Monthly archives: April 2023

Notice Fraud: Spring 2023

During 2023, fraudsters have been looking to take advantage of us. Here’s what to watch out for:

Changes to supplier payment mandates:

Organisations can use technological solutions to block access to suspicious web domains and email addresses and use payee name checks (where the bank making the payment makes sure the name on the bank account matches what is expected), but we also rely on NHS staff being alert to the types of scam attempts we see.

Attempts often make use of ‘lookalike’ email addresses and domain names which, at first glance, appear to be from the genuine sender but have very subtle differences and are controlled by fraudsters.  These differences include using upper case i’s to look like lower case l’s, or merging two letters to make them appear like the correct address, such as using c and l (cl) to look like a d.  Another easily overlooked change is to add an ‘s’ to make the address plural.

Organisations are reminded to be vigilant, escalate all suspicious requests and challenge all payments where the bank account have been changed recently, or where the registered bank account differs to the Company’s registered country.

Attempts against payroll:

Attempts to change colleague bank account details have also increased this year.  Following the additional technological security implemented on Self-Service ESR, we are now seeing attempts being made which side steps that system.  Fraudsters are concentrating their attempts against those who cannot easily use the system, for example purporting to be a member of staff on maternity leave with no access, or a non-executive who received payment outside the normal systems.  These attempts often originate from non-NHS email addresses, provide excuses why the normal systems cannot be used, and have a sense of urgency.

Click here to see the full Notice Fraud Spring 2023 information sheet in full.

Don’t forget – all suspicions of fraud should be reported to the Local Counter Fraud Specialist Sophie Coster (Tel: 07436 268747), Chief Finance Officer, Dinah McLannahan; or NHSCFA by calling 0800 028 40 60.

Latest edition of Heartbeat now available!

This month, we’re celebrating the innovation we see in various forms across our Trust. Part of this includes sustainability, and you can read more about Rhea Conn’s work as Clinical Sustainability Lead alongside Fran Silcocks, Head of Sustainability, and what they’ve achieved so far this year at SWB on page three.

We’re marking the opening of our new SDEC unit on page 18, helping patients to receive the best care possible in a quick period. On page 20 you can read about maternity’s new ‘interpreters on wheels’, for women who need on-the-spot support to communicate, and learn more about our advanced new defibrillators on page 19.

Click here to read the latest edition of Heartbeat!

Free distance learning courses available through Solihull College and University Centre

Solihull College and University Centre are offering free level 2 distance learning courses.

For further details and including the courses available, please see distance learning information sheet.

Good clinical practice refresher course: 12 May

Research and development are pleased to be able to offer a good clinical practice refresher course on Friday 12 May from 9.30am – 12.30pm, room 15 at the Sandwell Education Centre.

This course is aimed at those with research experience who have already completed the introduction to good clinical practice course.

If you wish to attend please register by Friday 5 May by clicking here.

For more information, please email sarah.potter1@nhs.net.

Opportunity to pay respects to Doreen Murray

Following the unexpected passing of our beloved nursing colleague Doreen Anita Murray her family have requested an opportunity for her friends and colleagues at Sandwell to pay their respects as she makes her final journey.

On Wednesday 3 May at 1.30pm her hearse will pull into Sandwell hospital and stop briefly outside Trinity House to enable all those that want to, to say their final goodbyes.

Doreen worked in the Trust since 1995, specialising in elderly care. In addition, she was integral in supporting our international nurses and was a fantastic cultural ambassador. Throughout her time at SWB, Doreen worked across all directorates before becoming a Practice Development Nurse (PDN) in 2018. Doreen enjoyed the utmost respect from her colleagues, working quietly and effectively with a caring and compassionate approach, and will be hugely missed across all areas of the Trust where she was known.

For colleagues who wish to attend the funeral service it will be held at the Parish Church of Saint Philip, 228 Beeches Road, West Bromwich, B70 6JA from 11am – 1pm.

Joga Singh retirement celebration this Friday

Joga Singh, Sikh Chaplain will be retiring from the Trust having worked faithfully since 2011 in the chaplaincy team.  Many patients have benefited from having Joga around, whether that is in his visiting or emergency call outs in the Trust.

The chaplaincy team will be hosting a retirement celebration for Joga at the Sandwell chapel, 10am – 12.30pm and are inviting all colleagues who wish to come and say goodbye.

NHSSC deliveries during Bank Holiday

We have been notified of changes to the ordering and delivery schedule for NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) items.  Below are details of when orders have to be placed/approved and when deliveries will be made over this period.

Note:If an area currently has a Monday delivery and is materially managed by the procurement team, they will automatically receive their delivery on an alternative day.

If you have any queries concerning the above, please contact any of the materials management team as listed below:

• Debbie Chetwynd (Sandwell) ext. 2823
• Rebecca Vanes (Sandwell) ext. 2689
• Mark Shervington (City) ext. 4937
• Rosie Beswick (City) ext. 4699
• Jackie Graham (City) ext. 4939

Medicine grand round – update on PACES and physicianly assessment: 22 June

We will be hosting a grand round on the topics of practical assessment of clinical examination skills (PACES) and physicianly assessment on Thursday 22 June, 1pm – 2pm, room 10, Sandwell Education Centre. The session is aimed at clinical colleagues and lunch will be available from 12.30pm.

This particular session will include:

• A welcome from Jawad Khan, Consultant Cardiologist
• A topic on what can examiners expect from Farooq Wandroo, Consultant Haematologist
• PACES23: what, why and when presented by Moe Oo, Consultant Geriatrician

For more information please email anthea.guise@nhs.net.

Road closure: Toxicology, City 26-27 April

Due to essential maintenance there will be a road closure at toxicology, City Hospital on Wednesday 26 April and Thursday 27 April. This all means all parking will be suspended outside the department for the both days.

Any colleague who needs to access the toxicology department during this period will need to plan for delays when travelling.

Please see image below for location:

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

welearn Wednesday: Mental capacity principles

Each month as part of welearn Wednesdays we present a new learning pack identified as a key learning topic from local serious incidents, investigations, complaints, litigation, or coroner cases. The learning may not have a direct link to your area of work; however, the learning provides an opportunity to reflect on some of the wider issues that could be useful for you to consider.

This month’s learning comes from incidents and complaints where we have not followed the guidance and law aspects of implementation of the Mental Capacity Act.  The lessons learnt identify that if we apply all the principles in a timely manner, we can ensure timely and considered care that does not breach the law, ensures safe care and better patient and carer experiences.

For more information please see welearn April newsletter.

If you would like to be involved in the welearn user reference group, please email marsha.jones3@nhs.net