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Changes in logistics

November 18, 2024

Now the Procurement and Logistics service at SWB is up and running, stakeholders newly transitioning from City to MMUH should be reminded that the Logistics combines a number of specialties that were previously separate including waste, linen, non-patient facing portering, materials management, receipts and distribution, sterile services, theatres stores, the post room and transport.

See below a summary of the important changes that you need to be aware of:

Waste: The process for the movement, collection and disposal of waste will remain as before, but all Logistics Operatives will now work to a pre-defined schedule.  The schedules have been developed based on the expected levels of activity.

Linen: There is no change to the existing service. The Elis (external supplier) contract has been extended by 12 months.  For MMUH, there will be pre-packed deliveries to each ward area.

Non-patient facing portering: the logistics team will be responsible for the distribution of:

  • Pathology samples
  • Medical gases to hubs (in partnership with portering)
  • Medical pumps
  • Movement of mattresses and beds
  • Pharmacy Items

This will be with immediate effect at MMUH and Sandwell and at City from Sunday 10 November.

Materials Management/Scan4Safety: The materials management team has been rebranded as the Scan4Safety Team, led by Lisa Southall. The new Scan4Safety Team will provide a full ordering and stock put away service for managed items. Stock levels will be managed by the new inventory management system (Genesis). The team has implemented standardised stock rooms to make things easier for clinical staff.

Receipts and distribution: The team are operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The City Warehouse will close in 2025.  At MMUH, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will operate alongside logistics personnel. A video relating to the AGVs can be found here.

Sterile services: The sterile services team now operates from MMUH. The set up and external provider will remain the same until November.

Theatres stores: The team has been rebranded Theatres Scan4Safety. The Team will order and put away stock for theatres.  Stock will be tracked using barcode technology.

The post room: There will be a post sorting area at Sandwell, City and MMUH. Sandwell will be the main hub for the Trust and will become a central sortation area. Royal Mail delivery will be at 8am each day. Royal Mail collection will be up to 8pm. Post will be distributed by the Logistics team between 10am and 2pm each day. BMEC samples will continue to receive Tracking IDs for Unique Samples on site at City.

Transport: The shuttle bus is now stopping at MMUH, as well as continuing with journeys to City and Sandwell. The full shuttle bus schedule can be found here. Community routes and transport routes (including new Pathology routes) between City, Sandwell and MMUH will change from Sunday 10 November, timings have been shared with stakeholders.

To contact our logistics team across any of our sites during Monday – Friday, 7.15am – 6.30pm, please call 0121 507 3869 and select option four.

Should you need to contact Logistics outside of these hours, please see numbers below:

  • MMUH: 0121 507 5846
  • Sandwell: 0121 507 3135
  • City: 0121 507 4945