Monthly archives: March 2024
Updated Mental Capacity Act elearning now available
The Mental Capacity Act elearning programme has been updated for all health and care staff who work with people lacking mental capacity.
The resource has been revised and updated in line with recent case law and user feedback; and includes essential revisions to materials about the Liberty Protection Safeguards.
There are 12 sessions in the programme which cover a range of topics including best interests, restraint, adult safeguarding and deprivation of liberty. It is aimed at all health and care professionals who work with people aged 16 and over, who might lack mental capacity to make essential decisions at the time these decisions need making.
Since it was developed in 2019 the programme has been launched 870,000 times and has more than 95,000 active users across the health and social care sectors.
For more information and to access the newly updated elearning, please visit the Mental Capacity Act programme page.
Business continuity incident affecting supply of water to ED, AMU and SDEC at Sandwell
We are currently experiencing a loss of water supply impacting the Emergency Department, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) and Acute Medical Unit (AMU) at Sandwell Hospital.
We have activated our Business Continuity protocols and patient safety remains our utmost priority.
Though the water supply has been affected in certain areas, drinking water is available and provisions have been made to ensure that clinical care can continue without interruption. Additionally, extra handwashing facilities have been put in place to maintain stringent hygiene standards.
All departments affected by the water loss are open and operational. We anticipate resolving this issue later this afternoon, allowing us to return to normal operations swiftly.
Your home and technology benefit is back!
The home and technology benefit scheme is a great way to treat yourself and your family to the latest tech, whilst spreading the cost through a convenient salary exchange arrangement. Choose from hundreds of top-brand products including laptop and desktop computers, iPads, game consoles, TVs, smart watches, kitchen appliances, and more, and spread the cost over 24 months.
By purchasing your tech through this benefit, the payments are taken directly from your salary each month, making it simple and more affordable. Plus, there are no credit checks or deposits and you can make some great savings of up to 10 percent on National Insurance.
To sign up visit at: www.swbhbenefits.co.uk or scan the QR code here.
Order between: Monday 18 March – Sunday 5 May
How does it work?
It is as an alternative way of purchasing home and technology products, minus any credit checks or potentially high-interest charges. By agreeing to exchange a portion of your pre-tax salary, you are effectively reducing your take-home pay, which allows you to make savings of up to 10 percent on your National Insurance contributions.
As your employer provides the benefit, all payments are handled by your payroll team, meaning there are no confusing payment plans to set up. The toughest decision you’ll have to make is deciding which amazing products you want most!
Key features of the benefit
- Access the latest technology from world-leading brands
- Spread the cost with convenient payments through your salary
- Save up to 10 percent on National Insurance
- Extended warranty/insurance included with some products for extra peace of mind
- No credit checks or deposits
- You own the equipment ordered from day one
- Nothing further to pay at the end of the agreement.
When will I receive my order?
Once you have placed your order, it must be approved by your employer. We will then contact you with your delivery date. Your payments should then start on your next payment date.
*National Insurance savings based on basic rate taxpayer.
Greener Nursing and Midwifery Week continues this week
Greener Nursing and Midwifery Week aims to raise awareness of how we can become a more sustainable and greener organisation.
Join us at Hallam Restaurant: We will hosting sustainability stand at Hallam Restaurant today (Wednesday 20 March), 12pm – 1pm for colleagues wanting to find out more about how their small actions can make a big difference in helping us get to net zero.
It’s not easy going green: SWB’s Clare Nash will be a guest speaker at ‘It’s not easy going green’ on Thursday 21 March, 12pm – 1pm – click here to join
Free e-learning module available: ‘Building a Net Zero NHS’ is an e-learning for health module accessed via your ESR login. Go to learner home page and search the course catalogue for “Net Zero ”It is designed to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergency, why it matters our health, and how healthcare contributes to it. Learners will hear how changing their clinical practices can reduce carbon, costs and waste while improving quality of care. It’s free and only takes 30 minutes to complete (great to add to the CV). If you complete the course by Sunday 31 March, you could be eligible for a prize (via a prize draw). Just send a screenshot to francesca.silcocks@nhs.net to show you have completed it.
Join Green Impact in 2024 and create positive changes in your workplace: Are you interested in creating positive changes in your area of work and supporting our Trust in becoming a leading sustainable healthcare provider? If so, why not join our ‘Green Impact’ programme where colleagues work together in teams to complete simple, everyday actions. Click here to find out more
Great Birmingham Run – 10K in aid of Your Trust Charity
The Great Birmingham 10K run is back on Sunday 5 May. If you would like to sign up and raise money for Your Trust Charity, then please see details on the poster.
For further details, click here to visit the Run for Charity event registration page.
For more information please email trustcharity@nhs.net.
Join the next BSOL ICS briefing – Wednesday 20 March
Birmingham and Solihull ICS is hosting its next ICS Briefing, on Wednesday 20 March, from 11.30am to 12.30pm
The virtual briefing will be hosted by David Melbourne, Chief Executive at NHS Birmingham and Solihull, we’ll hear about:
- An update on our system’s financial position.
- The next stage of the Fairer Futures Fund, is our system’s initiative to fund local projects that will contribute to improving outcomes and tackling inequality.
If you wish to attend, please register using the link here – registration link
If you missed the last ICS Briefing or wish to watch the previous month’s you can watch it via YouTube,
If you have any queries or feedback, please contact us via email at communications.bsolicb@nhs.net.
Updated guidance on referral to drug CNS on Unity
Following a Unity change, referrals to the Drug CNS can now be made on Unity via requests and care plans.
For more information please contact Katie, CNS Drug lead on 07977783355, ext. 5074/6143 and bleep 5117 between 8am – 4pm.
Be vigilant of fraudulent emails – even if it’s from someone you know!
There have been recent cases of colleagues receiving fraudulent emails, all colleagues are encouraged to be on the lookout for fraudulent emails reporting to link through to apparent messages left for the recipient. These emails are fraudulent, and should not be opened, responded to or links clicked.
If you believe an email you have received is suspicious, i.e asking you to click a link, or calling from a number you do not recognize, please report all suspicions to NHSCFA by calling 0800 028 40 60. You can also report fraud anonymously on 0800 028 4060 or online.
No Metro service between Wednesbury – Birmingham: 23 March – 9 April
Due to essential engineering works, there will be no Midland Metro service between Wednesbury (including West Bromwich) and Birmingham from Saturday 23 March until Tuesday 9 April.
From Wednesday 10 April, the service will run at a reduced capacity ending at 8pm everyday until Thursday 16 May.
For further information including details around bus replacement services, please click here.
Management of change drop in sessions
As we navigate through management of change, it’s crucial to remember that support is available.
Managing change can be challenging, but with the right resources, we can adapt and thrive.
To support colleagues there are several drop-in sessions available at Sandwell, City and online to help you find the answers to your queries.
These are the upcoming sessions:
Online
- Wednesday, 3 April, 3pm – 4pm – Online – Click here to join the meeting.
In Person
- Monday, 18 March, 5pm – 6pm, Sandwell Midland Met Hub – main reception.
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Tuesday, 19 March, 5pm – 6pm, City Midland Met Hub opposite Arches.
The full schedule of drop in dates can be viewed here.
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