Last updated on April 2nd, 2020 at 04:18 pm
Thank you so much for your continued hard work, the health and safety of our staff and patients is a priority and we appreciate all you are doing.
Today’s COVID cabinet meeting update is below.
The most up to date information and any relevant changes to guidance is available on the staff intranet. This update has now been added for all staff to access
**Please be aware that there is an increased risk of a cyber-attack during this period and staff need to follow the standard procedure i.e. do not open any attachments in emails from an unknown source and report anything suspicious to the IT helpdesk
PPE
The trust is following the WHO guidance which informed the National Guidance from Public Health England (PHE) on 13/3/20. We are very aware of documents released by a variety of professional bodies that suggest enhanced PPE beyond the NHS guidance. It presents a huge challenge when we are sent advice in conflict with the current scientific base.
PHE recommend the following ensemble for healthcare workers within a metre of a patient with possible or confirmed COVID-19:
- Fluid repellent surgical facemask
- Apron
- Gloves
- Eye protection if there is a risk of splashing
The recommended PPE to be used for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) on patients with possible or confirmed COVID-19 is:
- FFP3 respirator
- Long sleeved disposable gown
- Gloves
- Eye protection (disposable goggles or full-face visor)
When caring for other patients (i.e. not suspected or confirmed COVID-19) please exercise clinical judgement around reaching for a mask, apron and gloves if there is a risk of contamination – i.e. examining the mouth or other mucus membranes.
More detail on definitions of AGPs
Pregnant staff
The RCOG COVID-19 guidance for pregnant staff had been adopted as national guidance and is:
- Less than 28 weeks pregnant – staff can work as normal but should not be caring for confirmed COVID patients or patients with COVID symptoms
- Over 28 weeks pregnant – staff should not be undertaking patient facing duties and may be re-deployed to other duties or asked to work from home.
Care homes
Care homes and other external agencies have to work to the same discharge criteria as the Trust i.e. after 7 days from the onset of the infection, if the patient has been well for 48 hours (they may still have a viral cough), they can be discharged. There is no need for the patient to have had a negative screen result before they can be discharged, but they must remain isolated for the remainder of the period as per national guidance, if this hasn’t been completed in hospital.
Signage
Additional signage and equipment have been deployed across the Trust to support social distancing e.g. in lifts and at reception areas. Staff must respect these requirements to help keep everyone safe.
Coronavirus COVID-19 helpline
A telephone helpline is being established and additional staff deployed to support the volume of calls relating to COVID. Further details to follow.
IT
All requests for IT support to help staff to work from home need to be channelled via the IT helpdesk.
Media coverage
The Trust will feature on this evening’s BBC regional news programme as part of a report into how the NHS across the North West is responding to Covid-19. Tune in to North West Tonight BBC1 18.30
Thank you