COVID-19 Bulletin: Thursday 10 February

February 10, 2022

Numbers not statistics: This week (last week) 

Note: Percentages may decrease due to changes in the number of inpatients and in the number of staff members (starters and leavers). 

1. New: The correct PPE will help to curb infection rates

It remains important that all colleagues continue to follow the Trust’s PPE guidance as the number of patients with community acquired COVID-19 who become positive on admission remains high.

We all need to play our part in ensuring the correct equipment is worn, whether you are working within a red, amber or green clinical area, or in a non-clinical space.

As you may recall we enhanced our PPE requirements having risk assessed COVID-19 infection rates and outbreaks within our hospital ward areas. This guidance continues to remain  in place.

Here is a reminder of the requirements:

For all inpatient areas where there is direct patient contact (in both red and amber/green wards), clinical and non-clinical staff who are having patient/bed space contact should wear as a minimum:

• A silicone mask/FFP3 mask – these can be sessional use. Single use gloves and aprons (please ensure you have been fit tested for an FFP3 mask before use). Visors may be necessary in some clinical circumstances as per risk assessment for each individual patient.
• You should wear a fluid-resistant surgical face mask if you do not have direct patient contact. Non-direct patient contact includes walking on a ward area, clerical staff, estates and facilities staff. Disposable gloves/aprons should be worn for contact with patients/immediate environment. Porters who are transferring patients should wear FFP3/silicone face mask when transferring patients to red and amber wards.
• If you are visiting the ward from another area, a minimum requirement when entering the unit will be to wear a fluid resistant surgical face mask.

We have also made the wearing of surgical masks mandatory for all inpatients and outpatients. This means that all patients must wear fluid resistant surgical masks whilst they are under our care. Masks do not need to be worn whilst patients are sleeping, eating or drinking. Exceptions are for patients who are under clinical exemptions. Other exceptions include women in labour, patients without capacity, including those who are not able to put on or take off their own mask, and for children under the age of 12.

Staff must follow their individual risk assessment for PPE. Occasionally this will recommend a higher level of protection depending on your individual assessment.

We will continue to risk assess our infection prevention and control guidance regularly in light of changing COVID-19 restrictions, hospital rates, outbreaks and community infections.

Do you need a disposable FFP3 masks?

• If you require disposable FFP3 mask please call ext. 4938 (City) or ext. 2824 (Sandwell).
• If you are in charge of a clinical area, please ensure you have an ample supply of these masks.

Note: We must remind colleagues they should not be reliant on their silicone mask only.

If you have not been fit tested for a disposable masks please book an appointment via ESR. If you have issues booking through ESR, please call ext. 5195.

2. New: Keeping the channels of communication open between patients and their loved ones

Whilst visiting restrictions still remain in place, colleagues should continue to ensure that patients on their wards are given support in communicating with their loved ones.

You can do this by using the available iPads and mobile phones. If you don’t have this equipment, then please contact IT on ext 4050 to request devices.

Keeping the channels of communication open between patients and their relatives is an important element in helping to aid their recovery and also in supporting with their mental health whilst they remain in our care.

Visiting restrictions remain in place to protect patients and staff and is reviewed on a regular basis.

The current guidance is below:

• Visiting remains in place for vulnerable patients, those patients who are at the end of life, those with limited mental capacity and a parent/guardian supporting their child.
• Birthing partners are allowed to accompany a woman who is in established labour. The partner will need to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test taken that day. Once a negative result is obtained they will be allowed into the Delivery Suite. Partners can currently continue to accompany the mum-to-be to any appointments and scans. Visiting on inpatient wards in our maternity department is limited to partners or birthing partners only for one hour a day. Loved ones should call the ward to arrange their visiting time.
• Vulnerable patients attending our emergency or outpatient departments can be accompanied by one person.
• Where visiting is allowed in exceptional circumstances, please ensure that this is agreed with the ward, is limited to one visitor and crucially that they are able to evidence a negative lateral flow test from that day and do not have any COVID-19 related symptoms.

3. New: COVID-19 vaccines: read up on the facts

Vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed quickly – but they have been developed with great care.

Working together, doctors and scientists have analysed the results of trials. Yet still there remains a great deal of misinformation around the vaccines – whether it’s shared through social media, WhatsApp groups, or through the media.

It’s important that we help to educate those around us with the right information about the vaccines which are there to protect us against this deadly virus.

Imperial College London has developed an informative document which details the facts about vaccines, including information around immunity and pregnancy.

You can read the document in full by clicking here.

4. Updated: Drop-in vaccination clinic at Rowley Regis Hospital

A drop-in vaccination clinic will take place at Rowley Regis Hospital on Thursday 17 February, 9am-4pm on the Westwood ward. The vaccination hub will be administering first, second and booster does of COVID-19 vaccines plus third doses for individuals aged 12 years and over with severe immunosuppression. The clinic is open for all colleagues and members of the public. You can also get your flu jab – it’s not too late.

If it’s more convenient for you to access City Hospital or Tipton Sports Academy, the vaccination clinics are open every day between 8am-6pm for walk-ins. You can also book an appointment between 8am-7pm by calling the vaccination hub on 0121 507 4404.

Act now and keep yourself safe. Visit a vaccination hub or drop-in clinic to get your flu jab and COVID-19 vaccinations.

5. Reminder: Supporting your wellbeing at work – Does your staff rest area need a refresh?

You will have seen in Tuesday’s COVID-19 bulletin, the many services offered to support your health and wellbeing. Having a comfortable place to relax and rewind during our breaks at work is just one of the areas we are looking to improve.

So, does your staff rest area need a refresh? If it’s looking a little tired or could do with a fresh lick of paint or a furniture upgrade, let us know. We are happy to consider requests for new furniture or equipment to improve rest areas and also requests for minor works such as painting and shelving. If your rest room needs a freshen up, please complete the Staff Rest Room Refresh Request Form (Word) and email it to Dinah McLannahan, Chief Finance Officer (dinah.mclannahan@nhs.net). She will then get in touch to progress your requests.

6. Reminder: Be a cleaning champion

The Cleaning for Confidence campaign, led by the Midlands’ Nursing and Workforce team, helps to stop the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging colleagues to become cleaning champions with a 20-minute e-learning programme designed to further their knowledge of good cleaning practice.

Keeping NHS premises safe and clean for our patients is a key and shared commitment, and this has never been more important than now. A clean workplace is our first and best defence in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and other infections. Every person within the NHS family has a part to play in maintaining that commitment to keeping people safe.

Take a few minutes to access the Cleaning for Confidence e-learning programme here. The programme promotes further knowledge of good cleaning practice and the personal precautions needed to ensure the risk of environmental transmission both for patients and staff is reduced. This aims to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and, as always, reinforcing other behaviours that can help minimise the outbreak of other infections.

7. Reminder: Regular testing is still important

Although restrictions may have eased, working within the healthcare sector still means we may come into contact with vulnerable people, colleagues and the general public. It’s important we do our bit to keep everyone safe from COVID-19, and we can do so through regular testing. Thank you to all colleagues who continue to do a weekly LAMP test. Even if you are vaccinated it is vital that you register and carry out the weekly tests as they will help identify if you’re asymptomatic. Your saliva sample is ONLY used to test for COVID-19 and is disposed of after testing.

If you are not registered for LAMP you must do a lateral flow test twice a week. This is the national requirement for all staff. With this in mind, please ensure you have adequate stock levels. Need to order lateral flow tests kits? Click here to order. There are seven lateral flow tests per box, per order, to your household address.

If you are still unsure how to complete your LAMP test, be sure to check out the step-by-step guide in the video below.

Please be aware that as of 14 February, any colleagues registering for LAMP testing or those who are collecting new kits, will get labels rather than a request form.

The latest data by group is below: