COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 11 December
December 11, 2020
1. New: Swabbing update for patients in red areas
We know that the evidence for the duration of viral shedding varies in severely unwell and immunosuppressed individuals, and that this patient group can continue to shed viable virus for longer with a real risk of cross transmission. Hence it is important that we minimise the movement of patients out of red areas unless clinically necessary.
Before moving patients who are persistently or intermittently COVID positive, please discuss plans to move the patient to an amber ward with infection control or microbiology so they can advise on any potential risk. If a patient develops new COVID-19 symptoms after a 90 day period, they should be treated as a re-infection and must be isolated and tested again. If the patient is improving (Afebrile for two days and Improved respiratory symptoms) but unable to go home for other medical or social reasons then they could stay on the red ward.
After 14 days following a positive COVID-19 test, and with complete resolution of symptoms, if the patient needs to be transferred to an amber ward for a longer stay in hospital due to rehab (stroke and neuro pathways) the patient would need two negative swab results 24 hrs apart or one negative lower respiratory sample e.g. sputum, to be considered an acceptable risk to stepdown to an amber ward.
If repeat testing remains positive after 14 days, the patient should routinely be tested after a further seven days if they remain in hospital.
2. New: This Friday, think fit testing
Colleagues who have been using Alpha Solway masks need to take action to get fit tested for replacement masks, as you will know from previous bulletins that stocks of the Solway masks are running low. We have a high level of availability of the very similar Handanhy HY9632 mask which we anticipate will be a suitable replacement. If you have yet to be fit tested for this mask or for the half face silicone respirators that are also in use, please see the fit testing team at City or Sandwell as soon as you are able.
3. New: Sandwell Council COVID-19 grant scheme launched
A total of £1.4 million has been made available to Sandwell Council by the government to help those most affected by COVID-19. The grant is available for families living in Sandwell – to buy food or help pay household energy and water bills – as well as other essentials like warm clothing, toiletries, sanitary products, blankets and sometimes towards other essential household equipment.
Applications for the grant can be made online at www.sandwell.gov.uk/wintergrant or those with no access to internet can call 0121 569 2266 to apply. The grant is available throughout the winter until March and households can apply a maximum of twice during that period.
4. New: A welcome break for colleagues
Many staff will be working over the Christmas period caring for our patients. We know it can be a stressful time so it is important that you take a break. The Trust has expanded the Wellbeing Sanctuary onto both City and Sandwell sites, in a bid to offer more colleagues the opportunity to take a break away from wards and clinical areas. These new spaces are open to all colleagues, and provide a place to chill out, relax, unwind and recharge your batteries from 21 – 24 December and 29 – 31 December from 8am to 4pm week days.
The wellbeing rooms are located at:
- Conference Room at Sandwell Education Centre
- The Dining Room at Post Graduate Centre City
Free refreshments including tea and coffee and individually wrapped biscuits and snacks will be provided. Relaxing background music will be playing to help colleagues switch off, enjoy the moment, and get the most from their break. On using the rooms you’ll be expected to adhere to current IPC rules including social distancing, using hand sanitiser and wearing face masks appropriately.
5. Reminder: A charge on Discharges
We continue as a Trust to manage our inpatient numbers to a high standard, and a big thank you to all those that have been instrumental in that. A good example of that could be seen in our weekly stats in Thursday’s bulletin where our number of discharges has increased in response to the increased number of cases.
It is important we continue to keep up this excellent work, making sure our beds are filled with those that need it and that those that are able to recover from home are able to do so.
As such we offer a reminder that you can find all the latest COVID-19 Clinical Guidance, such as the Discharge from Acute Hospital pathway, within the Coronavirus section on Connect.
6. Reminder: Remember to go with the (lateral) flow
Thank you to all of you who have submitted your lateral flow test results onto Connect so far. Lateral flow tests are designed to 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.
Thousands of frontline colleagues have received the self-testing home kits, however only a relatively small percentage of results have been submitted so far. Recording these results could help to save lives, so it’s really important that each time you use the test your results – positive or negative – are submitted.
You can upload your test results here via Connect, but only when you are on the Trust network.
Please note: Connect has been experiencing some difficulties over the last few days, so please try again later if the site is unavailable.
The initial roll out of self-testing home kits for colleagues has now been completed. If you haven’t yet received a kit and work in a patient-facing area, please speak to your service lead and ask if they have included you in the submission that they have made for additional kits required.
Important information for managers distributing kits:
Please return your completed collected kits proforma to sandwell.adminhub@nhs.net along with the number of additional kits required.
7. See Also: Royal mail: Message to all NHS staff
You may have seen in the news that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been undertaking a three-day festive journey of the UK, visiting care homes, hospitals and those who have gone above and beyond’ during COVID-19 pandemic to pay tribute to their efforts.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also the Royal Patrons of NHS Charities Together, and they sent a personal Christmas card to all NHS staff earlier today. You can read this here