COVID-19 bulletin: Friday 14 May

May 14, 2021

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

1. New: Every Action Counts

As services begin to be restored across our sites and visiting is introduced, it’s important that you all recognise that each action you take has a big impact. We all have a responsibility to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

People with COVID-19 can have very mild or no symptoms at all. This means they can transmit the virus to others without being aware of it.

Many of you have had your first and second dose of your COVID-19 vaccinations, but that doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down.

We all need to continue to be careful and do things differently to what we would normally do for a little while longer.

So please make sure you do the following:

• You should always follow the rules, even when with colleagues, family, or friends
• You can still spread the virus to others, even if you have been vaccinated
• Observing Infection Prevention and Control measures helps keep your colleagues, patients, family and friends safe from coronavirus
• Make sure you do you weekly COVID-19 saliva test (LAMP) – to book call 0121 507 2664 and select option 6 – see below for more details
• There is no such thing as a ‘work bubble’. The virus can still spread between colleagues, so it is important to wear a mask and maintain physical distancing when on breaks and outside of work
• If you see something, say something – it is ok to gently remind colleagues, patients, and visitors to make space, fix or change their PPE, or observe other measures

We’re all in this together – it has been a challenging year and taking care of each other is important. If you need help, ask for it.

Watch this video for more information:

2. New: Rapid testing helping to keep Eid celebrations safe

Colleagues may be aware of a pioneering government-backed rapid testing programme based at Sandwell’s Yemeni Cultural Centre Mosque which is making regular testing available to anyone in the local community.

This joint effort by Sandwell Council, the borough’s Yemeni Community Association and the UK Health Security Agency is part of the government’s ongoing drive to increase the availability of testing and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

We would urge colleagues to recommend this testing programme to family and friends so that the community can celebrate Eid safely.

The testing programme will now be rolled out across other places of worship in the borough.

The government has also published additional guidance setting out how to celebrate religious festivals including Eid safely, with reminders to avoid large gatherings, to continue to practise hands, face, space and only congregate outside.

3. Updated: National NHS support for India

The COVID-19 situation in India is severe and distressing. Many colleagues have loved ones overseas and are naturally extremely concerned about their wellbeing.

Many of you have been asking how you can best support the crisis in India. NHS England are coordinating a response from the NHS including donations of equipment and remote clinical support.

Our Trust is actively engaged in these discussions and arrangements. The NHS response is coordinated nationally, with support focusing on advice to surge hospitals, remote monitoring/management, clinician to clinician telelink opportunities and equipment supply.

A dedicated email has been set up nationally to coordinate offers of support from across the NHS to ensure that support is targeted to the areas of greatest need. Please email nhsi.indiaaidoffers@nhs.net if you would like to help.

Donations are being received by the Disasters Emergency Committee which is helping to ensure that essentials get to medical staff and vulnerable communities as quickly as possible. The South Asian Heritage NHS Leaders Staff Network has co-ordinated with other health care organisations for fundraising too.

We have added a translated voiceover to our awake proning video through the kindness of Dr Anand Arora, Consultant in Intensive Care and Anesthetics. On providing the translation and voiceover he commented: “Awake proning can be life-saving, especially when there is a resource crunch and lack of oxygen supply and hospital beds. It is being followed by those infected in India at home because of the current terrible situation. I hope that this video will reach those who are unable to get to hospital and that ultimately it saves lives. I would urge colleagues to share this so we can get instructions on how to carry out this important technique out there.”

We have shared the video across our social media platforms where it is being widely viewed and shared, and would encourage you to spread the message.

4. Updated: Mental health and wellbeing during pandemic is as vital as ever

As many of you will have seen, it is Mental Health Awareness Week and there are those of you who have experienced a mental health problem or know someone who has – especially during these testing times as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. This could be anything from anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, stress and more. Supporting the wellbeing of colleagues across the Trust remains vital and delivering this in COVID-safe ways is one of our top priorities.

Support comes in many different forms, from talking to someone, switching off and recharging, to getting active and connecting with nature; whatever works for you we are here to help.

So don’t forget – there are lots of options wellbeing services available for Trust colleagues. Click the links below to find out more.

• Wellbeing resources and information
• Top tips on improving your mood, dealing with stress and the every mind matters plan
• Useful information from our counselling service partner
• Join in with get walking month this May

As a Trust, we have seen first-hand the focus on providing first class patient care during these unprecedented times. But remember, it’s also important to take a moment, process the last year and think about what support you might need.

Lesley Writtle is one of our Non-Executive Directors, but also served as CEO at a neighbouring mental health trust. Here she shares her thoughts on how we can seek help and deal with any issues we may be facing:

5. Updated: Weekly COVID-19 saliva testing – keeping ourselves safe

We’d like to thank all of you who have registered for their weekly COVID saliva test (LAMP testing) – it remains an important part of keeping the virus at bay.

The only way to manage COVID-19 on a long term basis and to move away from the constraints of social distancing and wearing masks is to have a well-established and universally adopted testing programme where colleagues test themselves regularly and results are available quickly.

Saliva tests give us the opportunity to carry out a non-invasive, pain-free test, and to have very reliable results returned quickly. As a Trust there is an expectation that all colleagues who attend sites more than once a week carry out a LAMP test on a weekly basis.

The table below shows the numbers of staff registered, those testing and the numbers that have tested more than once for each Group.  To date 38 per cent of colleagues are registered to undertake LAMP testing.

The percentage of staff that have been using the  test is 28 per cent. Of those, 84 per cent are continuing to take the test.

LAMP testing is open to both clinical and non-clinical colleagues. It is vital that we continue to test despite colleagues having had the COVID vaccination and infection rates starting to drop.

If you haven’t already, you can now book a kit collection slot by calling 0121 507 2664 and selecting option 6. Further information on LAMP testing can be found in the attached FAQs.

6. Reminder: Swabbing for safety – Ensuring we protect our patients throughout their care pathway

As the numbers of COVID positive patients decreases, more of our focus returns to the restoration and recovery of our services. However, it is also essential that we also maintain patient safety and uphold Infection Prevention and Control principles.

One of the key methods to protecting patients from COVID-19 is to ensure we swab and screen patients at the right times whilst they are in our care to ensure they do not pose an infection risk to other patients or to colleagues.

Guidance on swabbing differs from area to area, so it’s important that colleagues take the time to understand their responsibility.

Please take the time to read the pathway guidance linked below as well as the ‘To swab or not to swab’ poster for further guidance on your responsibility to swab test patients in our care.

• Unplanned Admissions Swabbing Pathway
• To swab or not to swab poster

Colleagues should be aware that a new elective swabbing pathway was recently signed off defining the COVID-19 swabbing pathway for patients attending green wards for elective surgery.

All patients are instructed to adhere to social distancing for seven days prior to their admission, and must self-isolate from the point of having their COVID-19 swab.

All patients must have a telephone pre-assessment appointment booked and for those who require an interpreter or carers to attend with them (e.g. if patient has Dementia/learning difficulties) then these patients must be booked a face-to-face pre-op appointment at Rowley Regis Hospital.

• Elective Swabbing Pathway.

7. Reminder: Vaccines are still available – make sure you book your appointment

If you are yet to get the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, you can still book in to get your jab at either Tipton Sports Academy vaccination centre or at the Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall.

The hub at Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Road, is running Monday to Sunday, 8am to 7pm. Book your slot via the national booking website.  You can also use this link to book an appointment locally to your home. For the Saddlers Shopping Centre follow this link to book: Walsall Saddlers Centre

We advise all colleagues to take the time to read the COVID-19 guide for healthcare workers.

Please ensure you take your Staff ID with you when you attend your appointment as it’s important you’re able to confirm you are eligible for the vaccination.