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COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 19 February

February 19, 2021

COVID bulletin frequency is changing

As regular readers will be aware, the number of inpatients with COVID that we are caring for across the Trust has started to fall, and although we are not relaxing our vigilance, we are however reducing the frequency of our COVID bulletins.

From next week (commencing Monday 22 February) we will be distributing two bulletins a week – on Tuesdays and Thursdays – following our strategic meetings. This means that if an important decision regarding our response to COVID is made during our strategic meeting you will hear about it quickly. If we need to get a message out to the whole organisation regarding COVID on a different day, then we will issue a special bulletin with the important message.

We will only issue a bulletin with information you need, so please ensure you read the bulletins when they are distributed.

In today’s COVID-19 bulletin

Reminder:

 1. Reminder: Keeping you in the loop with LAMP testing

Earlier this month we began our switch to LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) testing from the Lateral Flow tests. These remain screening tests for asymptomatic staff. If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID then you must still self-isolate and obtain a PCR swab test and not just wait for the LAMP test result.

LAMP testing is a weekly test where you collect a saliva sample first thing in the morning (before you brush your teeth or have your breakfast). You collect your sample at home and as you come into work, you deposit your sample in to one of the collection boxes which is then sent off to the lab to be tested. LAMP test results are processed quicker than the usual PCR swab tests and notifications of both positive and negative results sent back to you via text message.

Instructions on how to perform the test can be accessed by clicking here.

If the result comes back positive you and your household will need to immediately isolate for 10 days and you will not require a PCR swab test to confirm the result.

Colleagues in the following directorates are part of the first stage of roll out and should already be completing the new tests.

  • Admitted Care A
  • Admitted Care B
  • Emergency Care
  • Medical infusion Suite
  • Gynae and Gynae Oncology

If you work in one of these directorates and you are yet to register or collect your test, please call 0121 507 2664 option 6, Monday to Friday between 8am–6pm or Saturday and Sunday on 07816992873, between 8:30am-4pm  to register and book your kit collection slot. The roll out plan is available here.

By 22 March, we will have testing available for all staff. You should continue with the lateral flow testing until you move to the LAMP testing programme.

If you have kit left over from your lateral flow tests please return these to your service area and we will arrange for left over testing kit to be collected. If you are at the end of your Lateral Flow Test kit and not due to transition over before you run out of kit, please contact the Community Contact Centre on 0121 507 2664 option 6.

You can read the Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here

 2. Reminder: REACT-ing to support mental wellbeing

The Trust is training more REACT Practitioners to support the mental wellbeing of colleagues. The training is a half day online course that can be completed using any type of tablet or laptop and it can be done from home. The equipment used does not need to be supplied by the Trust, personal devices are fine.

Here is a link with more information.

The following dates are available with spaces, with training sessions lasting from 9am – 1:30pm

  • 26 February
  • 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 16 and 22 March.

If you would like to become a REACT Practitioner, please ask your line manager to email Mandeep.gill11@nhs.net and provide your name, place of work and which course you would prefer to attend.

Staff must be willing and able to provide support to colleagues within the Trust and it is not anticipated that this would take more than a maximum of one hour per week. We especially welcome staff to complete the training from the surgical services group and also any staff who work on wards and areas that have been particularly impacted by COVID. However, all colleagues may request a place.

Please note: This training is externally purchased by the Trust and failure to attend once booked may incur a financial penalty.

3. Reminder: Annual leave carry forward

Further to previous guidance about annual leave for the year 2020/21 we have updated our guidance which means that:

  • Any colleague who has been unable to take their annual leave entitlement due to the impact of COVID-19 on our services, has the opportunity to carry over up to 10 days. This must be agreed by the line manager and documented (updated on ESR,  the erostering system or other leave booking systems). The line manager will need to agree that it has been impossible for the individual to take their leave during the 2020/21 leave year.
  • Colleagues who have more than 10 days annual leave entitlement remaining may be able to carry over up to 20 days. This will need to be agreed by the line manager, approved by the Group triumvirate, or departmental lead, for corporate areas and signed off by the relevant Executive Director. The expectation is that the leave that is carried over will be taken during 2021/22 at a time agreed with the line manager and service manager. There may be opportunity for colleagues to be paid for some of this leave entitlement should they prefer, however the process and criteria for this is to be determined.

Line managers will be required to confirm that any annual leave carried over is due to the impact of COVID-19 on the services that the Trust provides and the need for staff to be at work.  Such authorisation must not  be due to an employee’s holiday arrangements being disrupted due to for instance, travel restrictions and/or national lockdown arrangements. All discussions about annual leave carry over must be completed by 28 February.

Please note: Usual arrangements apply for those with accrued annual leave relating to sickness absence, maternity, paternity or other leave.

During the week starting 8 March, managers will receive an email from the ESR team asking them to provide the relevant information regarding leave carry over days for their team members.  Managers are asked to not send any information about leave carry over to the ESR Helpdesk prior to this date.