Monthly archives: August 2023

Are you interested in joining the women’s network?

To view further details of the network, please see the poster below.

For more information or to register your interest, please contact amber.markham@nhs.net.

welearn Wednesday: Tracheostomies and laryngectomies

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 we are sharing learning from incidents related to the management of neck breathing patients and on the provision of safe and high quality-care for patents with Tracheostomies and Laryngectomies. This month’s newsletter shares some patient stories that has identified the learning and what measures we have put in place for improved care of our throat breathing patients and what more there is to be done through the improvement project.

For more information please see welearn August 2023 newsletter.

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

Back to school – free online parenting courses for parents and carers

As children and young people prepare to return to school, we are sending a reminder of FREE online courses available to everyone in Birmingham to help to support with parenting.

There are 24 different online courses in a variety of languages.  The courses include:

• Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
• Understanding your child with additional needs
• Understanding your child’s mental health and well being
• Understanding your relationships

Just enter the word COMMUNITY in the access code box to get started – Online Learning (heiapply.com)

An opportunity for staff to mentor young people

This year, NHS organisations in Birmingham and Solihull will continue working in partnership with Envision, a UK charity working with young people from less-advantaged backgrounds and partnering them with mentors to tackle social problems affecting their community.

Previously, NHS partners in Birmingham and Solihull supported Envision’s Community Apprentice Programme, providing mentors from across our system, who worked with students aged 16 to 18.

The mentors were:

1. David Jones – NHS Birmingham and Solihull
2. Jameila Waseem – NHS Birmingham and Solihull
3. Paul Williams – University Hospitals Birmingham
4. Kiri Smart – University Hospitals Birmingham
5. Dr Azam Baig – Birmingham Women’s and Children
6. Momina Kassam – Birmingham Community Healthcare
7. Mohib Ullah – Birmingham Community Healthcare
8. Tabassum Mirza – Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust
9. Nita Patel – NHS Birmingham and Solihull
10. Juliet Herbert – NHS Birmingham and Solihull

The ICB’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team will begin recruiting mentors soon, so please look out for further updates. You can learn about last year’s Community Apprentice Programme via a PDF created by the EDI Team. You can also email the EDI Team if you have any questions, and learn more about Envision on their website.

Buzz Stop workshop at Sandwell: 23 August

Spectra, a locally based neurodiverse arts company has recently co-created Buzz Stop, a biodiverse, playful and inclusive garden directly outside Sandwell Hospital’s main entrance. The garden provides a place for rest, reflection and nature connection for staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.

Spectra is hosting a free workshop on Wednesday 23 August, 11am – 3pm to explore nature through lots of sensory activities including sound and music play, clay, creating nature wands and potions.

For more information, please click here.

August Bank Holiday – NHSSC deliveries

We have been advised by NHSSC that there will changes to the delivery schedule due to the August Bank Holiday. Only wards and departments that currently receive a delivery on a Monday will be affected by the change in the schedule.  Materially managed areas that usually receive a delivery on a Monday will automatically receive a delivery on another day. Below is a schedule of when orders need to be placed over the Bank Holiday period.

Note: All materially managed wards and departments that currently receive a delivery from NHS Supply chain on Mondays will receive their delivery on an alternative date automatically.

If you have any queries concerning the above please contact Lisa Southall on ext. 4938.

Revised weekly pay dates for colleagues during summer Bank Holiday

Due to the summer Bank Holidays, some of the weekly pay dates will change during August and September.

Please see summer pay period information sheet for further details.

Complete the Snowdon Challenge and raise funds for Your Trust Charity

Your Trust Charity are inviting colleagues to conquer Mount Snowdon to help raise funds for the charity. At 3,500ft, it’s the highest peak in Britain outside the Scottish Highlands.

Saturday 9 September is the date for the daytime Snowdon challenge and there are only 10 spaces are available. If you wish to join the challenge, you need to book by Friday 25 August.

Your Trust Charity invites you to raise a suggested target of £50 per person (or £200 for a team of four) and will support you to set up your own free JustGiving page. Each participant will need to pay a £110 registration fee to the charity’s event organiser, which includes return coach travel from Birmingham.

For more information on how to book your place, please email trustcharity@nhs.net with the subject ‘Snowdon Challenge’.

Met Office Yellow Rain Warning Issued

Colleagues are advised that the Met Office has now issued a yellow warning of rain, heavy and persistent at times, bringing the risk of disruption to transport and infrastructure for regions including the West Midlands, until 21:00 on Monday 14 August.

• There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
• There is a small chance that some communities will be temporarily cut off by flooded roads
• Spray and flooding is likely to lead to some difficult driving conditions and road closures
• Where flooding occurs, there is a chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
• There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

You can find further information in the Trust Severe Weather Policy.

Diabetes in pregnancy conference: 14 November

Diabetes UK’s 12^th Diabetes in pregnancy conference is taking place virtually on Tuesday 14 November and is free for all colleagues to attend.

To register and find out more, please click here.