COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 30 October

October 30, 2020

The end of the week is here and so is another COVID-19 bulletin. As you may have surmised, owing to the increased activity around the Coronavirus you’ll be seeing these bulletins from Monday to Friday until the activity dips once more. ‘Numbers not statistics’ will remain a once a week update.

There’s a lot of change taking place at the moment so please make sure you catch up with the latest bulletins throughout the week, as even if some points seem familiar you may very well find the details have been updated a great deal.

As we head into the weekend let’s remember our vow of kindness in all cases and push forward through this latest challenge together.

1. Scrubs. Again.

Regretfully the situation with scrubs is becoming critical. People are still throwing scrubs away, stockpiling them or taking them home to launder – often wearing them outside the workplace. Please stop doing this.

Scrubs should, when finished with, be deposited in the blue trollies so they can be laundered and made ready for the next colleague that needs them. You may want to get home quicker, or even start quicker in the morning, but this is in every sense a case of “don’t take your work home with you”.

Managers and team leaders are asked to relay this message in the strongest of terms: Offenders can and will face disciplinary action if they do not follow Trust guidelines regarding scrubs.

2. Have you been fit tested for our current supply of face masks?

As you know, it is going to be as important as ever to be as flexible as we can regarding our use of PPE.

Our stock of PPE is ever changing as in-use options are replenished and new masks become available. It’s critical that colleagues stay up to date with the availability of masks that they have been fit tested for.

If you have been fit tested for a mask that is now discontinued or is short on supply (currently the Alpha 3030V or 3M 1863 mask), please ensure you book into a face mask fit testing clinic as soon as possible by contacting 0121 507 5050 or ext 5050 internally. We have plenty of the 3M 1863+/9330 and half face silicone masks, there is no overall shortage of supply.

Testing is available at both Sandwell and City sites on Monday to Friday, 8AM to 4PM.

Protecting your skin from damage beneath PPE

If you are finding that your masks are uncomfortable or are causing you issues with your skin, please take the time to read the helpful guidance produced by the Tissue Viability team for colleagues to protect and treat skin from damage beneath PPE.

3. Personal Protective Equipment guidance

Please follow the guidance below in regards to donning, removal and disposal of PPE (personal protective equipment):

4. Have you visited the Wellbeing Sanctuary yet?

The mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues is paramount especially during this current pandemic which is why we are inviting colleagues to visit our Wellbeing Sanctuary – a place of calm.

The sanctuary gives colleagues a chance to de-stress and relax in a confidential safe place.

Do you fancy a free:

Massage
Chill out downtime over a tea/coffee and a biscuit
A chat – a listening ear or a chance to talk about anything in confidence
Meditation
Mindfulness
Relaxation hypnotherapy
Music therapy

The Wellbeing Sanctuary is based at Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY. There is free on site parking.

To book yourself a free session please call 0121 507 5886, or for further details please see the daily sanctuary information sheet.