COVID Update 31 - New Restrictions COVID-19 Update 31New restrictionsIntroduction We have always attempted to communicate in a timely way throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with accurate and factual information for staff, to help the Trust continue offering effective care for our service users. As many of you will have seen tonight, the government has announced much stricter restrictions in the face of significantly increasing rates of COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions. The government has raised the Coronavirus Alert Level to 5 – the highest level – meaning that there is a direct risk that healthcare services across the country will be overwhelmed with demand. I am writing to inform staff of the initial instructions we are issuing following the developments tonight:
With best wishes, Jonathan Working From Home Our guidance on working from home wherever possible to do so, stands. Please make every effort to do this and resist unnecessary trips into work. You should only attend a Trust site if your work cannot be completed at home. This is to protect you and your colleagues. Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) Staff There are a group of staff who are defined, on medical grounds, as clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions. We know we have staff in these groups and we will support them throughout this period. The guidance on working, for this group of staff, has been updated. Our clinically extremely vulnerable staff at Combined Healthcare must work from home. If you cannot work from home due to the nature of your role, you must still not attend work. This is to protect you. We will support any of our staff who fall into this category keep themselves safe. If you fall into this category, please contact your line manager who will be supported by the relevant Directorate HR Business Partner to provide you with support and guidance. School Closures & Key Worker Placements The announcement tonight will no doubt cause a great deal of anxiety for those of us who are parents and / or have carer responsibilities for school aged children. Schools will continue to offer services for children of Key Workers, including NHS staff, to enable staff to continue to work. You may require support to access a Key Worker placement, including a letter confirming your status as an NHS employee. This can be obtained through your line manager, supported by the Directorate HR Business Partner. The direct link to the government website relating to education is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision Vaccination Availability Following the communications on vaccines yesterday, we have collated lists of staff outstanding vaccination. These lists are readied and we have a team of administrative staff on standby, who will contact staff as soon as we are notified that there is more vaccine available. Please note that you may be offered vaccination at very short notice for unavoidable logistical reasons. Please be prepared to answer your telephone and please be as flexible as you can in terms of accepting the appointment offered. This will help vaccinate the maximum number of staff as quickly as possible. Wider aspects of the national lockdown For the wider aspects of the national lockdown, you can visit the latest advice from the Government at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home |