COVID-19 bulletin: Monday 16 March
March 16, 2020
The Trust is now publishing a daily bulletin. This will take all guidance and information and tell you which changes we are implementing when and how. Please use this bulletin and daily cascade arrangements within clinical groups to guide local action. Remember KINDNESS is our watchword in implementing these changes.
- All staff survey: Vital information
We are collating information from every colleague on their carer responsibilities including childcare arrangements and whether you have underlying health conditions.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU AND ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES FOLLOW THIS LINK AND COMPLETE THIS SHORT SURVEY – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZKQVTZN
This will enable the Trust to consider alternative support should that be required as well as whether certain colleagues can be redeployed into different roles.
The closing date for completed surveys is 3pm, Wednesday 18 March.
2. Chief Executive meeting for colleagues
Two staff meetings are being arranged led by Toby Lewis for any questions or queries about the pandemic on Wednesday 18 March as follows:
- 10am, Conference Room, Education Centre, Sandwell Hospital
- 12pm, Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Postgraduate Centre, City
Both of these meetings will be recorded so that colleagues who can’t attend can see and hear the discussions and will not last longer than 1 hour.
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning
The Trust approach to PPE has not changed. Colleagues should ensure they use the correct PPE as listed below.
Patients who have tested positive for coronavirus:
- Gloves
- Long sleeve gown
- FFP3/respirator hood
- Face visor
- Hijab wearers will need to cover with disposable theatre hat to ensure full coverage
- All staff required to wear scrubs
- Strict hand hygiene
Patients who are suspected of being positive for coronavirus:
- Gloves
- Plastic apron
- Surgical mask
- Strict hand hygiene
You must ensure that you follow these guidelines for all areas where there are patients who are confirmed positive or suspected positive for coronavirus.
Please ensure that you declutter and tidy up your areas to make them easier to clean.
4. Community response
During this pandemic it is vital to ensure we do what we can to look after our most vulnerable in the community. Community groups, friends and neighbours are actively establishing a community response in many areas including:
- COVID 19 Mutual Aid Group – Bearwood Sandwell
https://www.facebook.com/groups/647032279173318/
- Sandwell – Helping each other during the Coronavirus
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2861466323907055/
- Birmingham Community Solidarity: Coronavirus Response
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3234138479933658/
- The Active Wellbeing Society (AWS)
https://twitter.com/TAWSociety/status/1239217002906091520
- The Birmingham Strong Fund
- NishkamSWAT
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/homeless-charity-pledges-continue-help-17928671
The below postcard (download the postcard by clicking the image below) is being used in many towns and areas so please think about whether you want to use this in your street or get involved in local arrangements near where you live.
5. Leave arrangements
At this moment, the Trust is not cancelling leave of absence but we expect to make decisions regarding this by next Monday. Employees will not be out of pocket on any cancellation expenses in the event we have to change your arrangements.
For guidance on other workforce issues please look at our previously published Frequently Asked Questions. Any requests for equipment to enable home working should be made to martin.sadler1@nhs.net.