Staff Update 19/06/20

19 June 2020

Content:

  • Stay Safe masks/social distancing Posters
  • Family/relative communication
  • Outpatients Clinics
  • Repeat Testing of Patients who have a Negative Admission Screen  
  • Mental Health Crisis Lines
  • Antibody Test results
  • Face masks
  • NHS Covid Heroes

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STAY SAFE CAMPAIGN POSTERS

Branded posters related to wearing face masks, social distancing, cleaning hands and other measures are now available to download on the staff covid website

https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/posters/ (password STHKcovid19)

Please ensure that all posters are printed in full colour (printers have been adjusted so this is possible)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT COMMUNICATION WITH PATIENT’S RELATIVES/CARERS

Visiting restrictions remain in place across the Trust so it’s extremely important to ensure we communicate regularly and effectively with relatives and carers. Please ensure:

Regular updates on a patient’s condition is communicated to the nominated relative/carer (use of iPad or mobile phones for patients to talk directly with relatives should be encouraged)

  • Telephone calls to wards are answered in a timely fashion
  • Relatives/carers are contacted by a member of the clinical team to answer any relevant questions they may have
  • Following a bereavement please ensure relatives/carers are made aware that death certificates are currently being issued electronically and will not be available from the Bereavement Centre

OUTPATIENTS CLINCS

Outpatients Clinics will be operating from 6th July

Please ensure Clinical prioritisation of booked patients is undertaken as soon as possible

REPEAT TESTING OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE A NEGATIVE ADMISSION SCREEN:

For those admitted from 18 May 2020, patients who test negative on their admission screen, a single re-test should be conducted 5-7 days after admission. Using the appropriate drop down selection on Medway. Patients who are awaiting this repeat test result but who do not have clinical features of COVID-19 do NOT need isolation in side rooms (unless they also have another reason to require this e.g. another infectious disease requiring isolation precautions or infection alert such as MRSA/VRE/CPE).

24/7 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LINES

North West Boroughs Healthcare has upgraded its existing 24/7 mental health crisis lines to Freephone numbers. This means they are now free to call from both landlines and mobile phones.

The new dedicated phone numbers are:

  • 0800 051 3253  for people living in Wigan
  • 0800 051 1508  for people living in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington

The crisis lines provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages, including children and young people, who need urgent mental health support.

More information and FAQs about the crisis line for professionals can be found at: www.nwbh.nhs.uk/crisis-line-professionals-information/

STAFF ANTIBODY TEST RESULTS

Please allow 7 working days (not including weekends) for your results to be issued.

Please DO NOT call the Microbiology Department for your results as they will no longer be able to provide them.

For more information, please visit the Staff Covid Website:

https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-antibody-results-comms-15.06.20-2.pdf


(password: STHKcovid19)

FACE MASKS

ALL staff MUST wear a surgical mask in all public areas of hospitals

Staff MUST NOT wear their own non-medical grade face covering

  • Masks must also be worn in all areas where social distancing cannot be achieved. In clinical areas, staff must continue to follow the relevant PPE guidelines.
  • Masks are available at all main entrances, and there are also appropriate orange bins to ensure safe disposal.

We MUST do everything we can to protect each other and our patients to stop the virus spreading and prevent a second wave.

So please remember:

  • Stay 2 metres apart whenever it is possible, both inside and outside of our buildings
  • Clean your hands regularly
  • Wear a mask when required

For more information, please visit the FAQs on the Staff Covid Website

If for any reason you cannot wear a surgical mask please speak to your line manager immediately

NHS COVID HEROES

Today we say a big THANK YOU to the Specialist Palliative & End of Life Care Team.

They have worked tirelessly to ensure their patients receive the highest standards of symptom management, emotional support, comfort and dignity. Given the challenges of social distancing & infection control measures, restricted visiting and PPE this has been no mean feat and has only been achieved by the commitment and flexibility of a Team whose motto became ‘Rearrange, Rearrange, Rearrange’ Thank you SPCT we salute you!