit Test (Word)

Note: If you book an appointment for FIT Testing via ESR you will only become compliant on your mandatory training if you attend the appointment.

If you do not have access to ESR or you are experiencing difficulty, you can call one of the following numbers to see if there is availability on the day.

1. Jack Southall –  07815020836
2. Kristian Burgoyne –  07815020808
3. Scott Shenton – 07866007539

7. Reminder: Keep fit at Sandwell or City gym

As colleagues may be aware, the gym at Sandwell recently reopened. If you wish to use the gym facilities, simply register your interest with the wellbeing team and following an online induction you can commence using the gym, which is on the ground floor in Trinity House. The gym accommodates a maximum of 2 users at any one time and colleagues will be limited to a maximum of 40 minutes each.

At City gym, we’ve created the space you need to work out while keeping a safe distance. The gym has also been rearranged and clearly marked out for you to use safely, so it is easy for everyone to follow. The maximum number of users is 5 at any one time with the maximum gym time usage being 1 hour per visit, to allow other colleagues the opportunity to use the facility.

We’ve placed more hand sanitiser dispensers and wipes around both gyms so it’s easy to regularly clean your hands and equipment during your visit. We ask that you also sanitise your hands before entering the gym to keep yourself and others safe. For ventilation, colleagues will be responsible for opening windows whilst exercising and closing when finished.

Existing members: Your pass will already be activated ready for use.

For new members: Please contact Jatinder Sekhon, by emailing jatinder.sekhon@nhs.net or call 0121 507 3854 to complete your registration. The relevant forms can be found below:

• Gym membership application form
• Gym disclaimers
• Gym induction

Heartbeat: Cultural ambassadors to help tackle discrimination and cultural bias

Last year 14 colleagues were trained as cultural ambassadors for our Trust to identify and challenge discrimination and cultural bias. They use these skills in their role as a neutral observer within disciplinary processes, formal investigations and grievance hearings involving staff from BAME backgrounds.

The role of cultural ambassador involves:

• Sitting as an equal member of investigation teams, disciplinary and grievance hearing panels
• Identifying any issues of unconscious bias, conscious bias, being treated less favourably or discrimination
• Bringing these to the notice of the other members of the team and ensure that they are taken into consideration in the decision making process

Heartbeat caught up with Donna Mighty, Head of Equality Diversity and Inclusion, she told us: “The cultural ambassador programme is open to all colleagues regardless of banding and ethnicity.

“We are delighted 14 colleagues came forward to help us with this important work for our organisation. They are keen to utilise the skills and knowledge they have acquired, working with and supporting colleagues across the Trust in employee relations matters.

“The EDI team will be working with key stakeholders to ensure the role of the cultural ambassadors is clear, understood and embedded successfully within our organisation. This should yield improved Workforce Disability Equality Standard, Workforce Race Equality Standard and staff survey results as we continue on our journey to being more inclusive and compassionate.”

Frieza Mahmood, Chief People Officer added: “I am delighted that the Board has recognised the importance of the evidence based and highly regarded cultural ambassador programme as being key to delivering on the commitments within our new people strategy to create a just and equitable culture in which everyone’s voice, experience and needs are valued. The cultural ambassadors have been through in-depth training delivered by experts to help them to identify and challenge discrimination and cultural bias.

“Research shows that BAME colleagues in the NHS are over-represented in employee relations processes, and as a result more likely to face sanctions. This important role is key to supporting us to tackle bias and discrimination. Please support us by ensuring the cultural ambassadors receive your full support and commitment to help them deliver on these priorities for our Trust. If you have any questions about the role please do not hesitate to contact colleagues in the EDI team who can provide more information.”

Serious hazards of transfusion digital webinar: 4 May

Transfusion associated circulatory overload (TACO) continues to be the leading cause of transfusion related deaths in the UK and TACO reports submitted to serious hazards of transfusion are increasing year on year.

With this is mind, there will be a serious hazards of transfusion digital webinar via the Zoom platform on Wednesday 4 May, 1pm – 2pm where working expert group members will provide an overview of the TACO cases submitted to serious hazards of transfusion. The webinar will also cover key learning points and recommendations for safer patient care and in addition will include some illustrative cases.

To register for this free event, please click here.

For more information please email shot.symposium@nhsbt.nhs.uk.

Star Awards 2022: Partnerships with the Community Award

Do you know an individual or a team (internal or external) who by their hard work, dedication and example, have made a significant difference to patients, public and our population?

Why not nominate them for the Partnerships with the Community Award at this year’s upcoming Star Awards!

Complete the online nomination form by clicking here.

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Nominations close on Friday 3 June.

If you have any questions, please contact the communications team on 0121 507 5303 or email swbh.comms@nhs.net.

Pilot of Non-Invasive Ventilation Alert Team launched today

Nurses on the Respiratory Hub have gained a great deal of experience and knowledge in initiating Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) during the pandemic which as led to the launch today of the pilot of a NIV Alert Team (NAT).

The aims of the NAT pilot will be to primarily to facilitate a fast track response and escalation for a patient who requires NIV (for Type 2 Respiratory failure), transfer to the respiratory hub and initiate NIV, thereby improving compliance to meet the associated British Thoracic Society quality standards.

Respiratory Failure Pathway in ceiling (not for intubation) patients at SWBH -Non Covid

The NAT team are based at City Hospital (Respiratory Hub) and can be reached on bleep 5188 (SpR) and bleep 1035 (NIV alert nurse) or mobile: 07811425877 between the hours of 8am-8pm 7 days a week.

Heartbeat: “Get Involved” membership scheme has launched!

An exciting new membership scheme has officially launched this month which aims to get local people involved with our hospitals.

Get Involved, will allow local people from across Sandwell and West Birmingham to have their say on how the Trust is run and develop its services of the future.

“Membership to the scheme is free and the level of involvement you choose to have is entirely up to the individual,” said Jayne Salter-Scott, Head of Public and Community Engagement.

“From receiving the Trust newsletter three times a year with updates about the hospital and its reconfiguration of services, to attending our members health seminars and joining our young people’s advisory group, we are offering the public a real opportunity to get involved and play an integral role in helping shape the services the Trust offer.”

The Get Involved membership scheme aims to bring patients views together in one place. The scheme will be beneficial in both the short term and the long term as it will bring SWB closer to its local community whilst providing a better understanding of the work the Trust does and how they can be a part of that and ultimately make a real difference.

Jayne added: “The scheme will allow the local community to shape our services and improve the overall patient experience.

“The membership scheme is for everyone whether that be our patients, staff or volunteers as they all make up part of the community and we want everyone’s voices to be heard!”

Want to get involved? Why not speak to a member of the team by calling 0121 507 2671 or emailing swbh.engagement@nhs.net. For further information please click here.

Sandwell reception Costa closure: 11 April

The Sandwell main reception Costa coffee will be closed from Monday 11 April and will not reopen until Monday 25 April due to the unit being refurbished.

The nearest retail outlets are the outpatients department shop which is open from 8.30am – 3.30pm, Monday – Friday and Hallam Restaurant which is open from 7.30am – 6.30pm, Monday – Sunday.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.