Last updated on June 18th, 2021 at 01:16 pm
Today’s update is below:
- Asymptomatic Staff Testing – Lateral Flow Device Testing
- Christmas decorations
- PPE Store and Oracle codes
Asymptomatic Staff Testing – Lateral Flow Device Testing
Lateral Flow Device Testing (LFD) is part of the Government’s response to the pandemic and its commitment to controlling infection and supporting our healthcare staff.
Over the coming weeks, clinical staff will be asked to take part in LFD Testing as this scheme is rolled-out across the Trust gradually.
Your line manager / Matron will be in touch if you are chosen to take part in this.
Staff will be provided by with LFD testing kits and asked to test themselves twice a week at the end of their shift, every 3 to 4 days, to fit with shift patterns – for example, every Monday and Thursday or Wednesday and Sunday.
If the LFD test is positive, you will be required to have a further PCR (swab) test immediately and if it is confirmed you are COVID positive, the usual self-isolation process should be followed.
The LFD test results will then be submitted via a form you can access from your Trust desktop.
More information on LFD Testing can be found on the COVID website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/lateral-flow-device-lfd-testing/ (password: STHKcovid19)
Christmas decorations
Christmas is an important time for many of our staff and patients, a time for festive cheer and a time to bring joy to those around us.
This year is going to be a different Christmas for all of us, and whilst we celebrate as much as we can, it is vital that safety remains our priority.
Unfortunately, this means that we are unable to have Christmas decorations within any ward or department, this includes all clinical and non-clinical areas.
This is because many trees and decorations are simply not able to withstand the cleaning solutions we are required to use to ensure the highest level of infection prevention.
It is also important that surfaces remain clear so that appropriate cleaning can take place and it is difficult to clean behind or beneath Christmas decorations.
However, the Trust is looking at suitable alternatives to bring some Christmas sparkle to patient areas, so watch this space.
We are also still going to have our main trees in the reception areas of our hospitals, and of course our lovely external trees are already in place to brighten the festive season for both staff and patients.
This year more than ever, it is especially important to spread some Christmas cheer to everyone. It is a time for caring and a time of kindness, and we know that you all have plenty of this.
So whilst we may not be as decorated as we would normally like, we know that you will make this festive period as cheerful as possible for our patients and for each other, as the real spirit of Christmas is in each and every one of you.
PPE Store and Oracle codes
A further reminder that as of Monday 7th December 2020, the PPE store known as the ‘White Space’ will no longer be in use as a PPE store.
All PPE will therefore have to be sent via the usual PPE top up service, or requisitioned on Oracle. There will be no facility to collect PPE such as there is currently. The out of hours access process will still apply via Security.
Therefore, there are 2 ways to obtain PPE (9am -5pm Monday to Friday):
- Your ‘PPE Top Up Service’. As per the communication on the 2nd November please review these levels if they are not correct by emailing purchasing@sthk.nhs.uk (For noting- areas such as Newton Hospital and St Helens Hospital who have this service- nothing will change to your current processes)
- Order via Oracle as per any other item. The PPE items are on an Oracle catalogue for ease of ordering (details of the codes are below).
All PPE will be delivered within 48hrs, though the reality is much quicker than that (often the same day Mon- Fri). If you have any questions please email purchasing@sthk.nhs.uk If there are any urgent issues please call x5959 and one of the team will assist.
| Catalogue Code | Description | Box sizes |
| STHKIIR | Surgical masks (type IIR) | BOX 50 |
| STHK1863+ | FFP3 respirator masks 3M 1863+ STHK | BOX 20 |
| STHKJSPSmall | Reusable half face respirators (JSP) Small | EACH |
| STHKJSPMed | Reusable half face respirators (JSP) Medium | EACH |
| STHKJSPLarge | Reusable half face respirators (JSP) Large | EACH |
| STHKJSPfilters | JSP P3 particulate filters | PAIR 2 |
| STHKGlovessmall | Nitrite glove small | BOX 200 |
| STHKGlovesmed | Nitrite glove medium | BOX 200 |
| STHKGloveslarge | Nitrite glove large | BOX 200 |
| STHKGlovesXL | Nitrile glove XL | BOX 200 |
| STHKvisors | Face visor | EACH |
| STHKglasses | Re-usable safety glasses (limited availability) | EACH |
| STHKlongglovesXS | Extra-long cuff gloves XS | BOX 100 |
| STHKlongglovesS | Extra-long cuff gloves S | BOX 100 |
| STHKlongglovesM | Extra-long cuff gloves M | BOX 100 |
| STHKlongglovesL | Extra-long cuff gloves L | BOX 100 |
| STHKlongglovesXL | Extra-long cuff gloves XL | BOX 100 |
| STHK500mlgel | Hand gel pump bottle (500/600ml) | EACH |
| STHK60mlgel | Small hand gel (60ml) | EACH |
| STHKbodybags | Body bags | EACH |
| STHKbodybagsbariatric | Body bags (bariatric) | EACH |
| STHKshrouds | Shrouds | PACK 10 |
| STHKsterilegowns | Sterile disposable gowns (universal size) only to be used for sterile procedures | EACH |
| STHKnonsterilegowns | Non sterile disposable gowns (universal size) | EACH |
| STHKaprons | Aprons | PACK 100 |
| STHKF31000 | FFP3 respirator masks GVS F31000 | BOX 15 |
| STHK2016V | FFP3 respirator masks Meixin 2016V | EACH |