Coronavirus staff guidance University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Vaccine trial starts recruitment at UHB

University Hospitals Birmingham has been selected as one of 18 Trusts recruiting to the Oxford Vaccine Group’s COVID-19 vaccine trial.

The trial is being led by the University of Oxford and more details about the study are available on the Oxford Vaccine group’s website.

• COVID-19 Oxford vaccine trial information

All volunteers taking part in this study will either receive the trial vaccine or a “control” vaccine (a licensed meningitis vaccine), and volunteers will not know which vaccine they have received until the end of the study (one year later). 

The main purpose of this trial is to test how effective the vaccine is in helping to stop infection or otherwise limit COVID-19. In order to answer this important question, all sites across the UK taking part in the vaccine trial will aim to selectively recruit people who are likely to come into contact with the virus over the coming weeks and months. Our strategy is to focus on healthcare workers at UHB.

There is a careful screening process starting with an online questionnaire, followed by a telephone conversation with a member of the study team, and then a face-to-face meeting to ensure individual suitability for the study. A computer algorithm will be used to randomly select screened and eligible volunteers to then enter the study.

Vaccine supply is limited and it unlikely that everybody who wants to take part will be able to. Recruitment will be managed in stages as more vaccine becomes available.

There is currently no definitive recruitment target for UHB and further updates will be available when more information is available.

Any staff who wish to have more information about the study are invited to fill out an online form to register interest.

• COVID-19 Oxford vaccine trial - registration form

Library social distancing - QEHB

The library team would like to make everyone aware that they will be making changes to the library space at QEHB over the next week in order to provide a safe working environment for all its users:

• They will reduce the amount of computers and study spaces available to comply with the social distancing rule of two metres apart. They also ask that each book aisle only has one person browsing at any time
• Wipes will continue to be provided in computer areas for before and after computer use
• For room bookings, please note the library is also unable to provide equipment at this time. Please feel free to bring your own but the library cannot offer IT support
• The team suggests that instead of using library and education centre meeting rooms to meet colleagues in person staff should please use Trust approved technology such as Vidyo

We will review these new rules as the situation changes. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation at this time. 

Library staff to continue to offer services remotely such as literature searching, document supply, training, current awareness bulletins and OpenAthens Support. 

For more information about library services, please contact the library via email or visit the library intranet page:

Email: qelibrary@uhb.nhs.uk

• Library (intranet)

Training videos are available on Moodle, and the library also produces a podcast series.

• Moodle - library training videos
• Library - podcasts

Education Centres

To adhere to social distancing, the capacity settings for all rooms within the Education Centres at all four hospital sites have been amended to reflect the maximum numbers of users for each room.  Please remember to take this into account when booking or requesting your rooms.

Free staff parking passes

Any free passes that are due to expire can be renewed by attending the Security offices at Heartlands and Solihull hospitals or the Car Parking Portakabin at Good Hope Hospital.

Passes will be renewed until Sunday 14 June when we will review again based on Government and Trust guidance and update via communications channels.

We would respectfully ask that you do not email the Car Parking team for this information.

Food and drink provision for staff

Ensuring you were able to keep hydrated and access food was a key priority for our initial response to COVID-19.

During phase 1, we ensured that a selection of sandwiches, microwave meals, carbonated drinks and crisps were made accessible to ward areas with food retail outlets remaining open throughout.   

We have also been shown incredible kindness from many companies and members of the public donating drinks, snacks, toiletries and many more items to staff. 

Since the beginning of this outbreak we have been able to distribute thousands of these items to staff across all our locations.

As we move into phase 2 of our COVID-19 response, from Monday 1 June the following provision will continue to be made available across our four hospital sites:

• The wellbeing hubs will remain open for staff to gain the knowledge and skills to manage their own health and wellbeing including mindfulness, resilience, nutrition and hydration, to have some quite time away from busy work areas and to access psychological support
• Our restaurants and retail units are open for staff to purchase food and drink; supporting social distancing, and with a takeaway service with free delivery available should staff wish to use this

Free on-site bike checks

As part of their annual Big Bike Revival, Cycling UK are working with local independent bike shops to offer free bike servicing for key workers.

The Trust has been in communication with Cycling UK to facilitate free on-site Dr Bike servicing sessions at Heartlands Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital for staff from 1 June.

Staff who work at Good Hope Hospital can have their bike serviced for free under the scheme in store at Trikes & Bikes, which is approximately 600 yards away from the hospital.

The Dr Bike sessions are run to ensure your bike is safe to ride as we come into the warmer months – the mechanics will not be able perform a gold service or bike rebuild at this time.

The basic check should take approximately 30–45 minutes, but there will be provisions in place to keep your bike safe until collection should you be unable to return at that time.

In order to maintain social distancing staff will need to book a time slot to drop off their bike to avoid crowds turning up at any given time.

To book a slot at either Heartlands Hospital or QEHB please email the BigMove inbox with your name, site, the date you’d like to book in for and your preferred drop off time:

Email: BigMove@uhb.nhs.uk

Good Hope staff should contact Trikes & Bikes directly using the details below.

There is a potential for more dates to be added should funding allow.

The mechanics will follow hygiene guidance at all times and bikes will be wiped down before and after service.

All work is funded for and insured by Cycling UK.

Mobile data/broadband enhancements

Most mobile data and broadband providers are supporting NHS frontline staff by keeping them connected using their personal devices and internet while they care for patients.

Please read more about the offers and eligibility criteria on the Personal Data and Broadband Enhancements for NHS Workers website:

• Personal mobile data and broadband enhancements for NHS staff

Mobile data eligibility

Currently, NHS frontline staff members are eligible if they're using their personal mobile for work purposes and:

• are an existing customer of the companies participating (see website for list of companies)
• are hitting caps on their data or call allowance
• have not already been upgraded by their existing provider

Residential broadband eligibility

Currently, NHS clinicians are eligible if they're working from home and require prioritised broadband or other improvements to perform tasks, such as:

• carrying out consultations by video conferencing
• review radiology images
• downloading and uploading large medical files

NHS clinicians with slow or standard broadband speeds may be able to upgrade to faster speeds.

How to apply

If you feel you meet the criteria and would benefit from enhanced connectivity, you will need to complete the downloadable form (see below) and submit to your line manager for authorisation. Line managers will need to support the application and forward to First Contact for processing.

Email: FirstContact@uhb.nhs.uk