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COVID-19 bulletin: Sunday 22 March

March 22, 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.

1. Guidance for pregnant women

As promised last week we now have new guidance from The Royal College for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists relating to pregnant health care workers that we will be implementing.

  • Women who are in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy (up to 28 weeks) can continue to work in a patient-facing role providing the necessary PPE and infection control practices are followed. Certain working environments such as operating theatres, respiratory wards and intensive care may carry a higher risk of exposure to the virus and we will work with you to move you to areas with lower risk.
  • Pregnant women in their third trimester (over 28 weeks) and those with certain underlying health conditions (such as heart or lung disease) should avoid direct patient contact. In these cases we recommend that you work from home and discuss with your line manager what work you can do remotely.

2. Hotel accommodation available now

Our reserved hotel rooms can be accessed by colleagues to enable you to be away from a household with someone who has symptoms. We strongly recommend that patient-facing colleagues take up this provision so that you can continue providing your vital service to our patients. To access the hotel facilities please email swbh.hotel-booking@nhs.net

3. Guidance on self-isolation for colleagues

Self-isolation when symptomatic

For colleagues who have symptoms of either a persistent cough or a raised temperature the guidance is that you self-isolate for a minimum of 7 days from the date your symptoms started. When self-isolating, notify your line manager and confirm the date of your self-isolation and discuss whether you are able to undertake any work at home. On day 8, if your symptoms have improved, you feel better and you have no fever you are able to return to work.

Isolation when living in a symptomatic household

If you live in a household where one of your household develops symptoms, then all members of the household must self-isolate at home for a period of 14 days. This isolation period starts from the date that the first person in the household began showing symptoms. If you are a patient-facing member of staff we would strongly recommend that you move into one of our hotel rooms.

Staff who have had contact with patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19

If you have been in contact with patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 you can remain at work if you do not have symptoms.  If you become symptomatic at any point, you must self-isolate in line with the guidance.

4. Disruption to Public Transport – Plan your journey

As reported yesterday public transport timetables will be changing from Monday. The timetable updates will be released online as they change. West Midlands Metro services are expected to remain as normal next week but do check for updates in case the situation changes. Details on the amended services can be found at https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/plan-your-journey/network-overview/

We do expect you to be in work so please talk to your manager if you have a problem getting to and from work because of these changes. We may be able to help.

In the event that you have no other means of getting to work please check the information on working from home. There are four things you need to do if you wish to work from home:

  • Talk to your line manager and discuss this with them.  Their agreement is required.
  • Send an email explaining your job role and the decision you and your manager have made to wfh@nhs.net.This will help us know who is away but well.
  • Download the My Connect App (search SWBH MyConnect on the official app stores) onto your phone so you can keep up to date with our guidance and stay in touch with the Trust.

Make sure it is clear on your Trust emails and Trust telephone extension answerphone that you are working from home due to COVID-19.

5. COVID-19: Getting the advice you need

We have two channels by which to get approved guidance to you:

  • This e-bulletin which provides clarity on how we are implementing any recommendations or policies from outside the Trust.
  • A clinician-specific bulletin covering treatment and pathway queries as we begin to understand more about how to tackle COVID-19.

Linked to this second option is an email address specifically for clinical queries about particular patients or diagnoses. Please do not use this for other queries. But you can reach David Carruthers and our medical director’s team via swbh.covid-queries@nhs.net

Occupational health are currently, like infection control, immensely busy. Remember you do not need to ring OH to self-isolate. Your line manager is the person to talk with.

We also have a central HR/workforce queries line to make sure we are applying our policies and evolving advice fairly and consistently: The team is available 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday via 0121 507 3116.

If advice is needed outside of these times, we have a dedicated HR email address for COVID-19 workforce related queries swbh.hr-advice-for-covid-19@nhs.net