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COVID-19 Bulletin: Monday 15 February

February 15, 2021

1. New: Helping homeless patients – Safely referring for support

There has been an increase in referrals recently where patients are either positive for coronavirus, suspected of, or are contact patients with exposure to the virus. Due to this we would like to share the following guidance that we must adhere to, in order to safely accommodate homeless patients out of the hospital to reduce the risk of spread to the public.

Our Homeless Team primarily use shared houses and hostels where the risk of spreading the virus between this vulnerable group is extremely high. Housing providers and guidance from Public Health England have stated we are not to refer into shared accommodations without a recent COVID swab to ensure the safety of their residents and reduce the spread. So we would ask that every patient referred to the team has had a COVID swab so we can determine what accommodation they require.

If a patient tests positive then we have to take a different route for accommodation and request a self-isolating property from the local authority council and put provisions in place for delivery of medications ensuring they have enough food/drink for their isolation period.

If a patient tests negative then the Homeless Team can take their usual route for accommodation into shared supported properties/hostels knowing they have done this safely.

The Homeless Team are available Monday – Friday 9-5pm, please contact Helen Taylor Helen.taylor54@nhs.net with any questions.

 2. Update: Getting vaccinated, getting protected

If you are yet to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, you can still book in to get your jab at either Walsall Hospital or at the Black Country Living Museum online. Alternatively colleagues can also book their jab through the Your Health Partnership Primary Care network. However the PCN vaccination hub in the Sheldon Block at City site is not able to accommodate walk ins from colleagues this week, due to an increase in their activity.

To book your jab online use one of the following links:

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust have produced guidance on the vaccination programme which you access by clicking here.

We advise all colleagues to take the time to read the COVID-19 guide for healthcare workers.

3. Reminder: Our biggest enemy now is complacency

It is easy to become complacent with infection and mortality rates declining but complacency is exactly what COVID-19 needs to take hold of our hospitals once again.

Whilst we all want to return to pre-COVID normality, it is also clear that our actions and adherence to rules has an impact on our ability to fight this disease. You are no doubt aware of the evolving situation at home and abroad with Coronavirus outbreaks, and the continued concern within the Sandwell region in particular.  It is vital we continue to abide by social distancing measures, washing and sanitising our hands thoroughly, wearing PPE (and doing so correctly) in the workplace and masks outside of it where required. This protects you, our patients and the public at large.

Studies have shown that nurses and doctors are the most trusted by the public. Please make sure that the message about COVID-19 and the importance of these measures are clear to friends, family and those you know within your communities.

4. Reminder: Waste disposal during COVID-19 – waste streams (clinical, offensive and domestic)  

The Trust is continuing to experience high volumes of waste that has not been segregated correctly and cardboard which has not been broken down. This is having a major impact on collections and disposal of clinical and offensive waste in particular.

Within the orange bags (infectious clinical waste) there is evidence of plastic bottles, packaging and general domestic items going into the incorrect waste stream. Cardboard is being left on the floor of cupboards and not broken down, and is not only causing a health and safety issues but preventing staff accessing the bins to dispose of waste correctly.

Domestic waste including packaging and office waste should not be placed into Orange/tiger bags.

All cardboard boxes should be flattened and either placed into the domestic waste bins or in a cage to await collection.

Waste disposal should always follow the rules of segregation:

  • Healthcare infectious clinical (Orange bag)  this includes COVID waste
  • Offensive (Tiger bag waste) healthcare non-infectious including PPE when not on a Red ward
  • Domestic (Black bag waste and cardboard).

Failure to follow segregation will result in waste not being collected and disposed of correctly.

PPE in offices should go into black bag domestic waste.

Sharps bins should remain in the wards and departments until collected. Under no circumstances should these be placed into the waste cupboards or left outside of wards.

For further details regarding waste segregation, please see waste descriptions information sheet. For more information please contact dawn.hall@nhs.net.