COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 3 November

November 3, 2020

To keep up to date with the pace of change we will be sharing a bulletin on a daily basis. There’s a lot of change taking place at the moment so please make sure you catch up with the latest bulletins throughout the week, as even if some points seem familiar you may very well find the details have been updated a great deal.

Summary of key points

• New guidance for pregnant colleagues
• Facemasks to be worn at all times in all Trust buildings
• Lending your support to Critical Care – Join the ICU Reservists Team
• Ensure you have approval before you try to change your approved bed base
• Have you visited the Wellbeing Sanctuary yet?

1. New guidance for pregnant colleagues

New guidance has now been released detailing the risk assessment process that should be followed to ensure the safety of expectant mothers.

Individual risk assessments must be completed for pregnant staff members that considers the individual’s circumstances, underlying health conditions and the risks of their working environment, alongside the latest clinical advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The attached risk assessment flow chart should be followed to ensure that individual COVID-19 risk assessments are completed, taking in to account any concerns or issues identified before and after the 28 week gestation period.

• Pregnant Worker Risk Assessment Flowchart

Further advice may be obtained from the occupational health service ext. 3306.

2. Facemasks to be worn at all times in all Trust buildings

Alongside the need to wear masks in clinical areas, colleagues must now also ensure that they don a fluid resistant surgical face mask before entering any Trust building.

As COVID-19 becomes more prevalent in the community, there is a growing risk that colleagues in clinical and non clinical areas may have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and potentially risk transmitting the virus to colleagues. The need to now wear masks in all areas is one of the steps we are taking to reduce the risk of transmission from asymptomatic colleagues. Please ensure frequent hand washing / hand sanitising.

FAQs:
I work behind a screen, do I need a mask?
Where a Perspex protective screen is in place (e.g. a reception area), staff do not need to wear a mask if they are working in this area alone.

Do I have to wear a SWBH surgical mask; can I not wear my own personalised one?
No, we expect staff to wear those issued by SWBH. We want to ensure they are manufactured to the correct standard.

Can I wear my mask outside of work?
No. You should not wear surgical face masks obtained from work when you are not at work. Staff travelling on public transport should wear their own face covering, in line with the national guidance.

What if I have to walk through the building to get to another area or department?
You should ensure you have a supply of masks for use when you enter the building. You should not walk through corridors and across sites without a mask.

Can a colleague hand a mask to me?
No – you should handle the mask yourself after you have completed the necessary hand hygiene procedure (hand gel). Colleagues should only handle the box/container, not the masks.

Where can I get my masks?
Masks are available from the main entrances to the Trust between the hours of 7am – 7pm. Outside of these hours a supply is available in the your clinical or departmental areas. Department managers can arrange for a supply of masks for their department from the Supplies team at both Sandwell and City Hospital.

Further guidance is available on the following link: Wearing of Face Mask Guidance for Staff

3. Lending your support to Critical Care – Join the ICU Reservists Team

Thank you to everyone who stepped forward and supported colleagues in Critical Care during the first surge in COVID-19 cases earlier in the year. We are continuing to welcome nursing and health care support colleagues from across the organisation in to our newly formed ICU Reservist Team.

We are likely to need to increase the size of our ICU service significantly at short notice to cope with the additional clinical needs. To cope with this, we need people like you to make sure we do it quickly and safely.

If you have previously worked in Intensive or High Dependency care, have other skills that you think you could offer or just a wish to be part of the Intensive Care response to COVID-19 then please register as an ICU Reservist.

Your contribution could vary from occasional Bank shifts to full redeployment for the duration of the pandemic and the team will work with you and your current managers to facilitate that. You will be offered training and support to help you become an essential part of our team.

Click here to complete a short form in regards to joining the ICU Reservists Team

4. Ensure you follow the Trust’s policy for changes of ward bed capacity

Colleagues are reminded that there is a policy in place for formally approving the opening and closing of beds at our Trust and decisions to do so must rigorously follow the set procedures.

During times of peak demand, infection outbreaks, planned maintenance or other reasons it is sometimes necessary to temporarily open additional beds to allow the Trust to continue to treat and care for patients most effectively and safely. Likewise, at times there is a need to reduce capacity to maintain patient safety.

Where there is a need to change the bed base, clinical groups should ensure they escalate the matter through group triumvirate colleagues and seek approval from the Chief Operating Officer.

Full details can be found in the policy for opening and closing beds.

5. Have you visited the Wellbeing Sanctuary yet?

 The mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues is paramount especially during this current pandemic which is why we are inviting colleagues to visit our Wellbeing Sanctuary – a place of calm.

The sanctuary gives colleagues a chance to de-stress and relax in a confidential safe place.

Do you fancy a free:

• Massage
• Chill out downtime over a tea/coffee and a biscuit
• A chat – a listening ear or a chance to talk about anything in confidence
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation hypnotherapy
• Music therapy

The Wellbeing Sanctuary is based at Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY. There is free on site parking.

To book yourself a free session please call 0121 507 5886, or for further details please see the daily sanctuary information sheet.