Monthly archives: July 2022

Heartbeat: Wave goodbye to… Siten Roy

This month we say au revoir to a colleague who leaves SWB after 20 years and has been the only paediatrics orthopaedic surgeon in the Trust since 2008!

Siten Roy, qualified as an orthopaedic surgeon in India and worked in Oman for a few years before moving to the UK in 1996. On arrival in the UK, he was a shoulder fellow in Stanmore before joining a training rotation in Manchester and Leeds.

He told Heartbeat: “I also did my knee fellowship in Droitwich and then worked in Dudley for two years before joining Sandwell as a consultant in 2002. I was drawn to Sandwell because of diversity, team working and the excellent opportunities to develop.”

Initially, Siten did all types of electives and trauma surgery, but later specialised in hip, knee and paediatrics before taking on managerial positions.

Reflecting on his journey into management Siten added: “In 2008 I had the opportunity to work with GPs to streamline the referral system and in 2012, I was delighted to be appointed clinical director of T&O.

“Doing my master’s in healthcare leadership was one of the best decisions of my leadership career though very challenging too due to the time commitment. On completion I was able to join the West Midlands Leadership Board on which I served for five years from 2015. At that time, I had taken on the role of clinical director in theatres and eventually became group director in 2018.”

Siten says the last 20 years have been truly fulfilling for him and he has overseen many changes.

“One major change is the participation of clinicians in management and leadership,” he said. “Nowadays junior doctors are very focussed, informed and involved in leading the changes. I have also seen a growing sense of openness, equality and transparency.

“It is good to see a huge push towards education, training and research. Leadership development opportunities have also increased, though I think this will need even more focus now.

“In some ways the pandemic has brought colleagues closer, created some real options to change the system and has brought staff wellbeing to everyone’s attention.”

Siten has enjoyed working with junior doctors, instigating changes in the leadership training at junior level, mentoring colleagues into management roles, participating in advanced clinical practitioner development within paediatrics and interacting with the Board.

He said: “The most satisfying and enjoyable part has been working with colleagues from every clinical area. My last four years as group director were both exceptionally busy and challenging, but also hugely rewarding; and probably the best part of my leadership career. This is one area I will miss the most in coming years.”

Commenting on Siten’s influence on the Trust, David Carruthers, Chief Medical Officer said: “Siten has made a fantastic contribution to the Trust over the years he has worked here both as an orthopaedic surgeon, with special interest and expertise in paediatric surgery, and then as a leader within the surgery group. He brings a calm and considered approach to the developments and challenges that are faced within the group, and it has been my pleasure to work with him over the last five years. He retires leaving the group in a strong position, ready for the service to develop further in preparation for the move to MMUH and system working within the Black Country. “

We asked Siten what he plans to do with his newfound free time.

He told us: “I will carry on with my paediatrics clinical practice for at least a year. I will also continue to do my management work for another few months, until my successor is in place.

“I hope to find more time to give back to my community and my garden may also see more of me now! Now there are less restrictions, travelling is also on the cards.

“I would like to thank all my orthopaedics colleagues, management teams and the execs for their constant support, wise advice and encouragement throughout these 20 years. I wish everybody the best.”

We wish you the best too Siten. Good luck for the future!

Living with COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 7 July

1. Rise of COVID-19 cases sees masks returning to all clinical areas from Friday 8 July

Due to a rise in cases of COVID-19 within the community, in our hospitals and among our workforce, we must now move to reintroduce fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) as a minimum level of PPE in all clinical areas from Friday 8 July.

This applies to all staff, visitors and patients who are able to tolerate mask wearing across our clinical buildings and has been put in place to keep our patients, visitors and colleagues safe and to reduce the risk of transmission.

FRSMs must be worn in all clinical areas including:

• All inpatient wards – acute and community.
• All outpatient areas
• Emergency Department
• Theatre
• Imaging departments
• Maternity
• Home visits
• All clinical buildings including at main entrances and public areas

Masks and hand sanitiser will be available once more on main entrances to hospital buildings.

Colleagues are welcome to wear masks in all areas, including non-clinical buildings if they choose to.

2. COVID-19 testing of inpatients scaled up

Our wards and emergency department are at present under extreme pressure. In order to maintain flow within the hospitals and keep patients safe we are moving to the next stage of our IPC risk assessment for testing and streaming patients.

For all colleagues caring for inpatients in acute and community beds, please ensure that you:

• Test all COVID-19 patients and contacts using lateral flow device (LFD) tests on day 4 and day 5.
• Patients can be moved to a non-COVID-19 area after two consecutive negative test results 24 hours apart. If still positive, continue to test until two consecutive negative test results 24 hours apart. The patient can then be moved. At day 10, if still testing positive, please discuss with the IPC team so that a risk assessment can be carried out to ascertain whether to move the patient or not.
• Patients who are symptomatic should be kept in isolation or cohorted until two consecutive negative tests and the symptoms have stopped.

3. Need expert advice on infection control or microbiology?

Colleagues are reminded that if they need advice on managing an infection control risk to contact the Infection Prevention and Control team who are always on hand to support.

The team can be contacted either on ext 5900 or directly on the following numbers:

Clinical advice and support is available from our microbiology team who can be contacted at any time through the main switchboard on 0121 553 1831. Simply ask for the ‘duty microbiologist’ and they will be happy to support. Alternatively if your enquiry is more routine it is possible to ask for less urgent advice via e-mail to swb-tr.SWBH-GM-micromedics@nhs.net.

4. Being cautious keeps us safe

With rising cases of COVID-19, it is clear that we must remain cautious to avoid transmission of COVID-19, in particular to protect vulnerable colleagues and patients. Please ensure that you adopt safe practices and follow our IPC guidance including hand hygiene, PPE and be mindful of social distancing.

Our IPC arrangements continue to be reviewed weekly based on community case rates, hospital outbreaks, inpatient numbers and staff absence due to COVID-19.

Social distancing:

Please consider, where possible, social distancing measures to keep a minimum of 1 metre between you and those around you.

Face masks:

Colleagues and patients are also required to ensure they wear masks in clinical areas and communal areas in our hospital buildings. Colleagues are reminded to ensure they follow the correct PPE guidance when in direct contact with patients. You must also follow your individual risk assessment for PPE. Occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

If you see someone not wearing a mask where they should be, please respectfully challenge them.

Hand washing:

This is an essential part of infection, prevention and control. All colleagues must wash their hands and or use hand sanitiser frequently and always on entering and exiting clinical areas.

Bare below the elbow:

Please ensure that you are bare below the elbow whilst in clinical areas. This means your sleeves must be rolled up and any wrist jewellery should be removed, prior to entering the area.

Coats and bags:

Outdoor coats should be removed prior to entering a clinical area and should be placed, along with bags in lockers. They should not be taken into the main ward area. Handbags should not to be taken on ward rounds.

Calling the Care Navigation Centre (Formerly Community Contact Centre)

Colleagues are advised that the Community Contact Centre is now merged in to the Care Navigation Centre as part of move to incorporate a single point of access for adult community services.

Whilst there is no plan currently to change referral processes or contact numbers, colleagues are reminded that they will be presented with the new service name and list of options when dialing through.

Care Navigation Centre Number: 0121 507 2664

Colleagues calling the Care Navigation Centre to access the swabbing line must remember to press option 6 during the opening message, pressing 6 before or after the opening message will mean you are unable to access the swabbing line. This is a hidden option to fast track colleagues to this service and is not listed in call options.

For all other community services once connected press 3 and then the option for the service you require:

Option 1 – District Nurse Message Taking
Option 2 – Foot Health
Option 3 – Physiotherapy
Option 4 – Heart Failure & Respiratory
Option 5 – Integrated Care Services

Should you have any queries please contact sandwell.adminhub@nhs.net

Health and wellbeing event at City: 7 July

The NHS 74^th birthday celebrations continue with a second wellbeing event of the week at City Memorial Gardens today (Thursday 7 July), 11am – 3pm.

The wellbeing services were very popular at the event at Sandwell on Tuesday so don’t miss out! The wellbeing team have a range of offers available to you absolutely free of charge including:

• Seated massage
• Relaxation pods
• Tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes  and samosas
• Ice cream

The NHS Big Tea also returns at City Memorial Gardens so join us for a cake, cuppa, and a biscuit for £1 to raise funds for Your Trust Charity – click here to find out more!

Last year, the funds raised from events such as NHS Big Tea helped us to deliver pop-up wellbeing hubs for our colleagues across our sites, as well as supporting our patients living with and beyond cancer with an incredible volunteer led befriending service. Your support will help us to do even more for our staff, patients and families, and best of all you get to enjoy cake whilst doing so.

We hope you have a lovely day at City while enjoying some of the many wellbeing offerings and cake! Thank you to all the colleagues involved in putting the celebrations together.

And thank you to you too!

SWB celebrates #NHS74 in style

Every year we come together to celebrate the NHS’ birthday, and this year was no different. Yesterday, the NHS turned 74 years young; and we marked the occasion with ice cream vans across the organisation.

Our birthday coincided with the announcement of our opening date of Midland Met in spring 2024, so we used the day to share news about our new flagship hospital with colleagues.

It was big smiles all around yesterday. Whilst enjoying an ice cream in the sunshine, colleagues actively engaged with the Midland Met stands; and used the chance to ask questions about the hospital, their areas, our roadmap and our services, plus lots more.

People enjoyed discovering more about our plans and took away copies of our new Midland Met brochure, roadmap and future service model posters.  If anyone would like copies for their area, please email swbh.mmuh@nhs.net.

Be sure to check out this short video from the SWB NHS Birthday celebrations

Job of the week: Staff Nurse, Community Beds, Band 5

Have you looking to broaden your nursing experience in a different specialty or thinking of doing something different then this might be the opportunity for you? Are you newly qualified or experienced nurse with a passion for working with people in an adult social care or health setting?

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and SWB are working in partnership to provide reablement in a newly built integrated social care and health centre, opening in September 2022. The centre will be an 80 bedded reablement centre based on Harvest Road, Rowley Regis.

We are now recruiting to a variety of roles within both organisations, presenting exciting opportunities to work in a brand new, purpose-built service supporting individuals to regain or maximise their own independence.

The post requires applicants to have relevant clinical post registration experience and you must hold a current Nursing and Midwifery Council Qualification in Adult Nursing. You must be genuinely driven with a desire to make a real difference in people’s lives.

The hours of working in this role are a mixture of early, late and night shifts. These will also include working weekends and bank holidays.

If you feel this is a role you are enthusiastic about and have the right skills please click here to complete a staff nurse transfer/expression of interest form and send to palwinder.grewal@nhs.net

If you wish to understand more about the role before applying, please call Palwinder Grewal directly on 07773628439. Please ensure you have permission from your line manager before applying for this role.

The closing date for applications Wednesday 20 July.

Healthcare support worker survey closes this Friday

Are you a health care support worker who has been at the Trust since December 2020? If so, NHS England and NHS Improvement Midlands want to hear your views about how they can best support you to stay and thrive in your important role.

If you wish to complete this survey please click here.

All results from this survey will remain confidential and no one from where you work will see your completed survey or be able to identify individual responses. This survey closes on Friday 8 July.

Menopause cafe cancelled today

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the menopause cafe scheduled to take place today (6 July) from 12 -1pm has unfortunately been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a future date.

Menopause cafes are an opportunity to gain support and information about menopause in the workplace.  If you are a colleague who wants support and advice about the menopause, or a manager who wants to know how we can support menopausal staff members please drop in and join the session.

There will be menopause champions available to talk to you and offer support. We need to normalise menopause and remove the ‘shame’ that stops us talking about it and make it part of our everyday conversation when discussing wellbeing.

Join in with the sessions using the links below on the following Wednesdays:

• 3 August, 1pm – 2pm – psychological impact of the menopause: https://bit.ly/36lAjG0

For more information on menopause cafes please email amber.markham@nhs.net.

Youth Volunteering Champions – do you know any 16-18 year old’s interested in radio and podcasting?

Do you know of any 16-18 year old’s who are interested in radio, podcasting and other forms of media? If so, as part of the Youth Volunteering Champions project there are currently three spaces available on their four week long media course.

What it involves: The young person would need to complete two hours of training a week for one month at Aston Villa, starting on Thursday 14 July. At the end of the course, they would also be presented with a qualification certificate.

To apply and find out more, please contact our volunteer service on 0121 507 4855 or email swbh.volunteer@nhs.net.

10 per cent discount for local travel available to colleagues

National Express are now offering up to 10 per cent discount on bus fares for Trust colleagues through the ‘National Express NHS Portal.’ Additional discounts are also available to some local rail journeys and the West Midlands Metro service.

To register, visit https://nxbusportal2.co.uk/nhs/ and download the NXBus mTicket App. You will need your employee number to hand which can be found on your payslip in order to verify you are an SWB colleague.

Note: National Express advise colleagues download the NXBus ticket app as depending on their ticket choice, some of the tickets purchased on the portal will be sent directly to the app on their phone meaning colleagues can just show ticket inspectors the ticket on their phone.

In addition to the exclusive 10 per cent discount on bus travel, National Express are also offering one week’s free travel for new starters for local bus local journeys.