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Special COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 28 December

December 28, 2020

  1. New message: Colleagues warned to prepare for more snow

As many of you may have noticed snow has fallen overnight, with more forecast tomorrow, alongside rain and low temperatures.

It is now more important than ever, that colleagues make every effort to attend work as planned as we will continue to run a 24 hour service during this time.

Colleagues who are critical to the service, who think they will not be able to make it in for any shift under their normal transport arrangements, should advise their manager now as we have a limited number of onsite accommodation which we can provide.

Arrangements can be made for 4×4 transport in exceptional circumstances. All requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Staff and/or managers should contact the duty manger to discuss options for securing a taxi (4×4) to come to work.

Colleagues can also refer to their business continuity plans and check that they are prepared to continue services in the event of bad weather conditions. Our Trust’s severe weather plan sets out appropriate preventative action and can be accessed here: Severe weather plan 2020

2. Updated message: Vaccinations will be rolled out tomorrow

Tomorrow we begin our COVID vaccination programme for colleagues, patients, and care home partners.

It will be a phased roll out which will mean the following colleagues receiving the vaccination in the first instance:

  • Those who are at very high or high risk, following the outcome of their COVID risk assessment

And those working in the following areas:

  • ITU
  • Neonatal ITU
  • D15
  • D17
  • Emergency Departments
  • AMU
  • ENT
  • Delivery suite
  • The mortuary

People fitting this criteria should have received an email with the booking details. If you are working in one of these areas and have not been contacted please raise this via your group Tactical representative or line manager.

There are still slots available tomorrow for those matching the above criteria, so they should ensure they call the booking line on ext. 4112 for an appointment. The phone line is open between 8am-8pm today and tomorrow. The vaccination hub is based at the Education Centre, Sandwell.

Given the limited supply of the vaccine, if for whatever reason you are no longer able to attend your appointment, please contact the booking team to cancel and reschedule.

If you have either a first or follow up appointment booked at Walsall Manor Hospital, they will be honouring these so please ensure you attend.

Can you help administer the vaccination?

We also still require the help of volunteer medical staff at ST3 and above to support the vaccination hub.

Volunteers will need to be on site and support with prescribing and enhanced assessment for the rare occasions that this may be required.

Vaccinations will be administered between 12.30pm and 10pm and then from 8am on Wednesday and Thursday. Volunteers are required to do 4-6 hour stints. If you are ST3 or above and are willing to help, please contact your Group Director as below: