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COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 23 July

July 23, 2021

Many colleagues will be aware that unfortunately we are seeing a steady increase in community COVID-19 infection rates – currently on a level similar to that seen during the first wave in April last year. This translates into an increase in patient admission to the wards and critical care, and our modelling suggests that we will see further increased admissions.

 As a system we work with other Trusts within our region to try and share the pressure on beds and patient admission.  This to date has alleviated some of the pressure and has meant that patients admitted to critical care have been manageable, and this work with other Trusts will continue in order that we can maintain our services to patients. However we do need to be prepared for the possibility of patients requiring future critical care interventions and the need for reservists to support these patients. Therefore we’d like to prepare you for the possibility of reservists returning in the near future.

 There are steps you can take to help with our response regardless of your role in the Trust, with the foremost one being making sure you have received your two COVID-19 vaccination jabs. If you haven’t done so yet, it is not too late, please read on to see all the options to walk-in (at City site) or attend any one of the vaccination clinics advertised below. If you’ve already been double jabbed – thank you. You can also help by wearing your mask whilst on any of our sites, following infection prevention and control hand hygiene rules, maintaining social distance and undertake weekly LAMP (saliva) testing for COVID.

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

 

No. of our patients confirmed with COVID-19 No. of positive COVID-19 patients who have been discharged No. of COVID-19 positive patients who have died in our hospitals No.of COVID-19 positive current inpatients No. of COVID-19 research trial participants to date
6,895

(6,786)

 6,919

(6,803)

 1,229

(1,220)

 66

(71)

 1,146

(1,145)

1. New: Self-isolation rules for colleagues in exceptional circumstances

Due to an increase in COVID-19 infections in our community the number of colleagues required to self-isolate has gone up, leading to pressure on our ability to safely staff services. Following newly published contact tracing guidelines and working with the two Directors of Public Health it has been agreed that double vaccinated frontline colleagues that have been pinged can work in exceptional circumstances following a risk assessment. Staff can only attend work during self-isolation but not undertake any other activities. If you are advised to self-isolate please contact your line manager to discuss your ability to return to work. The following questions and areas will  be discussed as part of the assessment:

 

  • Are you doubly vaccinated?
  • Are you able to wear PPE?
  • Maintain social distancing?
  • Undertake a PCR test which must be negative
  • Will need to undertake lateral flow tests for 7 days

For more information please see here.

2. New: SWB lighting the way on LAMP

LAMP, the COVID-19 weekly saliva testing programme, is now well established across our organisation. In fact looking at the stats SWB are now the largest users of LAMP tests in the region, taking over from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

By taking part in a LAMP test you are helping the Trust stay safe, your colleagues stay safe and both you and your family stay safe also. So thank you to everyone who has taken the time to register and continue with the testing programme. While we’re now number one when it comes to taking action, there’s still a lot more to do and a great many out there who are not currently involved.

If you are currently undertaking lateral flow tests for asymptomatic testing, please consider moving to LAMP testing. The tests are far more reliable, they simply require a saliva sample rather than swabbing. Additionally, staff that have tested positive for COVID-19 can recommence LAMP testing after 28 days from a positive result, lateral flow testing remains at 90 days – so you can get peace of mind a lot faster post-COVID with LAMP testing than the alternative.

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, on weekends (Saturday – Sunday, 8am – 4pm) 07816 992873 or 07970 428995
  • To undertake weekly testing and drop off their samples regularly each week

Uptake of the weekly saliva test is monitored to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our patients, the public and each other.

The latest data by group is below:

3. New: Please ensure patients and visitors use main entrances when visiting our hospital sites

As COVID-19 restrictions in the community are lifted, it’s important to remember rules and restrictions remain in place and unchanged within our sites.

Our current arrangements for infection prevention and control for colleagues, patients and visitors at the Trust will continue in light of the community case rate increase and COVID-19 prevalence in our hospitals. Our PPE rules and visiting restrictions remain in place in line with national guidelines for the NHS.

We must remind colleagues to advise all patients and visitors to our hospital sites to use the main entrances only. Colleagues are not permitted to hold doors open or provide swipe/fob access to patients and visitors in any other entrances which are for Trust colleagues only.

4. New: Vaccination update

Across the Black Country and West Birmingham over 80.9% 846,855 of adults have had their 1st dose of the vaccines and 62.7% 656,172 people have now received a second dose. See the latest figures here.

The percentages below are for those aged 18 and over who have now received their first dose of the vaccine by local authority:

  • Dudley  – 86%
  • Sandwell 82%
  • Birmingham – 74%
  • Wolverhampton – 81%
  • Walsall – 83%

During the second ‘Big Walk-in Weekend’ from Friday 16 June to Monday 19 June almost 17,000 COVID-19 vaccines were administered. However, there are over 300,000 people across the local area still to receive their first dose. As you know getting both doses of the vaccine is vital to ensure maximum protection against the virus and will not only reduce peoples chances of catching the COVID-19, but will also reduce the chance of becoming seriously unwell – or even dying – if they do catch it.

One of our patients from West Bromwich who is still suffering from Long COVID after catching the virus last October – Jeanette Bailey (62) –  detailed just some of the symptoms she was suffering:

“All my fingernails and toenails fell out, and my hair literally came out in clumps. I have pain in all my joints and my breathing is affected, and difficult to this day. On Monday coming – 26 July – I’m attending the cardiology clinic to find out how badly my heart has been affected – I’ve developed irregular heartbeats since contracting COVID. I followed the rules and did everything I could to keep safe, but despite this caught COVID last October. I’m now fully vaccinated, for COVID is no joke, and I’m terrified I could catch it again.”

 5. New: ‘Grab a jab’ is back at the Hawthorns

‘Grab a jab’ is back at the Baggies this Friday (23 July) and Saturday (24 July) with further clinics based there in the weeks ahead.

Sandwell Council – in partnership with NHS colleagues and local community and faith organisations – is continuing with its programme of pop-up clinics to give residents the opportunity to get vaccinated, with anyone aged 18 or over being urged to ‘grab a jab’ at The Hawthorns, as West Bromwich Albion supports the vaccination drive again after a successful visit earlier in the month which saw more than 200 people vaccinated.

And it’s not just Albion fans who are welcome – anyone aged 18 or over can go along to get vaccinated at The Hawthorns, or at several other locations around Sandwell over the coming weeks.

 

  • Friday 23 July and Saturday 24 July at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, The Hawthorns, Birmingham Road, from 10am-6pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Sunday 25 July at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 130, High Street, Smethwick from 10am-4pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Tuesday 27 July at Church of God of Prophecy, Unit N, Park Lane, West Bromwich from 7pm-9pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Friday 30 July and Saturday 31 July at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, The Hawthorns, Birmingham Road, from 10am-6pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Sunday 1 August at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 130, High Street, Smethwick from 10am-4pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Tuesday 3 August at New Testament Church of God, 31a Church Street, Oldbury from 7pm-9pm. (Pfizer only)
  • Wednesday 4 August at Windmill Community Centre, Messenger Road, Smethwick from 10am-3pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Friday 6 August and Saturday 7 August at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, The Hawthorns, Birmingham Road, from 10am-6pm. (Pfizer only).
  • Tuesday 10 August at Church of God of Prophecy, Unit N, Park Lane, West Bromwich from 7pm-9pm. (Pfizer only).

Details of clinics are available online at the Healthy Sandwell clinics webpage.

Anyone aged 40 or over who needs their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, can also go to Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton, Monday to Sunday from 8am-6pm. (First and second dose Pfizer and AstraZeneca available).

Please make sure it’s at least eight weeks since your first dose – this is important for your health and protection.

Remember:

  • No appointment is necessary.
  • No NHS number is needed.
  • No need to be registered with a GP.
  • No residential address is needed.
  • Offering both first and second dose vaccines – remember to be bring your vaccine card if you’ve had your first vaccination.

With COVID-19 cases rising both in Sandwell and across the West Midlands region, being fully vaccinated is the best way of protecting yourself and others from becoming seriously ill.

6. New: Critical Care surge learning resources

To support staff being redeployed into critical care during the pandemic, the London Transformation and Learning Collaborative (LTLC) has worked in partnership with Health Education England elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh) to develop a range of resources to colleagues who have a role in the Coronavirus response.

These have been highlighted in a new poster which is also available to view and download:

7. Update: Extension to home guidance update

The Trust’s original working from home (WFH) guidance is currently in place until 30 September  2021. There is still a plan to issue a longer-term strategy or plan about home working arrangements in the coming months to carry the Trust through the period to 2023 and to put arrangements on a firmer and more contractual footing.

This ensures fairness for existing and new employees and clarity about eligibility and decision making. The expectation is that this longer-term guidance will take into consideration the potential future desirability for social distancing and the open plan nature of office accommodation in particular in the Trust’s estate from 2022. Also reflecting the general and now more concrete change in working lifestyle that WFH has brought about over the last eighteen months.

You can view the updated WFH guidance here.

8. Update: Wellbeing hour for teams

Wellbeing hour was introduced in June 2021 following feedback and suggestions from colleagues in relation to what support they would like to see as part of the recovery process from the pandemic.

The purpose of wellbeing hour is to create regular time during the working week for colleagues to focus on their wellbeing. Each team is encouraged to nominate one hour per week as a dedicated time for this.

The latest version of the guidance can now be found on Connect.

9. Update: Which rules rule – Trust or venue?

To answer colleagues questions regarding which rules to follow when we are off site – following the relaxing of restrictions nationally earlier this week – the Trust position is that colleagues must follow Trust rules with regard to mask wearing and social distancing during wellbeing days organised by the Trust. Whilst rules in venues will differ from the restrictions we adhere to across the Trust, please respect our restrictions to keep everyone safe. From our opening summary in this bulletin you’ll be aware that COVID has not gone away and we are seeing numbers rise, hence we must all follow precautions, whilst getting the most out of wellbeing away days.

10. Reminder: Monitoring You At Home (MYAH)

A reminder about a unique project for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients monitored via a virtual ward by our clinicians in the community.

Patients referred to the Monitoring You At Home (MYAH) service via their GP or from within the Trust are given an oximeter to measure their oxygen saturation levels for early signs of hypoxia.

COVID-19 mainly affects the lungs and causes a viral pneumonia that can lead to low oxygen levels. By measuring the oxygen levels using the oximeter probe that sits on the patient’s finger, clinicians are able to identify early when a patient’s health deteriorates and can recommend corrective measures.

The programme, rapidly closing in on its first anniversary, is for patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and who are not unwell enough to be admitted to hospital but still need to be monitored with oximetry. Those under MYAH are given instructions on how to record their oxygen saturation and their pulse as well as keeping a check on general symptoms.

You can find out more about MYAH here.

11. Reminder: Be a part of COVID-19 antibody research study

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. The research aims to identify why workers in healthcare settings are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 and how best to maximise safety for all staff. Researchers need your help – colleagues are invited to participate by clicking this link: www.birmingham.ac.uk/COPE-study. But be quick, recruitment will end on 31 July.

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.

Participation includes a home antibody test kit to test for previous COVID-19 infection. You will also need to complete a questionnaire at the start of the study (online or on paper) and a follow up questionnaire after four months. A finger-prick dried blood spot test is also required which will be used to check for COVID-19 antibodies. The test will be mailed to your house.

There is even an opportunity to win an iPad or £200 prize draw.

To take part go to https://is.gd/copewmret, contact the COPE-WM team by emailing cope-wm@contacts.bham.ac.uk or call 0121 414 3151.