| Number of our patients confirmed with COVID-19 during the pandemic |
Number of positive COVID-19 patients who have been discharged during the pandemic |
Number of patients who have died in our hospitals who tested positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic |
Number of patients entered by the Trust into a COVID-19 research trial to date |
Number of COVID-19 positive patients who are inpatients with us today |
Number of our staff absent due to ill-health or isolation today |
| 1172
(1169) |
776
(772) |
332
(329) |
113
(113) |
64
(68) |
–
(615) |
1. Sampling for COVID-19 – Changes to swabbing process
 As the demand for COVID-19 testing has increased, it has become evident that there are emerging issues with supplies of reagents in some laboratories. Therefore in an effort to ensure we are able to continue testing and reporting on COVID-19 results in a timely manner, we have decided to move our testing to a new laboratory for a few days.
The move means that we are no longer asking colleagues to use dry black swabs to take samples, but to move to using white oropharyngeal swab kits for the time being until supplies of reagent are restored.
Further details of the new process to take swabs is available in the attached poster. Please ensure this process is followed carefully as failure to do so will result in samples being rejected and discarded.
| Triple bagging swab samples for safety
Remember when you are bagging your swab sample, you must ensure the red topped bottle is first put in a clear specimen bag, this should then be placed in a clear zip lock bag and finally packaged in a blue specimen bag alongside any paperwork.
|
2. Social distancing – looking after your wellbeing
 Social distancing doesn’t only apply when you are standing in the queue of a supermarket or getting your lunch, social distancing is now a way of life as we manage our response to COVID-19. Make sure this is observed whatever you are doing.
Remember the two metre rule, whether you work in an office or ward, you should be taking steps to limit close contact with colleagues, make good use of the available spaces and technologies we have available and keep yourself safe and well.
Next week the Trust starts work to examine our estate to make sure that office spaces and other communal areas comply fully with the guidance published by the Government on safe working spaces.
3. Our Wellbeing Sanctuary: Take time for you
Your health and wellbeing remains paramount which is why we opened our COVID-19 wellbeing sanctuary based at The Learning Works, Unett Street, Smethwick, and would recommend you take advantage of what is on offer. The Sanctuary is accessible to all colleagues and offers a range of health and wellbeing activities. You can also pop in for a coffee and chat, or just to relax. Daily sanctuary sessions include:
· Deep Relaxation and Breathing through Soundscape – Travel from the peaks of the Himalayas to the depths of the oceans of Bali relaxing in harmonious tranquillity.
· Music Therapy – A time to find inner stillness through the tranquillity of relaxing sound vibrations.
· Restorative Clinical Supervision (Health and Wellbeing Lead) – A safe and confidential space to explore the impact of work pressures.
· Unwind with Mindfulness – Breathe and Relax. Enjoy the power of connection and self-kindness.
Sessions last between 20 and 40 minutes. See the full timetable here. You can book a session by calling 0121 507 5886.
4. Visionable – “new normal” for care locally
 Visionable is our online tool that enables us to hold virtual clinics with patients via a videolink working from both laptops or desktops. Patients can use their mobile phones or a tablet. The Visionable system is now available for colleagues and will be the default system to use for clinic appointments. A handful of pre-agreed exceptions for certain circumstances will be in place where a face-to-face appointment is necessary. Visionable enables clinicians to see patients safely whilst practicing social distancing. It also supports the involvement of family members who do not live locally.
To see how Visionable works look at the film here where Consultant Paediatrician Nick Makwana demonstrates a typical virtual consultation using the platform. Further information on the usage is available in the attached Standard Operating Procedure.
For more information on the new system or to obtain your access, contact Mark Whitehouse on markwhitehouse@nhs.net
5. Uniforms – please cover up outside
Colleagues are reminded that uniforms are used to protect and identify staff as well as protect patients, and during the pandemic it is especially important that all staff who wear a uniform, strictly follow the uniform policy. This means that if you have to wear your uniform whilst travelling home from work you must cover it up so it is not identifiable, and if you must leave the site during your lunch break for a cigarette – you must ensure your uniform is completely covered. The Trust has been receiving complaints from our neighbours about seeing staff smoking on our boundary lines, which gives a poor impression of the Trust to onlookers. Uniform must absolutely not be worn outside whilst shopping. You can find the Uniform Policy on Connect here. |
This is our everyday bulletin. Please use this bulletin and cascade arrangements within care and corporate groups to guide your actions. Throughout May we are determined to reduce avoidable harm and death in the people we are taking care of. Kindness remains the guiding principle of all the actions in our work to tackle the virus – kindness in how we look after patients, visitors, and one another.