Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

COVID-19 Bulletin: Wednesday 18 November

November 18, 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 find the details have been updated a great deal.

During this second lockdown period, 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.

 

1. New: Self-testing for frontline staff is coming

 

As you may be aware, twice-weekly asymptomatic testing for all patient-facing colleagues will be rolled out across NHS Trusts nationwide –  so that includes our organisation.

This will be introduced next week, with a phased approach, using the new lateral flow antigen test. Carrying out this test will help to identify any asymptomatic Covid positive cases and helps ensure we are playing our part in keeping patients, fellow NHS workers and our families safe.

Each person will be given a total of 25 tests which they should perform prior to their shift every three to four days.

We will be releasing more details about where the testing will be initially rolled out and a guide on how the kit works along with a video over the next few days.

 

2. New: Sandwell PPE stock room now at Cyber Café

 

The PPE stock room at Sandwell Hospital has now moved to the old Cyber Café, which is located in the basement. It is no longer in the Bryan Knight store room.

There is an ample supply so there shouldn’t be any shortages of PPE either during normal working hours, or out of hours. Colleagues wanting to access it out of hours are able to so do via Security and the Clinical Nurse Practitioners.

If wards are concerned that they are running low on their PPE stock, they can request an urgent top-up during office hours via:

 

3. Updated: Swab once, seal tight – get the test right

 

Did you know by packaging a COVID-19 swab incorrectly, it will lead to the sample being rejected? This means a delay in receiving the result for a patient.

Ongoing issues around swabbing include:

  • leaking samples
  • duplication
  • incorrect specimens being received

Our Infection Prevention and Control team has put together a very helpful document which lists common issues and the relevant solutions. Click here to read the full document so you can ensure that if you are packaging swabs, you are doing it correctly.

To read more about swabs there is a “how to” guide here.

 

4. Reminder: Last day for Scrubs amnesty tomorrow

 

Have you been stockpiling scrubs at home or in your locker? If the answer is yes, then now is the time to offload and hand them in, as the clock is ticking on our our scrubs amnesty ending tomorrow.

No questions will be asked, each and every staff member who returns scrubs will earn themselves a delicious chocolate bar by way of encouragement.

Currently we do not have sufficient sets of scrubs to meet the increase in demand as many have been stored and stockpiled by individuals, contrary to Trust policy.

A drop off point is now available in the main reception at Sandwell Hospital, open 10am and 3pm,  where returned scrubs can be deposited and once laundered will return back in to circulation.

The systematic supply and laundering of the scrubs is dependent on staff returning them at the end of their shift pattern, when people take scrubs home or store them in their lockers they remove them from our stock and deplete the numbers available for circulation, putting a strain on supplies and our ability to provide scrubs where they are required.

Please support us by taking scrubs to the drop off point at Sandwell Hospital main reception next week, and earn yourself a tasty treat for your journey home.

No scrubs rules:

  • No scrubs should be stockpiled in lockers – they must be laundered regularly on site
  • No scrubs should be worn in undesignated areas
  • No scrubs should be binned, they should be deposited in to the blue trollies situated on the links and in departmental areas
  • No scrubs should be worn outside the hospital or while travelling to and from hospital or taken home for laundering. By doing so you are putting yourself, your family and the public at risk.

Remember, when the amnesty is over, managers and colleagues alike will be challenging colleagues they see arriving or leaving work in scrubs.

 

5. Reminder: Next COVID-19 staff briefing this Friday

 

We are holding a number of virtual staff briefings for any colleague to attend and find out more about our arrangements for this second wave of the pandemic. The briefing sessions will also include a Q&A session where you can quiz Trust leaders on the COVID-19 plan.

Our second session this week is being held Friday at 10.45am for one hour. To join the briefing go to: https://swbhnhs.webex.com/swbhnhs/onstage/g.php?MTID=e59c590edf4adec548c2b89b43a4dbf2f

Further briefings are planned for 23 and 25 November – more details on these sessions will be soon.

6. Reminder: 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.