COVID-19 Bulletin: Wednesday 29 July
July 29, 2020
This is our weekly bulletin and will be issued every Wednesday. Please use this bulletin and cascade arrangements within care and corporate groups to guide your actions. We are determined to reduce avoidable harm and death in the people we are taking care of. Kindness remains the guiding principle of all the actions in our work to tackle the virus – kindness in how we look after patients, visitors, and one another.
Numbers not statistics: Today’s totals (last week’s data)
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- Revised PPE hub opening hours
The PPE distribution hubs are experiencing reduced activity at the weekends so going forward it is planned that they will not open at weekends unless there is a future identified need. The PPE teams will stock up areas on Fridays to ensure wherever possible weekend need is removed. The rooms will be stocked with PPE and can be accessed out of hours by security or CNPs as required.
The opening hours of the PPE hub rooms at Bryan Knight (Sandwell) and reception area outside the foot health and diabetes outpatients clinic – on the first floor above Arches Café (City) have changed to the following:
- Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm
- Saturday – Sunday, closed
The procurement team will ensure deliveries to all areas are increased to compensate for the reduced opening hours.
Note: Scrubs should be collected from the wards where they are delivered daily. Scrubs are not available from the PPE hubs at either Sandwell or City.
Should you have any queries please contact mike.hanson@nhs.net or dinah.mclannahan@nhs.net.
- Guidance on returning from Spain
The government has advised that British people returning from holidays in Spain and its islands should quarantine on their return for 14 days. Spain is included as an addition to the existing list of countries where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have advised against all non-essential travel.
Line managers should make arrangements to contact team members who are in Spain on their return to arrange work that can be done at home.
We are continuing to review national guidance and will assess over the next few days whether we can bring people back to work sooner following a negative test result.
Before making arrangements to travel please ensure you check the FCO website for the latest guidance. Travelling to a country that is not on the exemption list is likely to affect your travel insurance and is not advised. If you are intending to travel to a country that is not exempt from quarantine you must talk to your manager before you go to make arrangements for you to safely return to your role.
- Visiting restrictions are staying in place – for now
With the easing of lockdown and social distancing measures we are expecting to receive more enquiries about an easing of visiting restrictions, as well as members of the public thinking that the restrictions within our Trust space are likewise reduced.
To be clear for everyone, at this time our present visiting restrictions – those that have been in place for the past several weeks – remain in place and under review whilst we monitor cases in the community.
It is especially important we take stock of what is happening in Smethwick and Sandwell before any decision is made.
Please continue to encourage the use of mobile devices/tablets for families to keep in touch with their loved ones. We recognise the challenges that are faced by colleagues whilst implementing these restrictions and we want to thank everyone for their support in enforcing the current visiting arrangements.
- Have you had your antibody test yet?
Antibody testing is still available for ALL colleagues so make sure you book your appointment now.
It’s a simple test which is to find out whether you have the presence of antibodies and have had the virus. Remember that this does not confirm immunity and the usual infection prevention and control precautions should be taken. The SIREN study is looking at the relevance of antibodies longer term and is specifically for staff members so please sign up by clicking here.
To book an appointment call 0121 507 6104 option 2. We have developed a questions and answers document, for more information please click here.
- Your COVID Recovery – new website to support people with ongoing symptoms on their road to recovery
Evidence shows that a significant proportion of post COVID-19 patients are likely to have significant ongoing health problems, notably breathing difficulties, tiredness and cough, reduced muscle function, reduced ability to undertake physical activity and psychological symptoms such as PTSD and reduced mood status. Your Covid Recovery is a new NHS website designed to help people recover from the long-term effects of COVID-19 and support them to manage their recovery. It includes information from rehabilitation experts about how to manage ongoing symptoms and health needs at home, and signposts to sources of support.
- Are you at risk of diabetes? Sign up to life-changing programme
People in the West Midlands who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes will now be able to sign themselves up online to join their free local Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
This new service has been launched as part of a series of measures in response to COVID-19. Recent findings show that people with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with COVID-19 but better management of the condition can help improve control and lead to better outcomes.
You can find out if you are eligible to join your local programme by completing the Diabetes UK risk tool at https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
Note: Anyone who is identified as at moderate to high risk of Type 2 diabetes using the Diabetes UK risk tool can sign up to the programme online. Anybody who is unable to use the Diabetes UK risk tool to sign up can still be referred by their GP practice.
- Are you looking after your mental health and wellbeing?
The Recharge Booth continues tomorrow
The Recharge Booth is a ‘virtual’ space that allows you to come together with others, to reflect, recharge, decompress, and join a safe and confidential discussion. Hosted by Richard Burnell, it runs every Thursday at 2pm, sharing stories from different colleagues over a 20-30 minute session.
For more information please contact Richard Burnell on 07747 144874, Angharad MacGregor on 07976 322893 or Claire Hubbard on 07866004575. Alternatively if you would like to be part of the Recharge Booth, drop an email to swbh.rechargebooth@nhs.net. A WebEx invite will be sent to your outlook diary, and you will simply need to click on the ‘join’ button to enter.
Thrive by using our new mental wellbeing app
The mental health and wellbeing of colleagues is important and we want to ensure that everyone is able to get help when they need it.
As a result colleagues have exclusive access to the Thrive: Mental Wellbeing app, which is there for the prevention, screening and management of anxiety, depression and stress.
The app tackles common stressors such as sleep, bereavements, work issues and more. It also signposts to external support services – with users able to seek immediate help directly from the app.
To find out more about how Thrive can help you, and how to access it, click here. You can also access the full range of health and wellbeing support on Connect.
- Handwashing is still essential, gloves are not an alternative
Wearing gloves does not prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Regular and effective hand washing is the best way to prevent the virus from spreading.
Colleagues are reminded that gloves are single use and should only be worn when they are needed as part of PPE for a particular procedure or task and should immediately be disposed of following this and hand hygiene performed.
Gloves are not required for procedures where there is a minimal risk of cross infection between patients and staff and include the following:
- Basic care procedures without contact with blood and body fluids (including bathing/washing).
- Making uncontaminated beds/changing or removing patients uncontaminated clothing.
- Taking recordings of blood pressure, temperature, pulse.
Moving patients around the hospital unless a specific infection control risk has been identified.
Social Distancing
To stop the spread of COVID-19 you should be taking steps to practice social distancing. Social distancing significantly reduces the risk of you and those around you contracting COVID-19 simply by leaving 2metres (6ft) between you and those around you.
Whether you work in an office or clinical area, or someone’s home, you should be taking steps to limit close contact with colleagues.
- In communal areas such as coffee shops and restaurants you will see markings on the floor showing the ideal spacing between people.
- Observe the space around you and be mindful of not stepping in to the personal space of others.
- Make good use of the technologies we now have available such as WebEx Teams and Meetings to limit your face to face contact.
- If someone is too close, it’s ok to ask them to give you some space.
- Review your offices to make sure you have adequate space between desks as well as walkways to avoid close contact with your colleagues.
- The Health and Safety Team are available to you if you need some support or guidance on your working practices.
Manage the risk around you, if you feel that the behaviours of those around you are putting you at risk, speak up and notify your manager.