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JUNE 2017 | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
(L–R) Emma Virgilio, Dame Julie Moore, Rachel Hornabrook and Annette Nilsson
Recognition for successful project recruiters Five staff at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and one from Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) are the latest members of the West Midlands Genomic Medicine Centre (WMGMC) ‘100 Club’ – each having consented more than 100 people to the 100,000 Genomes Project. UHB Genomics Project Nurse Manager Rachel Hornabrook and Cardiology Senior Research Sister Annette Nilsson both received certificates from Chief Executive Dame Julie Moore to mark their achievements, along with Emma Virgilio, Genomics Research Nurse at HEFT. Unable to attend the presentation but also recognised were Senior Genomics Nurse Emma Skinner, Genomics Practitioner Hazel Smith and WMGMC Project Assistant Becky Parke, who are all based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Congratulating them all, Dame Julie said: “It’s great to see staff at UHB and HEFT playing their full part in delivering the 100,000 Genomes Project. “They deserve all the praise they have received
for their recruitment efforts to date, which reflect their dedication to providing the best in care to patients across the two organisations.” Rachel added: “We all feel so proud to be involved in this ground-breaking project, with the potential to shape the way we diagnose and treat patients for decades to come.” Patients with rare diseases and their family members are being recruited to the 100,000 Genomes Project, as well as those with many cancers, by 17 NHS trusts across the region which have come together to form the UHB-led WMGMC. It is hoped that by combining the genomic data of participants with their medical records we will better understand what causes the conditions and how to treat them in a more personalised and targeted way. In some cases there may be a diagnosis where there was none before. For more information about the 100,000 Genomes Project go to www.westmidsgmc. nhs.uk or call 0121 371 4821.
Professional approach is personal responsibility We want our staff to portray a professional image to patients, visitors, clients and colleagues at all times, which is why we have updated our corporate dress code and uniform policy. We expect staff to take personal responsibility for minimising the spread of infection, which is why ‘bare below the elbow’ is mandatory for ALL staff in clinical/ward areas so that hand hygiene is both easy and effective.
■ Scrub suits are worn by staff working in the theatre complex, interventional radiology, cardiology and endoscopy suites only. Staff leaving these areas in scrubs must have a specific purpose to do so. ■ When in uniform, hair must be worn up or tied back off the collar and should be kept clean, neat and tidy at all times. Hair colour and accessories must be discreet.
Nursing staff ■ Nursing uniforms must be well fitting and changed daily for each shift. They should not be modified and only worn for official duties inside or outside the hospital premises. ■ Shoes must be black, quiet soled and heeled, supportive and enclose the whole foot. ■ When in uniform, hair must be worn up or tied back off the collar in a style that does not require frequent re-adjustment. Hair when tied into a pony tail must not fall beneath the level of the collar or onto the face - if it does hair must be clipped up to prevent this happening. ■ Sweaters, fleeces and cardigans may be worn with a Trust or Departmental name in keeping with a professional image. These must be an agreed colour within the Trust e.g. green for Occupational Therapy staff and navy blue for all other staff. ■ Wristwatches and all below the elbow jewellery must be removed when attending to patients. ■ The wearing of ‘fitbits’ or any other electronic fitness monitoring devices are not permitted to be worn by any nurse in uniform.
Staff are reminded that: ■ All staff are expected to be smart and wellgroomed at all times whilst on Trust business. ■ Hemlines must be no shorter than just above the knee, plunging necklines and exposed midriffs are not acceptable. Jeans, leggings on their own or worn with a short top, ski pants, tight fitting trousers and shorts are not acceptable. Shorts and jog bottoms are an acceptable exception for therapy staff working in the gymnasia only. ■ All staff must wear an easily visible identity badge at all times. Lanyards must not be worn by any staff due to health and safety as well as infection control. ■ A maximum of two professional/religious badges, of which one may be a religious badge/faith symbol, may be worn. ■ Make-up, hair colour, perfume and aftershave must be discreet and acceptable to others. ■ ‘Bare below the elbows’ applies to all staff regardless whether working permanently or just visiting a clinical area or where patient contact is involved (e.g. wards and outpatients). ■ All staff groups must ensure that footwear is appropriate to the environment in which they are working and the job that they perform. Clogs are only permitted for use by theatre staff. ■ All staff choosing to smoke must have their uniforms fully covered by an outdoor coat that is fastened. ■ Any visible tattoos that make an offensive or political statement must be covered. ■ Staff in theatre scrubs/clogs must never enter education/library facilities, restaurants or shop areas within the Trust.
Medical staff ■ Wristwatches and all below the elbow jewellery must be removed when attending to patients. ■ Ties are not permitted to be worn in any clinical area, and must be removed for activities involving patient contact; as they perform no beneficial function in patient care and have been shown to be colonised by pathogens. Lanyards must not be worn by any staff due to health and safety as well as infection control.
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