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Chief Executive’s Message – Friday 24 December

December 24, 2021

As we come to the end of another calendar year, the challenges we face seem eerily similar to those faced at this time last year, during the second, major wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.  I would like to make a few, unequivocal points about this which I ask you all to consider as we enter the Christmas and New Year period:

  • The Omicron variant may well cause 40-50% fewer hospital admissions, yet it is twice as virulent as the delta variant, meaning that, in effect, the impact on our health services and our staff, will be exactly the same as that we witnessed last winter.  The maths are simple.
  • We have agreed our winter plan and holiday period surge plans regarding bed capacity and staffing resilience.  However, staff absences with Omicron variant related illness or contact issues is already causing us to agree to dilute staffing ratios on the wards.  This will be extremely difficult for those of you who will be on shift during those times.  I am sorry about this, but there is no alternative and we will not hesitate to reduce our bed capacity if we drop below unsafe staffing thresholds over the next few days and weeks.
  • In order to minimise the disruption to your colleagues and our patients caused by COVID related absences, please can you ensure you are exercising the right caution in your home and social lives, practicing social distancing and minimising your exposure to this new, virulent strain?
  • Please can colleagues be more strict in their compliance with our PPE requirements?  Areas like ITU have shown that there is little staff to staff transmission when masks are worn correctly and social distancing practiced at break times etc.  Masks are not chin warmers.  Your nose is connected to your lungs.  Please remember this.

The vaccination programme has been making waves. Last week across the Black Country and West Birmingham, a total of more than 100,000 vaccine doses were given at pharmacies, GP surgeries, pop-up clinics and walk-in centres. Over 10,000 of those were administered at our hubs at City and Sandwell. As of this week, 20 million jabs have been delivered in the Midlands since the start of the vaccination programme.  A remarkable achievement.

It’s encouraging to see so many of our communities responding to the call to protect themselves and their families. If you are still not jabbed, this call is for you too. You will already be aware that vaccination will be a requirement of employment for frontline healthcare workers from 1 April next year. This means you will need to ensure you have your first vaccination by 3 February 2022. There will be consequences for your ongoing employment if you do not.  This is not an SWBH decision, it is enshrined in national law, whether we like it or not.

Colleagues at our vaccination hub will be delighted to see you. The opening times are available on Connect.  If you are concerned in anyway, then please speak to colleagues in occupational health or reach out to me or any one of my executive colleagues. You are a valuable member of the SWB team and we’d like to ensure that you continue to be part of our organisation, delivering the best care to our communities. Further information on mandatory vaccination will follow in the new year.

This week we opened our COVID Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU) at City Hospital – the first in our ICS. The unit is delivering ground-breaking treatment to immunosuppressed non-hospitalised PCR positive patients who are receiving neutralising monoclonal antibodies as a treatment for COVID-19.  On Thursday Deputy Medical Director, Chizo Agwu joined a virtual event hosted by Birmingham Live to talk about the treatment. Also taking part in the discussion were Sarah-Jane Marsh (chief executive, Women’s and Children’s) and Ruth Tennant (public health director, Solihull). You can view it here.

In clinical trials, 85 per cent of patients who received the monoclonal antibody treatment did not have to be hospitalised. This treatment is great news for our patients and ensures they can remain at home with their loved ones.

Finally, can I bookend this week’s blog with two thank you’s.  Firstly, if you are working during the festive period – thank you. Don’t forget to take advantage of offers such as a free meal from our restaurants on Christmas Day.  Secondly, to all of you who have contributed to providing and supporting safe patient care this last year – thank you.  Please do cash in your £10 voucher through the SWBH benefits scheme, which is a small token of our appreciation for everything you do.

As we look to 2022, let’s reflect on the last year and recognise the kindness you have demonstrated to our patients, relatives and each other.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Richard