COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 3 December

December 3, 2021

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

Note: Percentages may decrease due to changes in the number of inpatients and in the number of staff members (starters and leavers). 

1. New: The Omicron variant

New COVID-19 measures have been announced in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as initially discovered last week in South Africa. These including face coverings in shops and on public transport, self-isolation for contacts of suspected Omicron cases (including for those who are fully-vaccinated) and more.

While there are currently few cases – at least in comparison to other variants – at present, due to how Omicron has mutated there is the potential for it to be particularly dangerous.

Please make sure you are following the guidelines and taking all the precautions we have become so familiar with, including washing your hands thoroughly and social distancing.

You can also help your resistance to Coronavirus in general by getting your booster jab. The festive season has arrived and as we meet with friends and family, it’s important we’re as safe as possible.
Visit the vaccination hub or a pop-up clinic to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster to protect yourself and those around you as soon as possible so we can all enjoy the festivities safely with our loved ones.

For staff that we have no vaccination record for, over the coming weeks you will be contacted to confirm whether you have had your vaccines elsewhere. This is to ensure we have an accurate record of vaccination status for all colleagues.

When and where to get your jabs:

City: The City vaccination hub in Sheldon Block is open seven days a week between 8am – 6pm for walk-ins.

Sandwell: The next pop up clinic will take place on 16 December at the Berridge Suite between 9am – 4pm.

2. New: Primary vaccinations for immunosuppressed patients

At the current time, The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidelines advise that a third primary dose be offered to individuals aged 12 years and over with certain degrees of immunosuppression after they have completed the first and second recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and before any booster dose.

In some cases those affected may have already been invited for or received a six month booster dose. If so this can take the place of the third primary dose. However, a further booster in six months may still be advisable.

A letter template is already available to clinical teams.

New national guidance is expected on an additional COVID-19 booster (4^th vaccine) for immunosuppressed people who have had their third primary dose. We will share guidance when this is received.

3. Updated: Change to Government guidance when returning from abroad

Earlier this week the Government implemented new rules, which included new rules for PCR tests for travelling to the UK.  If you are entering the UK from a foreign country (apart from Ireland), you have two days to take a PCR test, a lateral flow test will no longer be accepted.  The new guidance stipulates that, while you are waiting for a result, you must self-isolate regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not. You can return to work once you receive a negative test result.

If colleagues have already booked annual leave which does not take into account the new rules above, you will be required to self-isolate until you receive your test results.  The PCR test must be booked before you travel, and bought privately from a government approved list of providers. The PCR test must be undertaken as soon as you return into the UK.

Working from home will be implemented where possible for roles that can accommodate this. If working from home is not possible you must meet with your line manager urgently in order that they can make plans now to try and alter the roster to swap your shifts. Only in circumstances where these two options cannot be accommodated the period will be recorded as (paid) self-isolation until you can return to work.

If you have already booked annual leave and are going aboard you must have an urgent discussion with your line manager to discuss the options outlined above.

If you have not booked holidays abroad as yet, colleagues must take into consideration the new rules above and ensure that they use appropriate annual leave to accommodate the isolation period required upon return.

4. Updated: Ronapreve pathway update

Ronapreve (a neutralising monoclonal antibody therapy) is now available for COVID-19 positive patients that are aged more than 12 years and weigh more than 40kgs. Positive patients could be eligible to receive Ronapreve, irrespective of if they are unwell and receiving treatment or are asymptomatic .

Watch this short video featuring Dr Chizo Agwu, Deputy Medical Director to learn about the new pathway and how your patients can benefit from this treatment:

Note: All pathways including the full Neutralising Monoclonal Antibody (nMAB) (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) Ronapreve in Hospitalised Patients guidance  can be found on the COVID Clinical Guidance page.

5. Reminder: Keeping us safe is between you, me and the LAMP post

 With the growing concern about numbers as well as the Omicron variant. We are, of course, reminding you once again of the importance and ease of the LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) test.

Directorate Lead Nurse for Ophthalmology Laura Young spoke recently about how the test helps give peace of mind and protects family and patients alike.

“LAMP testing, for me, is part of the toolkit I use (along with wearing face masks both at work and outside and being vaccinated) to protect everyone around me to ensure we can continue to deliver the care our patients deserve to reduce pain, relieve anxiety and maintain vision to support independence.

“As we move into the season of colds, this test helps to differentiate between a cold and Coronavirus for many of us who would only have mild COVID-19 symptoms (thanks to the impact of the vaccine programme). I continue to be reassured every time I receive my ‘negative’ result by text that I am doing my bit to reduce the spread of this virus and keep my patients, colleagues and family safe.”

The saliva test is a speedy and less invasive way of detecting COVID-19. You can book a kit collection slot for the weekly test, which requires you to spit into a tube in the morning before you brush your teeth or an hour after you have eaten.

When you arrive at work, you can deposit your sample into a red collection box. Many of these are positioned around our acute and community sites.

You can find drop off points and more information by clicking here.

If you are still unsure how to complete your LAMP test, be sure to check out the step-by-step guide in the video below.

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. Your saliva sample is ONLY used to test for COVID and is disposed of after testing.

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:

6. Reminder: Visit the Sanctuary

Would you like to take 30-90 minutes to look after yourself? We very rarely take the time, so why not book now!

Our Wellbeing Sanctuary gives you the chance to de-stress and relax in a confidential safe place.

The sanctuary has a variety of offerings including:

• Massage
• Chill out downtime over a tea/coffee and a biscuit
• A chat – a listening ear to hear anything you want to talk about in confidence
• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation hypnotherapy
• Music therapy

Dr Michael Blaber is encouraging colleagues to use the Sanctuary

Dr Michael Blaber, Wellbeing Lead for Junior Doctors is one colleague who recently attended the Sanctuary:

“The staff were exceptionally friendly, though not at all intrusive. Colleagues were enjoying guided mindfulness and music therapy, learning de-stress techniques and benefiting from skilled listening and clinical supervision. Whether I wanted to offer my ‘expert analysis’ of the football or discuss the difficult situation I had just encountered on the ward, there was freedom to simply unwind… I highly recommend it to you.” 

You can read Dr Blaber’s full article on Connect.

Note: Social distancing measures are in place and PPE and sanitisation is provided on site.

To book please contact the wellbeing team on 0121 507 5886 to book your free session.

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 right outside.

For further details please see daily Sanctuary information sheet.

Additional support, if you need to talk to someone in confidence:

1. • Counsellors: The NHS direct counselling service: 0800 06 96 222 (7am – 11pm, seven days a week).
   • Bereavement support: 0300 303 4434 (8am – 8pm).
   • Trouble sleeping: Click herefor help and guidance.
   • Just need a confidence conversation?  Book a one to one at the wellbeing Sanctuary by calling 0121 507 5886.
   • REACT practitioners: Talk to colleagues who have been trained to have a confidential conversation with you near to where you work. Emailwellbeinghub@nhs.net to find out who is your nearest REACT practitioner.
   • SHOUT service: Text SHOUT to 85258 confidential TEXT support.
   • Chaplaincy team: All our chaplaincy team are trained listeners and people who care for you. You can email causer@nhs.net or call either 0121 507 3552/4055 or 07972 572854 to get in touch with the team.