Chatterbox: 16 October 2020

16 October 2020

Inside this issue: Freedom to Speak Up Month: Pages 6 & 7 Fabulous fundraisers: Page 9 Coronavirus update: Pages 10 & 11

Dr Arne Rose, Medical Director, at the drive-thru clinic at PRH

Celebrating our AHPs Healthcare providers for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales came together to celebrate Allied Healthcare Professions (AHPs) Day this week.

AHPs are the third largest workforce in the NHS covering 14 different professions, 11 of which are represented by SaTH, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (ShropCom), Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT).

AHPs, who make a huge different to individual patient care and the health of the nation, include art therapists, orthoptists, drama therapists, osteopaths, music therapists, paramedics, chiropodists/ podiatrists, physiotherapists, dietitians, prosthetists and orthotists, occupational therapists, radiographers, operating department practitioners, and speech and language therapists.

Continued on p5

International Nurse Champions

Drive flu Nearly 1,900 of you have so far had your flu vaccination as part of the Trust’s DriveFlu campaign.

This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, colleagues are being invited to book an appointment for a flu jab.

Karla Jennings-Preece, who is heading up the campaign for IPC, is encouraging all those who have received an invitation to book their been working hard to vaccinate appointment as soon as possible. their colleagues.”

She said: “There has never been a more important time to have the As a thank you for having the flu vaccination which will protect vaccination, colleagues will receive a £3 voucher which can be yourselves, your families, redeemed in the Caffé Bistros and colleagues and patients. the Apley and Mytton restaurants.

“Please can I remind all those who have been sent an email inviting Vouchers are currently being them to book their appointment to distributed to those who didn’t receive one at the start of the make sure they book, as slots are campaign. Colleagues who have filling up. had their flu vaccination elsewhere “Please do not turn up without an should still complete the consent appointment; this is to ensure that form included in the invitation email, there is no queuing and social and a voucher will be sent. distancing is maintained.

More information is available at “I would also like to say a big thank intranet/flu you to all our vaccinators who have

Our latest cohort of overseas nurses has been getting help settling in, thanks to our new International Nurse Champions.

The voluntary role provides non-clinical, pastoral support for over overseas nurses joining SaTH. Champions act as a point of contact for new international nurses and offer support, advice, tips and guidance.

This role is open to all colleagues who are able to provide this support and is not confined to nurses from previous cohorts.

SaTH currently has six International Nurse Champions, supporting 32 new international nurses.

If you are interested in becoming an International Nurse Champion contact Beth Williams, Onboarding Specialist on Ext 6844 or email beth.williams10@nhs.net

World Thrombosis Day took place on Tuesday 13 October; this campaign is designed to focus attention on the often overlooked and misunderstood condition of thrombosis. The mission of the campaign is to “Open your eyes to Thrombosis.

1 in 4 people worldwide die of conditions caused by blood clots, also known by the medical term “thrombosis”. VTE is a condition that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Together, DVT and PE are known as VTE -- a dangerous and potentially deadly medical condition.

Here at SaTH, to raise awareness of the day, Martha JJuuko and Rochelle Jones (PreRegistration Pharmacists), visited wards at PRH and quizzed some of our staff on their knowledge of thrombosis. They took this opportunity to provide some key facts to the staff and raise awareness about hospital acquired thrombosis.

About 45% to 60% of VTE cases are hospitalassociated - highlighting the troubling fact that VTE is the leading cause of preventable hospital death.

Martha and Rochelle also placed posters around the wards highlighting risk factors for thrombosis and the importance of conducting risk assessments of all patients on admission. All patients must have a risk assessment conducted on admission and any patients deemed “at risk” must be given appropriate preventative treatment.

Martha and Rochelle would like to say a huge Thank You to those of you who took part and engaged with them during their ward visits. To continue to celebrate the day we also launched a quiz online to test your knowledge on thrombosis. Simply follow this link to enter for your chance to win a prize. The link will close on the 23rd October 2020.

You can view the national campaign website at www.worldthrombosisday.org.

In brief Jules Lewis, End of Life Care Facilitator, and Claire Saxby, Speech and Language Therapist, are putting on Mouth Care/Taste for Pleasure Training in the Shropshire Conference Centre (SECC) at RSH from 11.30am–12.30pm and 2pm-3pm on 27 November.

Booking is essential due to social distancing requirements.

To book an hour session email sath.eolcteam@nhs.net To find out more about Taste for Pleasure, you can watch a short video here.

Business Continuity Training is being held via Microsoft Teams over the next year. Sessions are one hour long. You can book via the Training Diary under ‘Emergency Planning and Business Continuity’ then ‘Business Continuity Awareness’.

If you have any questions email chloe.davis7@nhs.net or emma-jane.beattie@nhs.net

AHPs Day [Continues from p1] Local AHPs have come together this year to record a series of short videos explaining who they are, where they work, what they do and what they would say to anyone considering entering their profession.

It is hoped this collaboration will inspire the next generation and encourage young people to consider AHPs a career. To view the videos, click here.

Hayley Flavell, Director of Nursing at SaTH, said: “Most of us will have seen an AHP at least once in our lives, so AHP Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the invaluable contribution these professions make to our health and wellbeing.

The importance of these roles has been particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic where the teamwork and adaptability of our colleagues have shone through. Thank you for all that you do.”

Rachel McKeown, Director of Allied Health Professionals MPFT, said: “Our AHPs have been magnificent during the pandemic, stepping up to support each other and deliver care in new and innovative ways. Many were redeployed into other teams and services and have built new and enduring relationships with colleagues which will be important as we develop new expertise in supporting the recovery journeys of COVID-19 survivors. Thank you everyone, and Happy AHPs Day”.

Claire Horsfield, Deputy Director of AHPs at ShropCom, said: “AHP Day was created as an opportunity for Allied Health Professionals to celebrate, appreciate, inspire and connect. This year local AHPs have done just that showcasing the fantastic services they offer to patient care on a daily basis.

“It’s been a really tough year for everyone, which is why it’s so impressive that AHPs stepped up further during COVID-19 to work with other healthcare professions in new, transformative, collaborative and innovative ways. Thank you all, and have a great AHP Day 2020!”

Stacey Keegan, Chief Nurse at RJAH, said: “The contribution of AHPs to our NHS cannot be over-emphasised. There is a huge variety of roles that comes under the umbrella of the Allied Health Professional title, and I think all of us will have received care from an AHP at one point or another.

“They play a pivotal role in the patient journey at RJAH and I am delighted that we are able to celebrate their importance on AHP Day.”

Freedom to Speak Up Month October is Freedom to Speak Up Month, something SaTH takes very seriously as part of its commitment to making the Trust a great place to work. To celebrate the month, we asked our Freedom to Speak Up Advocates what Freedom to Speak Up means to them. Here’s what they had to say: 1) Beth Jones, Occupational Therapist:

judged unfairly for their differences. To combat this we have to change the narrative and create a The provision of Freedom to Speak Up emphasises the importance of speaking out about safe space for staff to confide worries and concerns. concerns within work, in relation to both patient and staff. This service allowed me to report my 6) Ellie Reid, Therapy Support Worker: concerns to an external individual gathering an I learned about the Freedom to Speak Up independent view and to escalate further, in order Guardians through my colleague who had recently to identify possible solutions. The advocates benefitted from their guidance and support. It is ensure that there are no repercussions for this my long term goal to become a Counselling role, which is essential to achieve a culture where Psychologist as I believe that every individual reporting concerns and then problem solving is should be given the ability to reach their full positive. potential, independent of their background, 2) Sam Griffiths-Perks, Women’s Service Assistant, Wrekin MLU

Freedom to Speak Up to me means the opportunity for us to be able to voice our opinions and problems in a safe and confidential manner.

3) Sara Skellern, Midwife To me, Freedom to Speak Up Means being able to support staff to be able to raise concerns and make the trust a safer place for patients and staff, without the fear of repercussion. To ensure that we have an open culture where concerns are addressed.

4) Dr Olu Akinlade, Speciality Trainee (ST2): Freedom to Speak Up is an avenue for every worker in NHS to speak up and say what matters for the benefit of patients and all workers.

I believe its focus is mainly on speaking up and listening to concerns before they escalate, to ensures lessons are learnt, potential harms are prevented and systems are improved.

It can be done in person, via email and anonymously. This is a brilliant culture that must grow.

Your voice must be heard.

5) Natalie Ward, Patient Access Clerical Officer: I have been an advocate since Freedom To Speak Up started and loved being part of something I’m passionate about. In an ideal world we can speak up without the risk of creating awkwardness and staff prejudices from opinions.

This currently is not an easy task and staff are still

disability or environment.

I believe that a person cannot work to their full potential if they are impaired by a culture that deters staff from raising concerns, which long term could be detrimental not only to the mental health of that person but also the trust through a negative reputation surrounding staff support and a high staff turnover.

I believe that the Freedom to Speak Up scheme is essential in correcting this culture and prompting a positive environment in which poor practice can be highlighted without fear of the consequences; a small step which in the long term will improve the effectiveness of the organisation as a whole.

7) Sam Jones, Medical Education Manager: I feel the role of the Freedom to Speak Up Advocate is really important within SaTH. Freedom to Speak Up means to me that people should always be supported to raise concerns and have the confidence to know that these concerns are being addressed fairly and transparently.

8) Dawn Shaw, Ward 9 Manager: Freedom to Speak Up allows everyone to have voice and feel safe in raising any concerns they have in safe, secure environment.

A business which supported SaTH during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic has been awarded the ‘UK Business Heroes Stamp’ from the British Chamber of Commerce.

John Tudor, Joint Managing Director of Access Covers in Rugeley, had hundreds of Tshirts with the slogan ‘We Love Our NHS Heroes’ made and sold them to stock Wellbeing Rooms at PRH and RSH.

February, said: “Having experienced first-hand how wonderful the doctors and nurses at SaTH are I wanted to do something for them, and came up with the idea of the TThe T-shirts generated more shirts to raise money to buy than £2,000 and the money was everyday items for staff at no spent stocking rooms, which expense to themselves. became known as ‘Wobble “Everyone at Access Covers Rooms’, with items like has played a role in this chocolate, hand cream, soft fundraiser and we look forward drinks and shower gel for to making it a sustainable colleagues to help themselves project that we will continue to during short breaks when long beyond the coronavirus they needed to recharge their pandemic.” batteries.

Julia Clarke, the Executive Lead John, who spent eight-days in for SaTH Charity, said: “The RSH after falling seriously ill award from the British Chamber while on holiday in Tenerife in

of Commerce is very much deserved. Well done John and everyone at Access Covers.

“We had an incredible response to our appeal to provide support and wellbeing initiatives for our amazing NHS heroes. The incredibly generosity and kindness of people like John means we were able to provide a range of items to help our staff on the frontline.

“The Wellbeing Rooms were important during the height of the pandemic as it offered our staff, who more often than not were really tired, a quiet space to share worries, verbalise emotion, have a little cry or just sit quietly.”

The T-shirts are still available for £10 each, plus £3 for postage and packaging, with a minimum of £5 of this money going directly to SaTH Charity.

To get one, visit www.accesscoversltd.com/ nhs

A couple has raised £500 for the O’Connor Unit at RSH to thank them for great care.

SaTHCharity Ron and Dianne Morgan from Shrewsbury trekked local and national peaks, equivalent to the height of Everest, to raise money for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

He was referred to a specialist in Birmingham, but his health deteriorated.

Tim said: “At the end of May 2019, after nearly 30 years together, my partner Stacey and I got married. A few weeks later I was fortunate to undergo a stem cell transplant at the QE Hospital in Birmingham.

The couple wanted to raise £1 for every metre they climbed, to benefit the Lingen Davies CT scanner appeal, as well as Severn Hospice.

Dianne retired earlier this year after nearly 50 years as a nursery nurse at SaTH. Ron has been receiving treatment at the Lingen Davies Chemotherapy Day Centre for the last five years.

Tim Dodwell was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera, a rare blood cancer that affects bone marrow, in 2005. Whilst under the care of Dr Andreea Corcoz, further tests revealed a change and Mr Dodwell was diagnosed with myelofibrosis.

Nevis, being battered by strong winds, snow, hail and freezing temperatures, I just remember thinking, we’ve done it!

“Exhausted but driven on by the thought of raising money The couple scaled peaks for Severn Hospice and Lingen including the Shropshire Hills, Davies, we persevered with the Snowdon, Pen Y Fan in Wales, challenge - and thanks to all and Great Borne and Scafell the fantastic supporters we are Pike in the Lake District. close to reaching our target of £8848 for these wonderful local So far they have raised just over £7,000, well on the way to services.” their target of £8848.

You can support Ron and Ron said: “On our final day, we Dianne, and read more about their story at started at 7am and it took us uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ six hours and 45 minutes up and down. We approached the RonaldMorgan2 bitterly cold summit of Ben

“After a couple of months recovering well I became quite poorly and was in and out of RSH for several months. With wonderful care from Dr Corcoz, and all her colleagues at RSH, in early January 2020 I was discharged and having slowly regained strength I now feel that I have my life back.

“The fact that I now feel so well is all thanks to the care I received from so many marvellous health professionals.”

Stacey runs Oberon clothing and jewellery boutique in Shrewsbury and organised a collection from customers, which she then topped up to make a £500 donation.

Tim said: “The money raised by the generous Oberon customers is an expression of gratitude for all that amazing care I received, and continue to receive.”

The couple are pictured presenting the cheque to Andreea.

Coronavirus update...Co

NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands are hosting two events for health and care workers from BAME backgrounds to share their experiences of working amidst COVID-19, including staff from bank and agency.

Kuvy Seenan, the organisation’s regional head of equality and inclusion, said: “We understand how challenging it has been for all of our staff working in the NHS and in the social care sector. But we also understand the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 has had on our BAME communities alongside the ongoing racial discrimination that continues to affect BAME colleagues in our workforce.

Kuvy added: “This event is an opportunity for all our BAME colleagues across the region to anonymously share their experiences with us about the support they have been receiving in the last few months in their workplace. With your help we want to create an equal, safe and more inclusive environment.”

Both events will feature the same agenda to enable as many staff to attend as possible.

Attendees are therefore encouraged to choose

whichever date suits them best. The event will provide staff opportunity to share feedback anonymously via Slido, an online interactive tool.

So, colleagues are encouraged to bring along a smart device if possible.  To book a place on Tuesday 20 October (13.45- 15.00), click here.  To book a place on Friday 30 October (11.00 12.15), click here.

In an initiative between the Government and the Crimestoppers, the public can now call a new COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity.

Over 150 COVID support schemes have been introduced by the Government to help those struggling financially, but a minority of individuals have been abusing these schemes by claiming support illegally.

The COVID Fraud Hotline is open 24-hours-aday, all year round. Alternatively, you can fill in a simple and secure anonymous form at Covidfraudhotline.org.

oronavirus update...

Stay at home guidance If you have COVID-19 symptoms If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, you should stay at home and get a COVID-19 test.

Colleagues should contact their line manager who will refer the staff member to the local testing service. A test can also be booked through this route for a symptomatic family member of a key worker.

If you are informed you are a contact of a positive COVID-19 case If you are informed you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19, you must self-isolate at home for 14 days from the date of your last contact with them.

The NHS Test and Trace service will get in touch with anyone who is a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 by text message, email or Please do NOT book a test via the NHS website or by phone. calling 119. This will ensure all health and care A contact of a person who has had a positive test workers and local key/essential workers can access result for COVID-19 should not arrange for testing local testing and obtain results quickly, and contact unless they develop symptoms of COVID-19. tracing in the workplace can happen efficiently to prevent outbreaks.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, other Anyone else living in the same house should not leave people in their household do not need to self-isolate at home. home for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in the house developed symptoms To read the Government’s guidance for contacts of or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their people with confirmed COVID-19 click here. test was taken.

If you have not been informed you are a contact of If you test positive for COVID-19 a positive COVID-19 case The result of the test will determine how long you must If you have not been notified by NHS Test and Trace stay at home and self-isolate. A positive test result that you are a contact of someone who has had a means you must complete a 10 day isolation period, positive test result, you do not need to self-isolate. starting from the day the test was taken. If symptoms To read the Government’s guidance for contacts of develop during this isolation period, a further 10 day people with confirmed COVID-19 click here. isolation should begin from the day the symptoms started. After 10 days, Please make sure you are always following the most if you still have a temperature, you should carry on self up to date guidance available on the Government’s website by using the links above.

-isolating and seek medical advice. You do not need to self-isolate after 10 days if only experiencing a cough or loss of sense of smell or taste as these The recent rises in COVID-19 cases across symptoms can last for several weeks after the the country - in all age groups and infection has gone.

Anyone else living in the same house should not leave home for 14 days. The 14 day period starts from the day the first person in the house developed symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken.

If you test negative for COVID-19 A negative test result means you can stop selfisolating as long as:  you are well  no-one else in the household has symptoms  anyone else in the household with symptoms also receives a negative test result and is not advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

If the person in the house tests negative anyone else in the same house can also stop self-isolating.

To read the Government’s ‘stay at home’ guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID-19, click here.

communities - are a stark warning to us all that we need to keep working together to slow the spread of the virus.

One of the best ways we can protect ourselves and each other is to remember; hands, face, space. That means washing our hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed public places and keeping our distance from people who aren’t in our household. These actions will help prevent coronavirus from spreading, protecting the people around us. We also need to reduce our circle of contacts so there are not as many opportunities for the virus to spread through our communities.

A blog on why self-isolation is still vitally important to stop COVID-19 from spreading in our community, particularly to people who could become very sick if they catch the virus, can be read here.