Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 6 November

November 6, 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.

As we enter our first weekend of second lockdown restrictions, we must ensure we look after ourselves and others within our community. Make sure you keep in touch with those you love and your neighbours. People may well be feeling anxious, lonely and scared at this time. Thank you for looking out for one another.

Summary of key points

  • Updated guidance on shielding 
  • Admissions Infection Prevention Control Pathways 
  • New face mask posters 
  • Don’t delay, get FIT tested today! Note change of Sandwell clinics
  • Main spine engineering works at City site this weekend

1. Updated guidance on shielding

We have updated our process on what to do in the event of receiving a shielding letter. Please see the flowchart here detailing the options for employees identified as being Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) and in receipt of a Formal Shielding Notification Letter from your GP, specialist clinician or Department of Health and Social Care.

2. Admissions Infection Prevention Control Pathways 

We have updated the infection prevention and control pathways for both planned and unplanned admissions. The pathway for unplanned states that all acute admission patients must be swabbed in ED even if they are readmissions. If the patient is re-admitted within 28 days use the last swab result on the system along with clinical presentation to decide the stream for the patient, pending the new swab result.

All patients admitted for elective treatment and on a green low risk ward should be re-swabbed every 5 days.

 

3. New face mask posters 

Colleagues may have noticed new posters going up across the Trust to remind people that face masks are compulsory in both clinical and non-clinical shared areas. If you need copies of the poster for your area please email swb-tr.SWBH-GM-MIorders@nhs.net

4. Don’t delay, get FIT tested today! 

Do you wear the Alpha Solway, or 3M 1863 mask?

If so, due to a change in our stock, it is important you act NOW to get fit tested for a replacement. It is critical that colleagues stay up to date with the availability of masks that they have been fit tested for, so if you wear the Alpha Solway, or 3M 1863 mask please ensure you book into a face mask fit testing clinic as soon as possible. If you need a fit test, for a silicone or disposable FFP3 mask in stock (3m 1863+ or 9330+ mask), these are your options:

  • Non-urgent – please call ext.5050. There is currently a wait time of approximately one week, you will be asked when your next shift is and your appointment will be offered to you on that basis. Please ensure you book in good time, and please attend your appointment – we have too many DNAs!
  • If you need urgent on the day testing, contact the IPC team on 5195 and they will facilitate the earliest possible test for you or your staff member.
  • There are two machines in the bungalow behind City ED. If you have a fit tester in your team, you can book out the machines via the IPC team on 5195 to fit test your teams.
  • Fit testing will be changing at Sandwell effective at 11am on Monday, 9 November. You will now be seen in the Hallam Restaurant in the room to the right as you enter the building. If, however, you have an appointment on Monday from 8am – 10.30am, please report to the physiotherapy department as planned.

Please help us to ensure that a lack of planning does not become someone else’s emergency, by planning ahead as much as possible and ensuring you attend all booked appointments. If you cannot attend the appointment you have been given for your fit testing, please ensure you cancel your appointment in good time.

 

 5. Main spine engineering works at City site this weekend 

Colleagues are advised that works to replace the dryer on the Surgical / Medical Air plant serving the Main Acute Spine will take place this Saturday, 7 November. The plant provides medical air for Critical Care, Windmill Theatres (and SA7) and all wards located along the main spine corridor. The work will involve isolation of the plant for approximately 6 hours, from 8.00am, during which time medical air for the main spine will be provided by the Maternity medical air plant, with no interruption of supply planned. Critical Care and D16 medical air supply also have a dedicated Medical Air Emergency Service Manifold (ESM) with 120,000litres capacity which will automatically cut in in the unlikely event of failure of supply.

For more information please call the estates helpdesk on 0121 507 4444 or contact Stephen Kingscott, Estates Operational Manager (Mechanical Services) on 07870 504414.