COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 25 January

January 25, 2022

1. New: Colleagues in scope of the new mandatory vaccination legislation have 9 days to get first jab

From 1 April it is mandatory that all health and social care colleagues providing a CQC regulated service are fully vaccinated (1^st and 2^nd doses) against COVID-19. This includes those who have incidental contact with patients as part of their role. If this applies to you and the Trust does not have a record of your vaccination status, you will have received a letter to your home address. The letter asks you to confirm your vaccination status so that the Trust can determine the next steps in terms of your role and employment.

Please respond to this letter and engage with those who will be contacting you about this important matter. The deadline for receiving your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination is 3 February.

The Trust is here to support all colleagues with this new legislation. There are a range of ways you can access more information and support:

• Join the Trust’s COVID-19 vaccination Q&A sessions if you have questions or concerns about the vaccines. These sessions include a panel of clinical experts who can explain how vaccines are made and tested, common side effects and answer any questions.
• Talk to your line manager who will be able to direct you to more information and advice
• Contact occupational health if you are concerned about your own health condition and vaccination
• Contact your trade union representative who will be able to offer advice on the legislation and what it means for you and your role. Trade Unions have also shared updated guidance for colleagues on the new Vaccine as a Condition of Deployment legislation. Colleagues can access this on Connect.
• Join the national webinars that cover common questions about vaccination.
• Read the information, guidance and FAQs on Connect.

Questions and COVID-19 status confirmations (COVID-19 Pass) should be sent to swbh.hr-advice-for-covid-19@nhs.net

2. New: Daily vaccine confidence sessions hosted by clinical professionals

NHS England and NHS Improvement will be running daily drop-in vaccine confidence Q&A sessions from Wednesday 26 January 2022 to February 3, 2022. These sessions are for all NHS staff to attend and will offer an opportunity to ask any specific questions you might have regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Each of these drop-in sessions will be tailored towards a specific audience and hosted by a relevant clinical professional who will answer any questions and signpost you to any additional information. These sessions will provide a safe and supportive environment for you to ask any questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccines.

This is not a forum to discuss the Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) policy or any HR guidance.

Dates and themes are:

• 26 January: 12-1pm – Primary Care
• 27 January: 3-4pm – Vaccines and Fertility
• 28 January: 10-11am – Vaccines and the Science
• 29 January: 7-8pm – Vaccines and Your Faith
• 30 January: 7-8pm – Vaccines and Your Faith
• 31 January: 12-1pm – Vaccines for Nursing and Midwifery Staff
• 1 February: 1-2pm – Vaccines and Fertility
• 2 February: 12-1pm – Vaccines for Healthcare Students
• 3 February: 4-5pm – Vaccines and the Science

To register, go to https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/staff-vaccination-daily-q-and-a

3. Reminder: Getting your COVID-19 vaccination

Walk-in slots and booked appointments are available at the Trust hubs.

You can also book an appointment via the national booking website.

4. Reminder: Join a COVID-19 Q&A session

Colleagues who are yet to get their COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged to join one of the online Q&A sessions that are taking place this week to find out more about vaccination.

If you are unable to join one of the sessions, you can listen back the discussions by watching the recording.

These sessions are a safe space for colleagues to have an opportunity to understand and ask questions about how the vaccines are developed and tested, side-effects and the new legislation on mandatory vaccination for health and social care staff.

Session dates and times are for remaining sessions are below – there is no requirement to book, simply login using the link below:

5. Reminder: PPE requirements

We recently enhanced our PPE requirements having risk assessed COVID-19 infection rates and outbreaks within our hospital ward areas.

For all inpatient areas where there is direct patient contact (in both red and amber 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.

Please note: 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.