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COVID-19 Bulletin: Wednesday 6 January

January 6, 2021

  1. New message: Delivering healthcare in challenging times

Regardless of your role, your job title, your group or function, working for the Trust means you are directly involved in the fight against the pandemic. We work together to deliver healthcare to the communities we serve, and even as we face ever increasing pressure and new challenges as numbers rise, we are supporting each other. It is a fact that it is going to get worse before it gets better, so we all must consider how to navigate our way safely through to a vaccinated world. We anticipate the new national lockdown will in the next few weeks slow the rise in cases, and start to bring the virus under control.  We recognise that work does look very different to some colleagues as many of us have changed how we work, deliver our service or even have temporarily changed our job roles. We remain grateful to every colleague who has reacted with kindness to support colleagues, and we recognise your efforts in forming our response to COVID. If there is anything you think we could do to make your working lives a little easier, please let us know by emailing swbh.comms@nhs.net.

  1. New message: COVID-19 vaccine Q&A session next Tuesday – your questions answered

On Tuesday 12 January at midday the Trust is holding an all staff Q&A session via WebEx. Experts from R&D and across the Trust will be on hand to share information about vaccinations including how they are tested and approved. We will also describe our arrangements for staff and patient vaccinations and answer your burning questions.

You can submit questions in advance to swbh.comms@nhs.net or use the Q&A function on the day.

If you are unable to attend we will be updating our Q&As and sharing them after the event. For our current FAQs please click here.

To join the WebEx please follow the link and instructions below:

  1. New message: New appointments for second dose of COVID vaccine

Further to our update on the COVID vaccination programme published in the bulletin yesterday, Walsall Healthcare has advised that all colleagues who have had their first dose of the vaccine, should not attend their appointment to have a second injection as it will be rearranged. This is in line with national guidance changing, as second vaccinations are now taking place up to 12 weeks after your first jab, rather than the original three weeks.  The four UK Chief Medical Officers agree that at this stage of the pandemic prioritising the first doses for as many people as possible on the priority list will protect the greatest number of at risk people overall, in the shortest possible time.

So, if you have an appointment for your 2nd Covid-19 vaccination at Walsall Manor Hospital between 07.01.2021 – 03.02.2021 this will be rescheduled to approximately 10 weeks after your 1st vaccination.  DO NOT ATTEND for your current 2nd appointment. 

You will get an email confirmation of your new appointment or a call from Walsall Manor. Please do everything you can to honour this appointment. If you absolutely cannot make it, please contact covacc.enquiries@walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk or 01922 444023.

  1. New message: Please beware – COVID vaccination scam!  

Several reports are circulating of people being contacted by fraudsters offering the COVID-19 vaccine.

The reports show text messages being sent providing a link for people to register their details to apply for the vaccine, some of which require payment. These text messages and links are not sent from, or linked to, the NHS. When you are eligible for the vaccine you will be contacted by your GP. NHS and other frontline colleagues will be contacted directly by your employer.

The NHS will:

  • Never ask you to press a button on your keypad
  • Never ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details.

If you receive a text message from an unfamiliar number:

  • Do not respond to it or click on any links
  • Do not enter any personal or log on details
  • Do not make any payment

Please see NHS COVID scam information sheet for more details.

Need to contact your local fraud specialists? The team can be contacted using the details below:

Sophie Coster, Senior Consultant, Lead Local Counter Fraud Specialist:

Bradley Vaughan, Managing Consultant, Counter Fraud Client Manager:

  1. Updated message: Responsible use of social media

As we work through these extremely challenging times, it is easy for us working in health to spot the fake news items that can cause such distress and anxiety to the populations we serve. An item in social media can be distributed at speed and be shared countless times, and once published is impossible to guarantee it was not seen or shared before deletion if the writer changes their mind about what they want to say on the record. It is out there, in public for all to see, and comment on. Screenshots can be taken in a second, and they can be shared even if the post is deleted. It really is a channel to respect and use with care and consideration.

Of course social media is also a very useful tool which allows people to interact with one another, to share information, knowledge and opinions. It penetrates every facet of our society, with few workplaces exempt from its influence. Hence it has never been more important for all colleagues to be mindful of the both the benefits and risks associated with using social media. Please take care and be alert when using social media. When using your own personal social media channels please ensure that you are not breaching patient or staff confidentiality through sharing of identifiable images or information.

This is important as the NHS continues to be in the spotlight particularly from the media, who may be looking for an inside view from staff and get a story taken out of context from your social media channels. Information published on social media channels can quickly go further than your immediate contacts.

If you have any concerns or would like some guidance please contact the Trust press office by emailing  swbh.comms@nhs.net. We provide training in how to use social media responsibly and staff a 24/7 on call rota – contact us OOH through switchboard should you need advice in an emergency.