Updates
Update, 19 March
Published: 19 March 2020
Guidance for team members who are pregnant
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ latest guidance reassures that, “to the best of our present knowledge, most pregnant healthcare professionals are no more personally susceptible to catching the virus than their non-pregnant colleagues”. The current guidance for supporting pregnant members of our team is that we should make adjustments to enable staff to stay well and at work wherever possible. Adjustments may include working remotely or moving to a lower risk area.
We expect more detailed guidance that may allow you to return to a more usual work pattern in the near future.
Prioritising cancer patients
There is a new clinical guide for the management of cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Issued by NHSE, the guidance will help clinicians prioritise patients awaiting cancer treatments/procedures. Please see the guidance in the "Downloads" section.
Homeworking
The Trust is requiring that staff over 70 and any staff member who has underlying health conditions to stay off work for the next 12 weeks (as outlined in the current guidance). The absence is being categorised as excluded medical leave and is paid leave.
For full details, please visit the "Homeworking" page:
PPE availability
The Trust currently has appropriate PPE stock levels across all sites and we continue to monitor levels on a daily basis. With the release of the National Pandemic PPE Stock the Trust has had assurance that ongoing levels will be maintained.
Please be advised that any queries regarding availability of PPE should be directed to this email address:
Email: COVID19PPE@uhb.nhs.uk
This will be monitored by Procurement and anything requiring escalation will be facilitated appropriately. Please feel free to forward to your clinical teams.
WCCC at QEHB converted to second COVID-19 unit
The entrance to WCCC (Level 2 QEHB) has become swipe access only as this will serve as a second COVID-19 unit (after WCCD). The link corridor between CC areas B and C has been sealed.
There are also plans for the Wellcome Short Stay Unit (Heritage Building QEHB site) to become an 8-bed space COVID-19 Critical Care unit in the very near future.
Changes to opening hours at Solihull Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)
Due to the very low number of patients attending the Solihull MIU between 22:00 and 07:00 (less than 10 people), the decision has been made to temporarily close this service between these hours.
This means that staff who currently work at Solihull MIU can be redeployed to other Accident and Emergency Departments.
Further details about this change, including alternatives for patients requiring urgent medical help between the hours of 22:00 and 07:00, is available via the link below:
Media interaction
Please be advised that any approach from media must be referred to Communications.
Communications can be contacted in the first instance by telephone.
Tel: 0121 371 6491
Urgent out-of-hours enquiries must be directed to the Trust switchboard who will contact the on-call communications manager:
Tel: 0121 371 2000
Staff discounts
Latest offers are in the wake of COVID-19 (show NHS ID to claim):
- Leon are offering 50% discount on food and free delivery to hospitals
- WHSmith’s are offering 20% off all food and drink in hospital stores
- 200 Degrees are offering 50% off
- Itsu are offering free miso and hot drinks as well as 50% off
- Gusto are offering 50% off all takeout orders
- Boston Tea Party are offering 50% off
- Tortilla are offering 10% off
- Chilango are offering 50% off
Useful email addresses
Medical Scientific Advisory Group
MedicalScientificAdvisoryGroup@uhb.nhs.uk
COVID-19 Staff General Advice
COVID19staffgeneraladvice@uhb.nhs.uk
COVID-19 Coordinating Centre
COVID19CoordinatingCentre@uhb.nhs.uk