Monthly archives: November 2023

Unity maintenance: 27 November from 10.30pm overnight to 2.30am

Please be aware an essential Unity maintenance will be taking place on Monday 27 November as a requirement for the forthcoming Unity planned downtime activity. The work is being carried out by our support vendor Cerner and is scheduled to begin at 10.30pm for approximately four hours and should be completed by 2.30am on Tuesday 28 November.

During this time Unity should remain fully available; however, Unity Reporting (PI Explorer)/Business Objects Reporting will be unavailable for up to three hours from 10.30pm.

As part of this activity, the Trust will not have any resilience in place for all Unity services if an unexpected issue were to occur and we go into unplanned Unity downtime. We would therefore recommend that all areas have their business continuity plans and 724 Unity downtime computers on standby during the above time.

The activity will be closely monitored by Cerner and IT support teams and will be supported by desk top alerts which will be issued from 9pm.

As always, should you have any further queries then please do contact the IT Service Desk on ext. 4050 or 0121 507 4050 or via Chat with the IT Service Desk

Immunology results delay

Please note Black Country Pathology Services Immunology are experiencing delays with results for Autoimmunity and Allergy due to analyser down time. Delays are expected for up to  7-10 working days.  If you require an urgent result, please telephone the laboratory on 01902 695279 or email rwh-tr.ImmunologyLab@nhs.net. Thank you for your cooperation.

Vaccination timetable week commencing 27 November

Please see the new vaccination timetable below. If you have any further questions, please contact the vaccination team on 07977 687 586

Sad news regarding a recent death – Lisa Tyler

It’s with great sadness that we acknowledge the sad passing of our much-loved colleague and friend, Lisa Tyler.

Lisa was a dedicated midwife for many years here at the Trust, she joined the Nursing and Midwifery Education Team in 2020 as a clinical education sister. Her role was to help facilitate and support the nursing associate apprenticeship programme.

Lisa quickly became the friendly face of support and encouragement to not only all of the nursing associate apprentices but also to student nurses and the team, as well as other colleagues within the Trust.

Lisa will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by those who knew her, our thoughts and condolences are with her family at this time.

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)- Antimicrobial Resistance And The Environment & Research

WAAW aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – one of the leading risks to human health.

Today’s theme is ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT & RESEARCH

 As part of WAAW we are promoting an “antibiotic amnesty”

Please encourage patients to return unused antibiotics to their pharmacy for safe disposal.

• Environmental contamination from unsafe disposal risks driving up antimicrobial resistance in the environment at large.
• Patients holding on to part courses “just in case” to self-medicate ad hoc drives antimicrobial resistance.

Reduce our carbon footprint by switching IV antimicrobials to oral

• IV antimicrobials have a much larger carbon footprint than oral
  • Production of vial vs tablet/capsules
  • Worldwide transport of heavier product
  • Consumables used (inc. syringes, giving sets, WFI, flushes, etc)
• Around 30% of patients still on IV antibiotics after 72hrs could safely switch to oral.
• Review regularly and consider switching IV to oral in line with new national guidelines

 This is the final day of World Antibiotic Awareness Week.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to our health.

There’s an urgent need to act before it’s too late.

 We must:

• Prevent infections through vaccination and robust infection prevention
• Improve antimicrobials prescribing to reduce unnecessary use
• Optimise use of diagnostic tools
• Properly assess and document allergies
• Protect the environment by using antimicrobials optimally

Be sure to check out the video below:

New BD Nexus Pumps rollout

Medical Engineering are rolling out new BD Nexus pumps (below) to replace the old Alaris pumps. This initiative is aimed at upgrading our technology and enhancing the quality of patient care we provide.

The BD Nexus pumps are equipped with the latest features and functionalities that will help us deliver more efficient and accurate infusion therapy. They come with a user-friendly interface that makes programming and monitoring easier, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient safety.  We will be phasing out the old Alaris pumps over the next few weeks and we will provide support and assistance during the transition period.

When you switch the Nexus pump on, it shows the location it belongs to.  These pumps cannot be swapped with another dept as the settings are relevant to that department.

The Equipment Library Pumps at both sites can be loaned to various departments because the settings on these are standardised (similar to the older pumps).  The new pumps are very similar to the previously BD pumps and the User manual is on the Medical Engineering intranet site.

If you have any questions or concerns about the rollout please contact Medical Engineering on ext: 4070.

Last chance to have your say – Staff Survey closes at 5pm tomorrow

Thank you to colleagues who have taken the time to complete the staff survey, we believe that by taking part in the survey, your views will be heard by not only SWB but by the region, and key decision makers nationally and used to inform policy and improvements around your priorities such as safety, wellbeing, working decisions and pay. By completing this survey once, your voice will be heard by numerous data users.

Staff survey closes tomorrow at 5pm so if you have not completed the survey there is still time for everyone to do their staff survey and did you know you can win £50 worth vouchers for completing it!.

As a result of your feedback in surveys, we developed our SWB People Plan, which sets out how we will deliver on our People objective – to cultivate and sustain happy, productive, and engaged staff.  It is a three-year plan which focuses on staff morale, satisfaction, and wellbeing.  It is not a workforce plan which focuses purely on numbers and recruitment.

Our wish is for SWB to be a workplace in which colleagues can realise a healthy work/life balance, to feel safe and respected and to feel fulfilled. A place where people seek to work, in which they feel a sense of pride and a workplace in which everyone thrives.

Be sure to check out this short video featuring Lesley Writtle, Deputy Chair joined by Poppy Bhachu reflecting about the rest area that was put together for colleagues and how the staff survey helps us see how we are measuring up against the NHS people promise.

Cancer services Christmas raffle

The cancer services team will be running their christmas raffle throughout December in aid of their patients.

Prizes include, 2-1 Multi cooker, luxury double duvet set, luxury tea set, large teddy bear and more!

To purchase a ticket, please visit the Cancer services office, Hallam Building, Sandwell or UGI CNS office on the 5th floor of Sandwell Hosptial or contact the team via ext 2776

Tickets are £1 a strip and the raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 20 December

Near neighbours public meetings: 20 and 30 November

Staff living close to Midland Met invited to attend Near Neighbours meetings to discuss travel, transport and parking

• Thursday 30th November 2023 at 1pm to 2.30pm at CAP Centre, Windmill Lane, Smethwick, B66 3LX

At the meetings, we’ll be discussing travel, transport and parking plans, plus there will also be the opportunity to ask questions.

Reserve your place We look forward to seeing you and also encourage you to share the meetings with your other Midland Met neighbours and ask them to come along too.

To book your place, complete the online form: https://forms.office.com/e/VqnbuBJN4r, email swbh.engagemen@nhs.net or call 0121 507 2671.

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)- Antimicrobials And Untrue/Spurious Allergy

WAAW aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – one of the leading risks to human health.

Today’s theme is ANTIMICROBIALS AND UNTRUE/SPURIOUS ALLERGY

A penicillin (or related beta-lactam) is usually the safest and most effective treatment option. However, around 10% of inpatients have a “penicillin allergy” listed in their clinical notes.

• The vast majority of people with a “penicillin allergy” have not experienced an allergic reaction; often just an adverse reaction such as gastric upset or nausea.
• Many reactions have occurred >10 years ago with details not documented/recalled.
• Spurious allergy labels can prevent patients from receiving optimal treatment.
  • Often more likely to cause adverse drug reactions.
  • Select for resistant organisms such as difficile, VRE and MRSA.
  • Associated with longer hospitals stays and greater costs.

It is imperative that the details of any allergies are fully documented as per NICE guidance (CG183) and reviewed critically when prescribing antimicrobials. Non-immunological reactions should not automatically contraindicate a penicillin or related antibiotic.

Refer patients to Immunology at City Hospital if they:

• Can only be treated by a beta‑lactam antibiotic OR
• Are likely to need beta‑lactam antibiotics frequently in the future

Consider referring if they have suspected allergies to beta‑lactam antibiotics and at least 1 other class of antibiotic.

Special Considerations

Patients with severe hypersensitivity syndromes – like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, serum sickness, acute interstitial nephritis, haemolytic anaemia, and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)—should not use the offending drug in the future.

For more details on penicillin allergy see “Assessment and Management of Penicillin Allergy in Adults and Children” on connect.