Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 03:39 pm
In today’s update:
- Staff COVID Vaccinations – Nightingale House appointments and update for pregnant staff
- Shielding update
- LAMP testing and COVID vaccination
STAFF COVID VACCINATIONS
Nightingale House appointments
Appointments at Nightingale House will end this Friday 26th March, so whether you require a first dose or second dose appointment, you need to make sure you attend or book your appointment NOW!
Please email: STHKCovid.VaccinationInvite@sthk.nhs.uk and the team will provide you with an appointment.
Staff having their first COVID vaccination will be given the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine.
Those that have already received the Pfizer vaccine will have their second Pfizer vaccination.
After Friday, staff will still be able to have their first vaccination at Saints Mass Vaccination Centre, email: STHKCovid.VaccinationInvite@sthk.nhs.uk to book an appointment.
Pregnant staff
The Trust is now able to vaccinate pregnant staff at either Nightingale House or at the Saints Mass Vaccination Centre.
Staff are advised to speak to an appropriate clinician, either their GP, Obstetrician or Midwife when making their decision, and if they require an appointment for vaccination then email: STHKCovid.VaccinationInvite@sthk.nhs.uk for an appointment.
You can also visit the staff COVID website to view an in-depth discussion by STHK clinicians around the benefits of having the COVID-19 vaccination: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine-faqs/ (password: STHKcovid19)
SHIELDING UPDATE
Guidance for Members of Staff
Members of staff who are currently on the CEV list and are either working from home or shielding will receive a letter that from 1 April 2021 they are no longer advised to shield.
The reasons for this are that since the national restrictions and shielding measures were introduced in January, cases of COVID-19 have fallen considerably across all parts of the country and over 22 million people have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Although clinically extremely vulnerable staff will no longer be advised to shield, they are still recommended to take extra precautions to protect themselves whilst the virus is still spreading. Until the social distancing rules are eased more widely, it is important that they continue to keep the number of social interactions that they have low and try to reduce the amount of time they spend in settings where they are unable to maintain social distancing. Everyone is advised to continue to work from home where possible, but if they cannot work from home they should now attend their workplace from the 1st April 2021.
The Trust understands this may be of concern to some members of staff but would like to assure them it has put steps in place via a Covid Risk Assessment to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. If they have any concerns speak to line managers who will explain to members of staff the measures they have put in place to keep them safe at work.
Further guidance for managers and links to the COVID Risk Assessment can be found on the COVID website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/shielding/ (password: STHKcovid19)
LAMP TESTING AND COVID VACCINATION
Staff taking part in the LAMP testing programme are advised that they should still continue to collect and complete the tests, even if they have had their COVID-19 vaccination.
More information on LAMP testing can be found on the COVID website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/lamp-testing/ (password: STHKcovid19)