Living with COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 14 July

July 14, 2022

1. Masks are now required in all indoor spaces

Due to a rise in cases of COVID-19 within the community, in our hospitals and among our workforce, we have reintroduced fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) as a minimum level of PPE in all indoor spaces and areas.

Where face to face meetings need to take place, please ensure that masks are worn and that social distancing measures of at least one metre are in place.

Being cautious keep us safe:

With rising cases of COVID-19, it is clear that we must remain cautious to avoid transmission of COVID-19, in particular to protect vulnerable colleagues and patients. Please ensure that you adopt safe practices and follow our IPC guidance including hand hygiene, PPE and be mindful of social distancing.

Our IPC arrangements continue to be reviewed weekly based on community case rates, hospital outbreaks, inpatient numbers and staff absence due to COVID-19.

Social distancing:

Please consider, where possible, social distancing measures to keep a minimum of 1 metre between you and those around you.

Face masks:

Colleagues and patients are also required to ensure they wear masks in clinical areas and communal areas in our hospital buildings. Colleagues are reminded to ensure they follow the correct PPE guidance when in direct contact with patients. You must also follow your individual risk assessment for PPE. Occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

If you see someone not wearing a mask where they should be, please respectfully challenge them.

Hand washing:

This is an essential part of infection, prevention and control. All colleagues must wash their hands and or use hand sanitiser frequently and always on entering and exiting clinical areas.

Bare below the elbow:

Please ensure that you are bare below the elbow whilst in clinical areas. This means your sleeves must be rolled up and any wrist jewellery should be removed, prior to entering the area.

Coats and bags:

Outdoor coats should be removed prior to entering a clinical area and should be placed, along with bags in lockers. They should not be taken into the main ward area. Handbags should not to be taken on ward rounds

2. COVID-19 testing arrangements – all patient-facing colleagues are required to test twice a week

Lateral flow is our main form of COVID testing and patient-facing colleagues are required to complete two tests a week at home before arriving at work. We must remember that as healthcare colleagues, there is still a chance that we will come in to contact with those suffering with COVID-19 and vulnerable patients – so it’s critically important that we continue to test and report.

Staff Isolation and when to return to work

Day 1 of isolation is the day after the staff member has developed symptoms, or if asymptomatic, the date the positive LFT/LIAT/PCR test was taken, whichever is earlier.

Colleagues can return to work when they have had two negative lateral flow tests, feel clinically well and have a normal temperature. The LFTs should be taken 24 hours apart. The first LFT should not be taken before the fourth day and should ideally be taken as soon as possible, on waking.

To read the latest isolation guidance please click here.

Ordering your lateral flow kit:

Lateral flow testing kits can be ordered online. Colleagues can either have them delivered directly to their home address or alternatively collect from community locations. Order your lateral flow kit online here: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

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

Note: To submit results, colleagues will be required to login with their NHSmail email and password.

3. COVID-19 Risk Assessment – have you completed yours yet?

Our Trust is providing risk assessments for all of our colleagues which can help to categorise the level of risk to each individual and enable managers to be provided with the actions they are required to take to keep colleagues safe at work.

If you need to complete a risk assessment, you can do so by clicking here