COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 2 July

July 2, 2021

As we move into July, we move one step closer to removing restrictions from our daily lives. Whilst this is highly anticipated and welcome after the last 16 months, we ask all colleagues to remain mindful of the risks posed by COVID-19 and to continue following the existing rules and infection control and prevention guidance.

Now is not the time to become complacent. There are rising cases of Coronavirus in our communities, in particular, Sandwell and Birmingham – we urge colleagues to continue exercising caution.

There is, without doubt, one thing we can all look forward to and that’s 5 July. At 3pm, we’ll all be putting the kettle on as we celebrate the 73rd birthday of our wonderful NHS. It is a national celebration of you – our NHS family – ordinary yet extraordinary people who continue to go above and beyond every day.

It’s almost time to get the par-TEA started and enjoy Dr Makwana’s final dance! Until then, have a good weekend, do a little of what you love, and we’ll be back with more updates next week.

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

1. New: Visiting arrangements in critical care this weekend

From Tuesday, 29 June until Monday 5 July inclusive, critical care are stepping down visiting arrangements. As we have seen an increase in COVID admissions, it has been agreed  to suspend visiting and this arrangement will be reviewed next week. This decision has been taken to ensure the care of our most clinically vulnerable patients is not compromised.

This is the approach that will be taken for those wishing to visit patients in critical care once visiting is reinstated:

• One nominated next of kin (NoK) is able to visit for the duration of a patient’s stay
• The NoK must be free of illness and willing and able to wear a fluid-resistant surgical mask (FRSM)
• One hour visiting slots are available and this time includes donning, bedside and doffing time
• Visits are booked the day before with the admin team
• A maximum of three visitors are allowed in any time slot.

We’d like to remind colleagues that visiting has begun to be phased across different ward areas. There are exceptional circumstances where visiting is allowed in all areas, for example for young patients, patients who lack mental capacity and patients who are at the end of their life. For these patients it is important that we are able to safely facilitate visiting, so please make a reasonable local judgement regarding the time you allow for each visit. If in doubt ask your group for advice.

2. New: Stay safe – high cases of COVID-19 in Sandwell hotspots

People living and working in the Cradley Heath and Old Hill, Blackheath and St Paul’s areas of Sandwell are being warned to take extra care due to very high rates of COVID-19.

Infection rates in the three wards are around double the average rate for the whole of Sandwell. More than 100 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in these three hotspots in the past week:

• The infection rate in Blackheath is 269 cases per 100,000 (33 people infected in past week).
• The infection rate in Cradley Heath and Old Hill is 250 per 100,000 (35 people infected in past week).
• The rate in the St Paul’s area of Smethwick is 248 per 100,000 (39 people infected in past week).

Dr Lisa McNally said: “The case rates in Cradley Heath and Old Hill, Blackheath and St Paul’s are causing us great concern. They are much, much higher than the rest of Sandwell, and to see more than 100 individuals test positive in the past week in just three wards is very concerning.

“I’m asking people living and working in these areas to take extra care to avoid becoming infected and passing COVID-19 on to others. In particular, if anyone has COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and book a test. If we don’t self-isolate when we have symptoms we can put other people’s lives at risk.”

3. New: Act now – colleague vaccinations available

The warmer days, BBQs with friends and football may make you think that life is almost back to normal. As much as we hope for that to be the case, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our colleagues, families and patients to continue our quest to be as COVID secure as we can as an organisation.

So far, over 80 per cent of colleagues have taken advantage of getting their COVID-19 vaccination, but we need to keep fighting the good fight and turn the tide in this pandemic.

We are asking everyone to play their part and continue taking all the necessary precautions to stay safe. If you haven’t already done so, please get your vaccination.

Everyone without symptoms is encouraged to do frequent testing. Staff should do a weekly LAMP test and people can access lateral flow tests via www.sandwell.gov.uk/testsandwell. Please upload your lateral flow results onto our system. We are responsible for delivering effective patient care. Regardless of whether you are a clinical colleague or operational, we have a duty to keep ourselves, our families, colleagues and patients as safe as we can. A COVID vaccination for you and your families, following infection, prevention and control guidance, and a weekly LAMP test will help to do that.

How to get your vaccination:

• The vaccination hub at Sheldon Block, City Hospital administers first and second doses to colleagues and patients. It is open seven days a week for walk-ins from 8am – 6pm. Bookings can also be made via the national booking website. For details, and to book your first or second vaccination go to uk/covidvaccination.
• Second jabs for people aged 40+ who had their first dose eight weeks or longer ago are also available with no appointment at Tipton Sports Academy (8am-6pm) and the Saddlers Centre in Walsall (8am-7pm).
• Pop-up clinics are operating in Sandwell – for details check gov.uk/newsfor updates. More dates will be advertised here in the coming days.

Pop-up Clinic Timetable

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms must self-isolate – along with their whole household – and book a test at http://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

Colleagues can get tested at Little Lane at Sandwell Hospital, seven days a week, 8:30am – 3:30pm. You can book an appointment for a test by calling the Community Contact Centre on 0121 507 2664 and choosing option 6, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm. On Saturdays and Sundays call 07816 992873  or 07970 428995 8am – 4pm.

4. New: Black Country and West Birmingham Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is here to help you

The Black Country and West Birmingham Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub has been set up to support you, our healthcare family. Whether you work in a clinical or non-clinical role, the Hub provides access to mental help support tailored to your needs.

The pandemic has presented increasing challenges to staff across the NHS, primary care, community services, and social care – and this is taking its toll on our mental wellbeing. It’s more important than ever that we look after ourselves, stay connected, and keep the conversation going about how we are feeling and how these circumstances are affecting us.

The Black Country and West Birmingham Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, provides an entry point into mental health talking therapies and support for colleagues across the Black Country and West Birmingham Integrated Care System (ICS). Find out more about the ICS here.

Qualified mental health professionals offer priority pathways to confidential telephone, video, or face-to-face support tailored to individual needs, provided by local mental health teams and support services close to home.

Read more about the Hub here.

5. Reminder: Have you done your LAMP test? Regular testing will keep us safe

This week at Sandwell, special pop-up sessions took place where colleagues signed up to the Trust’s saliva testing programme (LAMP – Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification).

Due to the popularity of the sessions:

LAMP pop-up sessions will continue at Sandwell main reception next week from Monday 5 July – Friday 9 July, 7.15am – 11.00 am.

Pop up sessions will be rolled out at City Hospital from Monday 5 July – Friday 9 July, 7.15 am 11.00 am in the main spine by the pharmacy.

These sessions are for those who haven’t yet signed up to this new speedier and more accurate way of testing for COVID-19. You will be able to register and book a slot to collect your test kit from phlebotomy. A suitable collection time can be arranged when you register.

Please do your bit to protect yourselves, your friends, family, colleagues and patients by completing a weekly LAMP test. Even if you are vaccinated it is vital that you register and carry out the weekly tests as they will help identify if you’re asymptomatic.

Alternatively, you can ring 0121 507 2664 (Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm)  and select option 6, to register and book a kit collection slot. On weekends (Saturday – Sunday, 8am – 4pm), please call 07816 992873 or 07970 428995. For more information, please email kulwinder.johal@nhs.net. Similarly, if you require extra testing kits, please call the team and arrange a convenient time to collect them.

The latest data by group is below:

Thank you for your continued support with our testing programme.

6. Reminder: Are you compliant with your FIT testing?

Those colleagues who are required to wear FFP3 masks in clinical areas will know FIT testing is important to stay safe. Put your faith in your personal protective equipment by gaining reassurance that the equipment works for you.

FIT testing is a mandatory role specific requirement and there are now more ways for colleagues to access FIT testing:

• Log onto ESR and search for ‘fit testing’ under ‘my learning’ and book an appointment to be fit tested
• FIT testing is held in the Old Security Bungalow, City Hospital.

Note: If you book an appointment for FIT testing via ESR you will only become compliant on your mandatory training if you attend the appointment.

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

7. Reminder: City gym is now open

Missing City gym? Well, fear not as it is now open back up and running at Ellis House following a refurbishment to make the premises COVID safe and compliant with infection control guidance.

We’re committed to providing colleagues  with a safe place to enjoy a workout.  For this to happen there are a number of instructions that have to be carried out and you must adhere to them at all times, including reduced numbers and social distancing. Because of this, and the relative size difference, it is not possible to open the Sandwell gym at this time due to the restrictions but this will be reviewed again this month.

In the meantime, you can still take advantage of a 20 per cent discount per month at Sandwell Leisure Trust via their one card membership.

For existing members: Your pass will be activated ready for use from Monday, 29 June 2021.

For new members: Please contact Jatinder Sekhon on 0121 507 5886/3854 to complete your registration.

Other ways you can look after your wellbeing:

• Try mindful yoga with Chris
• Put your feet up and enjoy 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 Cardto access exclusive discounts for NHS staff.

8. Reminder: Sit back and relax with a seated acupressure massage available at the Sanctuary

Are you thinking of relaxation and unwinding after a long week? A seated acupressure massage session is just one of the ways to destress and is available to all colleagues across the Trust.

Reset your mind and body with a chair massage and help:

• Relieve back, neck and shoulder pain
• Improve your mood
• Reduce your stress and anxiety
• Lift your energy.

Note: A full consultation is completed with a therapist prior to the session and the massage is carried out safely over your own clothing. Social distancing measures are in place and PPE and sanitisation is provided on site.

Available dates:

• Every Monday, 10am – 3.30pm
• Every Tuesday, 10am – 3.30pm
• Every Thursday, 10am – 5pm.

The Sanctuary is only a five minute drive away from City Hospital and a 10 minute drive away from Sandwell Hospital (Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY) with free secured parking outside. To book, please call 0121 507 5886/3854.

9. Reminder: Wellbeing and recovery – support available

Many team leaders have expressed a wish to arrange some time for teams to be away from the work environment and jointly reflect on experiences. This time-out can take a range of formats, but in order to help managers, the Trust is willing to consider centrally funding reasonable costs associated with these time-outs.

This could include:

• Hire of an external venue
• Facilitator/external speaker costs
• Transport to external venue
• Refreshment costs (no alcohol)
• External team building activities
• Backfill costs.

The procurement team will help with the purchasing of supplies/items for away days and each proposal will be assessed for value for money and appropriateness.

In order for your time-out proposal to be considered for funding, and to access procurement support, please complete the form and send it to swbh.recovery@nhs.net.

If you would like some advice on speakers or content then please contact your HR Business Partner.