Updates
Update, 21 March
Published: 21 March 2020
Changes to rail and bus services from Monday 23 March – update from Transport for West Midlands
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is working closely with bus, train and tram operators across the region to help keep transport services operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting from Monday (23 March), the frequency of train services will be reduced across the country. New timetables will be available over the weekend from train operating companies. Journey planners will be updated by Sunday afternoon.
Between Monday (23 March) and Wednesday (25 March) most bus operators will reduce the frequency of the services they operate in the West Midlands. New timetables will be available online from Monday.
West Midlands Metro services are expected to remain as normal next week, but do check for updates in case the situation changes.
In addition, specific public sector transport routes are currently being worked on, to help people get to work. Details will be shared early next week.
Everyone will still be able to get to where they need to go. However, the time you normally travel may need to change. TfWM is encouraging everyone to plan ahead.
You can also follow @WMNetwork on Twitter for live service updates.
National Express West Midlands will be reducing their bus service on some routes. New timetables will be available from Monday 23 March on the National Express West Midlands/Coventry websites.
Reminder: "key workers" identified
The government has published a list of key workers whose children can still go to school if they cannot be looked after at home. These workers' jobs are considered "critical" for the response to the pandemic.
The list has been separated into eight categories, including frontline health workers and social care staff, nursery and teaching staff and those involved in food production and delivery. We are treating all Trust employees as frontline key workers. Our Trust is a provider of healthcare services critical to the COVID-19 response and we consider each of our employees to be a critical worker as referred to in the Government’s guidance for schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision. Should you require proof of key worker status for your child’s school, please email COVID-19KeyWorkers@uhb.nhs.uk.
Further details is avaiable on the Government website.
Solihull Pathology Service
From Monday (23 March), the Pathology Department at Solihull Hospital will temporarily close and the service will be provided from Heartlands Hospital, operating overnight and at weekends.
Samples will be collected regularly from AMU throughout the day and night and couriered to Heartlands for analysis. There will be no staff at Solihull Hospital, so all telephone calls should be directed to the Heartlands service. This is a temporary closure and affects Solihull Hospital only. For laboratory enquiries please contact:
- Specimen Reception (Haematology and Clinical Chemistry): 0121 424 2252
- Blood Bank: 0121 424 0705 / 0121 424 0706
For any enquiries please contact Mark Hill, Head Biomedical Scientist on 0121 424 0725 or 07769 284791.
General visiting
The Patient Experience team will be issuing authorised visitor pass packs across all wards/all sites from next week.
Wards will need to complete and issue passes to the authorised visitor. The authorised visitor will then need to show their pass to get in.
The process for issuing passes to relatives called in to our sites is as follows.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Via the current process - wards contact main reception (open 24/7) to tell them the name of who they have called in (for some wards they give a password too).
Heartlands Hospital
Wards can now contact the main reception on the numbers below during the times specified and they will keep a list of people to be allowed in.
- 0121 424 2936
- 0121 424 3047
- 0121 424 1510
Monday to Friday: 07:15 to 20:00
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00
On the visitor's first visit, they should be issued a visitor pass if this applies to them.
Once the process for issuing passes will be at Good Hope and Solihull Hospital is available, details will be provided.
For additional passes
If you require more visitor passes for your ward, please contact the patient experience team for your site.
- Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals: ext. 40237
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham: ext. 14491
Email: patientexperience@uhb.nhs.uk
Out of hours, please obtain passes from another ward.
Operational update
- 60 ventilators have been ordered for ITUs
- 50 of the 100 high-flow oxygen machines are commissioned and being rolled out to AMU, respiratory and cohort wards with training plans
- The approach to outpatient appointments has been amended to further reduce footfall. Details available from your divisional management teams
On-site retail outlets
Changes have been made to the on-site retail outlets. These changes have been made in line with social distancing guidance and infection prevention measures:
- Please use the hand gel dispensers provided and maintain good hand hygiene
- The seating has been rearranged to adhere to social distancing guidance. Please do not move them
- Avoid attending the retail outlets in groups, and please maintain social distancing when queuing and seating
- Please utilise the take-away service as much as possible
- Use contactless payment wherever possible
From Wednesday 25 March staff can purchase vouchers that can be used at another time within our restaurants or at ward level. Vouchers will be redeemed on collection of food. Speak to the cashier for more information.
From Wednesday 25 March a reduced breakfast offer will be available in the retail outlets. Ward-based staff can use their vouchers and nominate one member of their team to collect food for the ward.
From Wednesday 25 March we will be offering a reduced menu and extended afternoon delivery service to ward-based staff. Please fill in the pre-order form for at least four members in your area and email it to your on-site contingency team. Your food will be delivered within 30 minutes of desired request and all vouchers will be collected on delivery.
The Café One retail outlet at the main entrance at Heartlands Hospital remains open during current opening hours.