The pressure continues to increase at our hospitals but so does the commitment and hard work of all our staff. We’re so proud of the care you are providing, not just for patients but for each other too. Thank you!
Cabinet continues to meet daily, today’s updates are below:
Silver Command
Silver Command can now be contacted by telephone or email, details below:
Silver command is for operational issues that cannot be resolved at local level only.
Please do NOT contact Silver Command for test results.
PPE update
Some concerns have been raised some FFP3 PPE products appear to have out-of-date ‘use by/expiration’ dates or have relabelled ‘use by/expiration’ dates.
We would like to assure all staff that the products we are using, issued by NHS England, have passed stringent tests that demonstrate they are safe despite the expiry dates given. Any PPE which is visibly damaged or soiled must not be used.
PPE for aerosol generating procedures
For aerosol generating procedures, visors are recommended in preference to goggles, hence wherever possible, visors should be used as eye protection for AGP. In the event visors are not available, please use goggles.
PPE Stock
The Procurement Team need to obtain a daily report from each ward/department detailing the status of PPE stock. Please complete the PPE Ward Stock Form v2.0 each day by no later than 2pm and email to purchasing@sthk.nhs.uk and title ‘Ward Stock Report’.
The form has been emailed to all relevant Ward Managers and Matrons and is also available on the here
Scrubs
We would like to remind staff that scrubs must only be worn in high risk and cohort areas. Staff are requested to wear one set of scrubs per shift and only change if they become soiled.
Scrubs are to be cleaned by the Trust’s laundry service the process is as follows:
- Put the scrubs in a red alginate bag and tie the top
- Put the red bag inside in a white plastic linen bag and tie the top
- Put this in disposal hold
- The scrubs are then collected, cleaned and put back into circulation
Please do not leave scrubs on the floor or anywhere else.
Samples
When swabbing patients/staff please ensure you are following the correct procedure. Guidance is available here
Social media
Can we please remind all staff to be mindful of the information you are sharing on social media . Your words could affect the mental wellbeing of colleagues, friends and family.
Please do not make public appeals for equipment or donations – these are being coordinated by our Procurement and Charity Teams, and communicated on social media by our Trust Communications Team.
The Trust’s Communications Team have uploaded an at a glance guide to managing social media on the staff intranet.
#HiddenHospitalHeroes
It’s almost one week since we launched our Covid Helpline and so today we salute the fantastic team who have answered hundreds of enquiries from staff, patients and their families.
Well done and thank you to you all for hitting the ground running and helping so many people.
Keep up the good work!
