COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 5 February

February 5, 2021

1. New: Masks protect you, clean and protect your masks

We have noticed that some colleagues have been walking around in non-clinical areas with their FIT tested masks over the shoulder or around the neck. Granted, you only need to put the FIT tested mask on when you are in direct contact with a patient, however, walking around with the mask on your shoulder or around your neck goes against infection control procedures.

When you are not using your mask you should keep it in the transport box issued to you at the time of your FIT test. This not only protects the mask but also helps prevent cross contamination. If you do not have a transport box please contact the FIT testing team.

If you are only going from ward to ward, then you can carry your mask as long as it is decontaminated properly. We have a couple of guides showing you how to do this:

• 3M Aviva 40 and 3M 7500 masks
• Sundström mask

In general, your FIT tested masks should not be worn around necks or on shoulders for long periods of times outside of clinical areas.

 Are you protecting your mask?

Whilst we talk about cleaning of the masks, you are reminded that you’re responsible for looking after your FIT tested mask. The infection control team have recently seen an increase in the number of calls relating to masks being damaged or parts being lost. While we have a small supply of parts, masks are expensive to replace so it is very important that you look after yours.

2. New: Dr Kainth’s message to Punjabi speaking community about COVID-19

It remains vital to spread the message about the importance of taking up the offer of the COVID-19 vaccine and correct false and misleading information about the vaccine contents. In our latest video Dr Harj Kainth, a doctor in the acute medicine unit at City Hospital, urges Punjabi speakers within the BAME community to get vaccinated when they are invited to. She also discusses some of the common views around the vaccination.

If you know a Punjabi speaker that needs convincing or are part of an online community that is expressing doubt, such as on WhatApp, please share this important message which is up on our YouTube channel. We’ve also collated all our Punjabi videos in a dedicated playlist which you can find here, with collections for other languages also available on the channel.

If you are not already following/subscribed to our main social media accounts, which also includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and of course Twitter please consider doing so and help us spread the word.

Regarding false information on social media

If you come across false information regarding COVID-19 on social media please report it to the social media platform using their report function. If this also directly involves our Trust please immediately bring it to the attention of the Communications Team via swbh.comms@nhs.net.

3. New: REACT-ing to support mental wellbeing

The Trust is training more REACT Practitioners to support the mental wellbeing of colleagues. The training is a half day online course that can be completed using any type of tablet or laptop and it can be done from home. The equipment used does not need to be supplied by the Trust, personal devices are fine.

Here is a link with more information.

The following dates are available with spaces, with training sessions lasting from 9am through to 1:30pm

• February: 12th, 15th, 19th and 26th.
• March: 1st, 5th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 16th and 22nd.

If you would like to become a REACT Practitioner please ask your line manager to email Mandeep.gill11@nhs.net and provide your name, place of work and which course you would prefer to attend. Where courses are full you will be asked for another date.

Staff must be willing and able to provide support to colleagues within the Trust and it is not anticipated that this would take more than a maximum of one hour per week. We especially welcome staff to complete the training from the surgical services group and also any staff who work on wards and areas that have been particularly impacted by COVID. However, all colleagues may request a place.

Please note: This training is externally purchased by the Trust and failure to attend once booked may incur a financial penalty.

 4. Reminder: Be smart on uniforms

 There is light at the end of what has been a very long and very dark tunnel for us all. As we continue our battles there’s a number of day-to-day today factors and processes that we can all do to help reduce risks and continue good healthcare practice. One item of note that has come up recently is that of uniforms.

It’s important we maintain uniform standards, including abiding by infection control protocols such as being bare below the elbows in clinical areas (other than those areas / clinical duties that require full length sleeved gowns).

To directly quote the NHS guidance on the matter: “Effective hygiene and preventing infection transmissions are absolutes in all healthcare settings. Although there is no conclusive evidence that uniforms and workwear play a direct role in spreading infection, the clothes that staff wear should facilitate good care practices and minimise any risk to patients. Uniforms and workwear should not impede effective hand hygiene and should not unintentionally come into contact with patients during direct patient care activities. Similarly, nothing should be worn that could compromise patient or staff safety during care, for example any nails products, rings, earrings other than studs, and necklaces.”

Additionally: The Trust continues to receive concerned messages from the public spotting staff in uniform in public areas, outside clinical environments. You are reminded that you must cover your uniform when you are travelling on public transport and doing other personal activities such as shopping and must not be in scrubs under any circumstances whilst outside work.