COVID-19 Bulletin: Friday 5 November

November 5, 2021

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week)

1.    New: Supplier/Representative visits during COVID-19

As we mentioned in last week’s edition of the COVID-19 bulletin, we have been reviewing our current visiting arrangements at the Trust.

Since the start of the pandemic, we have restricted visitors into our hospitals to protect our patients, the public and each other. Whilst the situation is, clearly, still delicate we are planning to reintroduce visiting in a phased manner which also applies to supplier and representative visits.

 To date we have had very few representative visits and this has been in exceptional circumstances – such as when there has been major equipment failure. We are however aware that there are instances where a visit is needed (i.e. routine maintenance, repair, required training, quality control and compliance), and given that the pandemic will continue for the foreseeable future, we’ve re-addressed how we will do this safely.

You can find full guidelines about supplier/representative visits on Connect.

Reminder: In all areas visiting inpatients is permitted for one person at a time for patients who are at end of life and those with limited mental capacity, one parent/guardian of a child as well as other exceptional circumstances.

2.    New: Warning of high COVID-19 case rates in two Sandwell hotspots

People living and working in the Cradley Heath & Old Hill and Rowley areas of Sandwell are being warned to take extra care due to very high rates of COVID-19. Infection rates in the two wards are significantly higher than the average rate for the whole of Sandwell, with more than 130 residents having tested positive in the past week.

Sandwell’s cabinet member for adults, social care and health Councillor Suzanne Hartwell is calling on people to take extra care, use rapid tests at home twice a week and to be particularly vigilant to infections among young people aged 11 to 16 – where the infection rates are highest.

Councillor Hartwell said: “The case rates in Cradley Heath & Old Hill and Rowley are of definite concern as they are significantly higher than the rest of Sandwell, and to see more than 130 individuals test positive in the past week in just two wards is very concerning. I’m asking people living and working in these areas to take extra care to avoid becoming infected and passing COVID-19 on to others.

“In particular, if anyone has COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and book a test. If we don’t self-isolate when we have symptoms we can put other people’s lives at risk. And, most importantly, if you’re not already vaccinated then please book your appointments now.” 

3.   Updated: Unplanned Admissions IPC Pathway

A new version of the pathway for unplanned admissions has now been approved.

Confirmed changes include where to stream patients while awaiting results and what actions must be undertaken if the COVID-19 status of a patient changes. Please can you make sure you replace any printed copies of the old version with this updated version.

You can find the updated guidelines on Connect.

4.     Updated: LAMP keeps lighting the way to everyone’s safety

You should all be aware that our weekly saliva weekly testing programme is available to all colleagues. This non-invasive test that allows you to get reliable results on COVID-19 via a pain-free process.

Recently we’ve seen a drop in numbers of tests, and it’s a trend that’s been going on for some time now. If you’re back from some annual leave – particularly those back from sharing the half term break with their families – please make sure you get back in the flow and do your weekly test.

Start today!

You can register for LAMP testing and book in to a kit collection slot for the weekly test, which requires you to spit into a tube in the morning before you brush your teeth or an hour after you have eaten. When you arrive at work, you can deposit your sample into a red collection box. Many of these are positioned around our acute and community sites. And within 24-48 hours you will get a text message confidentially sent to you alerting you to your results. For a full list of drop off points and for details on how to register, click here.

 A change to your packs

Due to a national shortage, you may notice a change to the saliva specimen tube in your LAMP test kit, the blue topped narrow vial giving way to a differently shaped white topped tube. If you have the new white topped universal tube the amount of saliva required is to the top of the funnel shape in the bottom of the tube. The packaging process for your completed sample remains the same.

This week’s LAMP data group breakdown

5.   Reminder: Act now to get protected

It couldn’t be easier to get vaccinated as we are operating walk-in clinics for the COVID booster jab and flu vaccination at various sites across the Trust.

Alan Parry, Security Officer has had both his flu jab and COVID booster to protect himself and his loved ones.	Security Officer, Zahid Murtaza had his jabs to protect himself and encourages others to do so. He says the jab is easily accessible at work so colleagues should take the opportunity to protect themselves.

What you need to know

If you would prefer to have your flu and COVID vaccination separately, you can split your jabs by booking two separate appointments. You can also let us know when you attend a walk-in clinic.

COVID-19 boosters will be Pfizer and those eligible include those who have had their second dose (including Pfizer or Astra Zeneca) and have no contraindications to the Pfizer vaccination. Astra Zeneca vaccinations will be offered to those unable to receive Pfizer due to medical reasons.

There must be at least six months (182 days) between your second dose of your COVID-19 jab and your booster.

Note: The Sandwell vaccination hub closed permanently as of Sunday 31 October but pop up clinics will be held on 5, 10 and 24 November in the conference room in the Sandwell Education Centre.

The City vaccination hub will remain open seven days a week where colleagues will be able to receive their flu jab and COVID booster.

A pop-up clinic is also operating at Rowley Regis Hospital, where no appointment is needed. The next pop up at Rowley is due 25 November, with walk ins able to come in to Westwood ward from 9am – 4pm. Colleagues will also be able to get their vaccinations at Tipton from now and throughout December.

Any queries should be directed to louise.brown25@nhs.net or mary.parker8@nhs.net.   

6.   Reminder: Monitoring You At Home (MYAH)

A reminder about a unique project for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients monitored via a virtual ward by our clinicians in the community.

Patients referred to the Monitoring You At Home (MYAH) service via their GP or from within the Trust are given an oximeter to measure their oxygen saturation levels for early signs of hypoxia.

 COVID-19 mainly affects the lungs and causes a viral pneumonia that can lead to low oxygen levels. By measuring the oxygen levels using the oximeter probe that sits on the patient’s finger, clinicians are able to identify early when a patient’s health deteriorates and can recommend corrective measures.

 The programme, rapidly closing in on its first anniversary, is for patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and who are not unwell enough to be admitted to hospital but still need to be monitored with oximetry. Those under MYAH are given instructions on how to record their oxygen saturation and their pulse as well as keeping a check on general symptoms.

You can refer your patients to MYAH via Connect

7.   Reminder: Discharge to assess hub (D2A)

The D2A team conduct daily reviews of patients requiring discharges and also put plans in place for those patients who could potentially be discharged.

The team will help with patients on the following pathways:

·       Pathway 1 = Support to recover at home; able to return home with support from health and/or social care.

·       Pathway 2 =  Rehabilitation or short-term care in a 24-hour bed-based setting.

·       Pathway 3 = Require ongoing 24-hour nursing care, often in a bedded setting.

·       Pathway 4 = End of Life pathway.

All wards are encouraged to use the D2A service for support or queries relating to discharge. Usual processes are unchanged but responses are swifter so please ensure your patients are prepared for discharge as soon as they are declared medically optimised.

You can contact the team on 07815 647936, from 8am to 5pm, 7 days per week.

8.   Reminder: Product recall – Obisk brand face masks – type IIR

We have recently received a product recall concerning a brand of Obisk type IIR face masks affecting both ear loop and tie back. Only five batch/lot numbers are affected which are listed below and they can be found on the side of the box.

• 101000345
• 101000346
• 101000348
• 101000349
• 101000350

For further details please see Obisk blue tree face mask information sheet.

Please check any stock you may have of these face masks. If you find any of the five affected batch/lot numbers, please ensure you isolate them and call Lisa Southall on ext. 4938.  

9.   Reminder: Support available to help with stress and anxiety

Managing your stress and psychological health at this time is as important as your physical health. That’s why we offer a number of ways in which we can support you when it comes to your health and wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Hubs, which are now available at Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis, are one of our newest ways of offering help with stress and anxiety.

Focusing on ensuring that colleagues have a good day every day, the new hubs aim to help improve mental health, relieve stress, build resilience and restore balance.

Recognising that colleagues need to be able to access services easily, the new hubs are set to provide much needed health and wellbeing for colleagues closer to their work base.

Services in the new wellbeing hubs include:

• Confidential chat – an opportunity for colleagues to offload and talk about anything which is troubling them
• Meditation
• Relaxation POD (massage chair)

The wellbeing hub is completely confidential, all services and treatments are free of charge for colleagues and delivered by trained wellbeing coaches.

The wellbeing hubs are open every week across all the sites listed below between 8am – 4pm:

• Mondays in the Jayne Wright Therapy Room, Trinity House, Sandwell
• Wednesdays in the therapy room Archer, 1^stfloor, Rowley Regis Hospital
• Fridays in the therapy room, City Gym

To book a session contact the wellbeing team on 0121 507 5886 or 0121 507 3854.

Meanwhile, if you are looking at other ways to destress, then way not try a seated acupressure massage session at The Sanctuary, which is available to all colleagues at the Trust.

Reset your mind and body with a chair massage and help:

• Relieve back, neck and shoulder pain
• Improve your mood
• Reduce your stress and anxiety
• Lift your energy
• Increase your circulation

Note: A full consultation is completed with a therapist prior to the session and the massage is carried out safely over your own clothing. Social distancing measures are in place and PPE and sanitisation is provided on site. 

Available dates:

• Mondays and Tuesdays, between 10am – 3.30pm
• Thursdays, 10am – 5pm

The Sanctuary is based at the Learning Works on Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY. To book please call 0121 507 5886/3854.

For more information about what health and wellbeing support is on available, please click here.