COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 4 June

June 4, 2021

Number not statistics: This week (last week)

New: COVID-19 antibody research study looking for colleagues to take part

A new research study – COPE-WM The contribution of occupational exposures to risk of COVID-19 and approaches to control among healthcare workers – is underway at the Trust, supported by our R&D team. Principal investigator Dr Masood Aga and lead nurse Irene Echaveznaguicnic are keen to invite colleagues to find out how to participate by clicking this link: www.birmingham.ac.uk/COPE-study. Recruitment is underway and will end on 31 July.

Participation will involve colleagues being given a home antibody test kit to test for previous COVID-19 infection, and the results will help to find out how best to maximise safety for all staff. There is even an opportunity to win an iPad or £200 prize draw. To take part you will need to complete a questionnaire at the start of the study (online or on paper) and a follow up questionnaire after 4 months. You will also have to do a finger-prick dried blood spot test which will be used to check for COVID-19 antibodies. The test will be mailed to your house.

To be eligible to take part you need to have had a test (PCR or lateral flow) for COVID-19 or relevant symptoms in March/April last year when testing was not available. The research aims to find out why workers in healthcare settings are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 and how best to maximise safety for all staff. To take part: https://is.gd/copewmret  Or contact the COPE-WM team by emailing cope-wm@contacts.bham.ac.uk or calling 0121 414 3151.

New: Get in the loop with COVID-19 weekly LAMP testing

The COVID-19 weekly saliva testing programme (LAMP – Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) is now well established across our organisation. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to register and continue with the testing programme.

This reliable test is an easy way to help us all ensure we are remaining safe, and, most importantly, keeping our colleagues and Trust as COVID secure as we can. Detecting positive cases sooner reduces the risk of the virus being passed on to patients, colleagues, family members and beyond in our communities.

Even if you are vaccinated it is vital that you register and carry out the weekly tests. This will identify asymptomatic cases and is of particular benefit in helping to pick up positive cases that would then be sequenced to identify any variants.

All line managers are asked to remind colleagues to:

• Call and book a kit collection slot by calling 0121 507 2664 and selecting option 6
• To undertake weekly testing and drop off their samples

Samples can be dropped into the phlebotomy department, Monday – Friday  from 7.30am – 3.30pm and in the following locations:

• OPD first floor Corridor D Sandwell Site
• Ground floor BTC
• Ground floor Rowley Regis Hospital
• First floor Neptune Health Park
• Second floor Lyng Health and Social Care Centre
• Victoria Health Centre
• Oldbury Health Centre

Alternatively, samples can be dropped off in the LAMP collection bins at Sandwell outside the Bryan Knight Suite, outside Pathology or A&E.

At City, the LAMP collection bins can be found outside Pharmacy main spine, outside Pathology and A&E.

The latest data by group is below.

Further information including the directorate and professional group rates is published here.

New: NO change to IPC rules within health and social care settings

As the landscape outside work changes with the relaxing of rules enabling two households to meet indoors and face coverings no longer required in classrooms, some questions have been posed by colleagues wanting to know if the new rules apply at work. So we would like to clarify that there has been NO change to the rules within health and social care settings, meaning colleagues must stick to the hands, face, space, fresh air rules we are now used to. This is to ensure we keep our patients and staff safe.

New: Know the variants

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now published a up to date list of all variants of SARS-CoV-2 which are of concern or interest. You can check out this list by clicking here. Note: The variants have been given Greek names to prevent stigmatisation of countries.

Do you still need your vaccination? Did you know that majority of hospitalisations due to COVID-19 is amongst people who have not had the COVID-19 vaccination. With this in mind, one of the most effective ways you can protect yourself, your loved ones and patients is by getting your COVID-19 vaccination. If you are yet to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, please do so.

• You can still book in to get your jab at either Tipton Sports Academy vaccination centre or at the Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall.
• The hub at Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Road, is running Monday to Sunday, 8am – 7.30pm.

Book your slot via the national booking website. You can also use this link to book an appointment locally to your home. For the Saddlers Shopping Centre follow this link to book: Walsall Saddlers Centre.

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

Please ensure you take your Staff ID with you when you attend your appointment as it’s important you’re able to confirm you are eligible for the vaccination.

New: SIREN Study proves huge success

Our Trust has officially been congratulated by the Chief Investigator (National Study Lead) Dr Julie Hopkins from Public Health England on our successful recruitment on SIREN study and for being an exemplar for diverse participants on all measures including ethnicity, gender and job role.

We have received a Certificate of Achievement for successful recruitment of 547 SIREN participants.

The Trust would like to say a huge thank you to all participants in study as well as all colleagues from research and development, phlebotomy and occupational health who have ensured the success of the study.

Updated: Swabbing pathway for surgical patients

Colleagues are advised that the swabbing pathway standard operating procedure has been updated to change the rules around self-isolation prior to coming in for a planned procedure. Previously patients were told they must isolate for 72 hours following their COVID test – that has been relaxed to should isolate.

Please see the amended SOP here.

Updated: Changes to FIT Testing

We have recently made changes to how you arrange to get FIT tested. Previously colleagues have been asked to call ext.5050 to arrange an appointment. It has now changed and colleagues can now access FIT testing in the following ways:

• Log onto ESR and book an appointment to be fit tested
• Fit testing is a mandatory role specific requirement
• Fit Testing is held in the Old Security Bungalow, City Hospital

For any urgent requests or more information please contact the infection, prevention and control team on ext. 5195.

Reminder: Looking after your wellbeing

We continue to review our roadmap to reopening our gym facilities so we can reopen as soon as we can safely do so. In the meantime you can take advantage of a 20 per cent discount per month at Sandwell Leisure Trust via their one card membership.

There remain a wide range of wellbeing options available to colleagues. These are just some of the ways you can support your personal wellbeing:

• Try something new such as mindful yoga with Chris
• Try out our relaxation pod. Call 0121 507 5886 to book.
• Book a chat or massage at the Sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886. The ‘Daily Sanctuary Session’ flyer explains the different therapeutic sessions offered.
• Call our counselling service on 0800 06 96 222 between 7am – 11pm or book via occupational health on 0121 507 3306.
• Have a conversation with one of our REACT Practitioners by calling 0121 507 5886.
• Sign up for a Blue Light Card to access exclusive discounts for NHS staff

And finally: Magic in the air for maternity colleagues

Since early on in the pandemic we have run maternity clinics out of two of our local football stadiums, thanks to the kindness of Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion football clubs. This has meant that anxious mums-to-be and new mums were able to continue their maternity care without having to travel in to our hospital sites during the pandemic.

The Trust is very appreciative of the warmth of the reception our maternity colleagues have experienced over this time. However it was a great surprise when Harry Potter star – Oliver Phelps – aka George Weasley stopped in to the Aston Villa maternity clinic this week to hand out hampers to the star struck staff. Addressing the staff he said: “In recognition of the amazing work you have done throughout the pandemic, keeping mums and babies safe, here is a treat to say thanks.” Alas no butterbeer!