COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 7 April

April 7, 2022

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:  On the side of caution…

As you no doubt have heard, and as the numbers directly above indicate, we have been seeing an increase in COVID-19 numbers once again.

The Trust is keeping a watchful eye on things to ensure we are able to continue offering safe and effective care, but for now, we ask you to be cautious about your activities once again, for yourself, your patients and for your loved ones.

Think about how you can best protect yourselves and those around you to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 or passing it on.

When taking part in meetings within the Trust

• Remain within the allocated ‘max capacity’ of each meeting area to allow for 1m+ social distancing.
• Colleagues should continue to wear fluid resistant surgical face masks when in a shared space, this includes when meeting with team members and close colleagues.
• One metre social distancing space should be adhered to to ensure colleagues remain safe
• Ensure you complete and report a lateral flow test twice a week before attending work.

As the situation is changing, please make sure you stay up to date by looking out for future COVID-19 bulletins.

2. New:  Trialling allowance for two birthing partners in maternity

We have eased our general visiting restrictions to remove the need for visitors any of our inpatient or maternity areas to show evidence of a negative lateral flow test.

Partners may accompany women to appointments or scans simply by wearing a mask, sanitising their hands. Partners who are symptomatic or have had a household COVID-19 contact in the last 7 days should not attend. Birthing partners are allowed to accompany the mum-to-be whilst in labour. As we continue to ease COVID-19 restrictions, as of today (7 April) the number of birthing partners for women in labour has been increased to two, albeit on a trial basis.

3. Reminder: Rules for visiting wards – what is and isn’t allowed

The following points summarise our rules and are for those wards where visiting is allowed (amber wards only). Visiting red and green departments is only allowed on compassionate grounds (this is where a visit by a carer or family member is central to ensuring that the patient’s fundamental care needs are met). All wards regardless of COVID status should ensure robust systems remain in place to support regular communication between patients and their loved ones.

To visit a patient on an amber inpatient ward:

All visits must be booked in advance by telephoning the ward to allow wards to limit the number of visitors on a ward/bay at any one time. Ward staff should ensure that visitors are given the following information prior to visiting:

• All visitors must be free of COVID-19 symptoms, and must not attend if they are a household contact of a COVID-19 positive case. We regret children (under 16 years) or those who are immunocompromised are currently not allowed to visit.
• Patients in amber areas should be supported to receive one visitor for up to 30 minutes per day. Patients can nominate two individuals who can visit for the duration of their stay, ideally from the same household. There should be no more than 2 visitors per bay.
• Visitors must use hand sanitiser and wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask on entry to the hospital site and ward.
• All ward areas must ensure adequate supply of PPE for all visitors and recheck they are wearing a mask on entry to the ward and have sanitised their hands.
• Staff should continue to strongly advise patients to wear their masks and ensure a minimum of one metre distancing is in place at all times.
• Bay/ward areas should be well ventilated.
• Weather permitting – visiting can be conducted in the hospital grounds as long as the patient is medically stable and can be kept safe.

Our usual exemptions apply for inpatient children, those at end of life and people who lack mental capacity.

We continue to review visiting arrangements based on a risk assessment taking into account COVID-19 case rates in the community and numbers of COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.

For more information see the visiting information here.

4. Reminder: There’s still time to grab a jab

There’s no doubt the vaccination programme has contributed greatly to building a barrier against COVID-19 across the population. Thank you to those who have already received your vaccinations. There is still time to get vaccinated, whether that’s your first, second or booster vaccination. We are also now offering COVID-19 boosters for 5 – 11 year olds, the over-75s and those with a weakened immune system at our vaccinations sites.

There are several pop-up clinics taking place across Sandwell and City over the rest of this week. See the schedule below:

Don’t forget, the vaccination hubs are open daily at City and Tipton and no appointment necessary – you can just drop in.

Here are current opening hours:

5. Reminder: Lateral flow testing twice a week is a trust policy

Thank you to everyone who has been testing regularly, as we have learnt over the last few years of dealing with COVID, testing is absolutely critical to be able to manage infections. We must have a robust programme of testing and reporting to ensure we understand the spread of the virus. Lateral flow testing lets us do this.

All colleagues are required to complete a lateral flow test twice a week before coming in to work.

All completed lateral flow tests must be reported on the Trust Lateral Flow Test reporting form which can be found by clicking here.

Please ensure you only report your test results on the Trust system and not to duplicate your submission on the national reporting system.

 Colleagues are no longer required to confirm a COVID positive lateral flow result with a PCR test.

Lateral flow tests are free to NHS staff. You can order your lateral flow kit by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests. You will be prompted to set up an account using your NHS email address. Once set up please select “Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust” from the list and continue to place your order.

6. Reminder: Are you compliant with your FIT testing? Book in on ESR

Colleagues who are needing to be FIT tested for their face mask can book their testing session on ESR.

1. Log onto ESR and search for ‘fit testing’ under ‘my learning’ and book an appointment to be fit tested
2. FIT testing is a mandatory role specific requirement
3. FIT Testing is held in the Old Security Bungalow, City Hospital

For a step by step booking guide, follow the instructions here: Booking your Fit Test (Word)

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.

If you do not have access to ESR or you are experiencing difficulty, you can call one of the following numbers to see if there is availability on the day.

1. Jack Southall –  07815020836
2. Kristian Burgoyne –  07815020808
3. Scott Shenton – 07866007539

7. Reminder: Keep fit at Sandwell or City gym

As colleagues may be aware, the gym at Sandwell recently reopened. If you wish to use the gym facilities, simply register your interest with the wellbeing team and following an online induction you can commence using the gym, which is on the ground floor in Trinity House. The gym accommodates a maximum of 2 users at any one time and colleagues will be limited to a maximum of 40 minutes each.

At City gym, we’ve created the space you need to work out while keeping a safe distance. The gym has also been rearranged and clearly marked out for you to use safely, so it is easy for everyone to follow. The maximum number of users is 5 at any one time with the maximum gym time usage being 1 hour per visit, to allow other colleagues the opportunity to use the facility.

We’ve placed more hand sanitiser dispensers and wipes around both gyms so it’s easy to regularly clean your hands and equipment during your visit. We ask that you also sanitise your hands before entering the gym to keep yourself and others safe. For ventilation, colleagues will be responsible for opening windows whilst exercising and closing when finished.

Existing members: Your pass will already be activated ready for use.

For new members: Please contact Jatinder Sekhon, by emailing jatinder.sekhon@nhs.net or call 0121 507 3854 to complete your registration. The relevant forms can be found below:

• Gym membership application form
• Gym disclaimers
• Gym induction