Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 03:38 pm
The rates of infections continue to rise significantly in our local communities and increasing numbers of COVID positive patients are being admitted to our hospitals.
The risk of COVID remains high and we must remain vigilant at all times.
In today’s update:
- Update on travelling abroad
- Visiting guidelines
- Uniforms
- COVID-19 Vaccination Drop-in Clinics
Update on travelling abroad
On the Thursday 24th June (2021), the Government updated its travel list and introduced the term Green watch list. The traffic light system allows the public to understand COVID requirements when travelling abroad and returning to England. Health measures at the border will vary depending on whether travelling from a green, amber or red country. You can see the full list of countries in each category on GOV.UK.
Staff should be aware that you are not allowed to travel to amber or red list countries and currently there are no exemptions to travelling.
The traffic light system
The Government warned that as the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world and in particular the Delta variant, people should not be travelling to amber or red countries.
For more detailed information, please visit the staff COVID website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/annual-leave/ (password:STHKcovid19)
Visiting guidelines
As of the 24th June, increased visiting restrictions were reintroduced across the Trust once again with the below exemptions:
- Patients receiving end of life care
- A parent / responsible adult visiting a child
- Carer supporting a patient with mental health issue such as dementia, learning disabilities or specific rehabilitation needs
- Maternity – one birth partner permitted to attend appointments, throughout labour and limited post-natal visiting
This must be agreed with the nurse/midwife in charge of the ward/department BEFORE coming to the hospital.
No other visitors are permitted on any ward/department at any time.
Uniforms
Staff are reminded they must follow the Dress Code Policy which states the following:
All staff who are patient facing, who would ordinarily wear a uniform or scrubs, must travel to and from work in their own clothes, only changing into their uniform/scrubs once inside the hospital. Staff should travel to and from work in their own clothes and change into uniform at work. Uniforms should be removed prior to leaving the hospital and transported in a separate plastic bag, with the bag disposed of, if being laundered at home. No medical equipment, e.g. stethoscopes, should be visible on staff outside the hospital premises.
For all other staff wearing a hospital uniform, it must not be worn outside the hospital premises unless completely covered by a coat or outer garment that is fully fastened.
This includes during any mode of transportation to and from work and during all seasons. In order to maintain a professional image at all times, staff must not be seen outside work with their uniform visible.
All staff undertaking work in community settings should wear hospital uniform when on duty, unless otherwise agreed, for example, due to safety reasons.
Uniforms and other work clothes must be laundered as per the Trust laundry policy: Launder daily on a separate wash at the highest temperature available on a domestic washing machine (minimum 60˚C). DO NOT add other clothing items to the load.
Please can we remind all staff that the risk of Covid-19 has NOT reduced and infection prevention procedures surrounding uniforms should continue to be adhered to. Appropriate PPE must still be worn in all areas.
COVID-19 Vaccination Drop-in Clinics
On Sunday 27th June, the Mass Vaccination Centre at St Helens Rugby Ground will be holding vaccination drop-in clinic for all adults over the age of 18.
Anyone who requires their first dose vaccination can attend between 8am and 7pm, with no need for an appointment.
Also on this date, second doses can be given of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca to those over 40 years, as long as there has been at least 8 weeks between doses.
First dose appointments are still available at the Mass Vaccination Centre for all other dates.
To book a first dose appointment for yourself, family or friends, please click here
Information to help with the booking process:
- The booking must be made in the name of the person receiving the vaccination (not the person making the booking)
- The NHS number of the person receiving the vaccination must be inputted this can be found here NHS Find NHS number web page.
- Once the booking is submitted a booking ticket with a QR code will be emailed to the address given. The person who is being vaccinated must take this with them to the appointment. This can be a digital version (on a phone) or a printed version.
- Vaccination eligibility can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Please note appointments are only for first doses of the vaccination.
Please can managers share this information with staff who do not have access to email