COVID-19 Bulletin Saturday 11 April 2020

Remember:

·         If you can relocate to a hotel please make that choice

·         If you have new symptoms get yourself tested and isolate

·         If you get a shielding letter please get in touch with ext. 3116

·         If you feel unwell for other reasons than Covid-19 follow the Trust sickness policy

·         If you need help talk to your line manager, Occupational Health or HR

·         If you are isolating, you should have heard from us to check you’re ok and you certainly will hear from us regularly as your wellbeing matters to all your colleagues

At the end of your isolation period make sure you are in touch with us to plan your return to work.  We can assess whether any additional protections or measures are needed to help you.

We now have sufficient gowns to take us through the next few days, likewise plenty of visors.  And the right masks for the growing number of red areas.  Remember that a surgical face mask and visor are suitable for much of the work done in those areas.

Please make sure you deposit your scrubs with us before you leave the site.  The attached document explains.

The Trust is working through how best to support you with breaks, skin protection and other support.  When our PPE wardens get to work they will also support teams with ‘runner’ work to make sure you do not have to disrobe and re-robe.  We are also considering how best to approach Ramadhan later in April.

If you have not been FIT tested it is really important we get that done:  Call 5050 to book into our service which runs daily and usually extends to 21.00.

3.  Travel to work and car parking

Car parking on our sites is free during the Covid-19 pandemic.  You will not be charged in your April salary for use of the car parks.  And, both Sandwell and Birmingham Councils have now given planning permission for our new multi storey car parks to be built; so after the pandemic we can confirm the timetable over which we will get sufficient spaces!

West Midlands public transport services continue to support NHS staff by providing free services on most bus and tram services across the West Midlands area. Just show your NHS ID to the driver or conductor when getting on board. Free travel is also available for the children of key workers who are travelling to school.

Free shuttle services operate from some of the region’s park and ride sites, or key rail and Metro stations to support hospital staff getting to and from work, with one to City Hospital from the Winson Green Metro Stop. To ensure social distancing each shuttle carries a maximum of two passengers. Shuttles will move between the pickup point and the NHS site regularly during the stated operating hours. From 14 April the City Hospital shuttle will run on-demand and you can call the dedicated telephone number – 0330 053 8149 – to arrange a journey. See here for the up to date information – https://www.wmnetwork.co.uk/campaigns/nhs-travel/

4.  We will beat this virus with science

The Trust is actively enrolling to the Randomised Evaluation trial of Covid-19 therapy; the Recovery Trial.

The trial tests some suggested treatments including Lopinavir-Ritonavir, low dose Dexamethasone, Hydroxychloroquine, and Azithromycin.  Any Covid-19 patient over the age of 18 can be invited to participate.

160 sites across the country are recruiting, and currently 3,507 participants have been involved.  If you wish to know more about the trial protocols or how to get involved contact Derek Connolly, our director of Research and Development, or Gina Dutton, our Head of R&D. More details can be found at recoverytrial.net

5.  Confidentiality matters

Lots of people in our Trust are having swab tests.  It is up to them who they share that information with.  Around a dozen employees are being treated for Covid-19, and the acuity of their ill health varies.  It is inevitable that friends and colleagues will want to know what is going on.  And as healthcare workers we do have access to information.  Please ensure that you only access, act on, or ask for information that you need to know.  Our confidentiality circles for employees apply under Covid-19, as they did before!

You probably know all about our Surge Plan and work on Covid-19.  But here’s a short film reminding you what you are part of…