COVID-19 Bulletin: Tuesday 26 January
January 26, 2021
In today’s COVID-19 bulletin
New:
Updated:
Reminder:
- New: Continue to book your COVID jab
You may have seen the national news this morning regarding the supply of the Pfizer vaccine in the 
UK. This may have implications for the vaccine programme that we run from the hospital hub at Sandwell.
We are talking to our colleagues across Birmingham and the Black Country to establish the best routes to continue working together as a system to vaccinate health and social care workers, vulnerable patients and others in the priority categories. We will update you on the outcome of these discussions over the next few days.
In the meantime if you have an appointment make sure you attend as the clinic will be open until 8pm today and tomorrow.
In addition, we still have more than 200 slots available today and tomorrow so please book by calling 0121 507 4112. Some of you may have been contacted about bringing your appointment forward, you can do this by calling the booking line.
- New: Celebrities urge communities to save lives through vaccine
One of Birmingham’s much loved sons – actor, writer and presenter Adil Ray – well known as Citizen Khan from the BBC sitcom where he plays the self-appointed leader and voice of Muslim Birmingham, has worked with fellow celebrities to produce a film dispelling some common myths around the COVID vaccine.
Recognising the volume of misinformation circulating about the vaccine, and worried that ignorance would discourage people to get vaccinated, Adil mobilised his colleagues to save lives by sharing their personal thoughts, experiences and beliefs about COVID in the following film.
He commented: “After taking part in the Stay At Home campaign last year, we felt that once again we had to do something to help. Unfortunately we are now fighting another pandemic – misinformation, where communities who are ignored are preyed upon and voices that endanger lives are amplified.
“Whilst these communities must accept some responsibility too, and take the vaccine to save lives, we all must do what we can and come together to fight this deadly virus. We hope this video can help dispel some of the myths and offer some encouragement for everyone to take the vaccine.”
You can watch the film by clicking below:
- Updated: Hygiene is key to keeping Trust clean
Keeping our sites safe and clean is a commitment that we all share. It is something that has never been more important. Evidence shows that a range of actions such as wearing PPE, keeping our distance in and out of work, hand hygiene as well as clean sites will help to significantly reduce the spread of infection.
A programme of e-learning – ‘Cleaning for Confidence’ – has been developed to support staff in ‘scrubbing up’ on their knowledge of good cleaning practice, as well as helping to reinforce other actions that help to stop the spread of infection. Colleagues are being asked to take the time to log in to the new training package that’s available through e Learning for Health.
To help us ensure everything is clean and safe to use, we’ve recently introduced ‘I am clean’ stickers (see photograph) in ward areas. The new stickers help build confidence in our practices and processes and they are a welcome sign to patients.
To find out more about the Infection Prevention and Control practices and programmes, contact ext. 5900.
- Reminder: Keeping well throughout the pandemic
As we face the peak of the third wave, it’s important that you continue to take care of yourself and there are a number of ways to help you to do this at our Trust.
If you haven’t already discovered them, we have rest areas that you can use to relax and unwind during your shift. The list of these rest areas on Connect, but is not definitive, so please do speak to your line manager for more information about their locations.
You may also consider taking advantage of our energy pods to help you recharge. We have three state of the art energy pods available in AMUs based at City and Sandwell, and another within maternity at City.
The groups are also currently collating ideas regarding what you would like to see to aid your wellbeing. We have already had requests for items such as radios and massagers. If you feel that there is something that could really help the wellbeing of your team then please email swbh.wellbeing@nhs.net and the team will consider your request.
Temporary closure of staff gym facilities
Due to the continued high case rate in the community and the lockdown restrictions we have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close our gym facilities. This is to avoid any potential transmission.
The changing rooms and shower areas will remain open at Sandwell and we are looking to see if we can safely reopen the City shower facilities.
We realise that exercising is vital for our health and wellbeing so would encourage you to access online classes or apps to maintain your health and fitness or if you want to start a fitness programme.
The NHS publishes a list of apps that are useful for health and wellbeing and can be accessed here.