COVID-19 Update 17TRUST SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SERVICE UPDATEIntroduction I hope that as many of you as possible have managed to have a break over the extended weekend. For those who have not and have been working hard to keep our services running and our patients safe - thank you. Last night many of you will have watched the Prime Minister speak about the very gradual reduction of social distancing measures and I want to use this communication to be absolutely clear with how the Trust has interpreted this for how we run our services. In summary and after discussion with the senior clinicians and leaders in the Trust, I can confirm the Trust will be making minimal, if any changes, to the way we are working in the first instance. More details are outlined below in order that we can be as clear as possible with staff and line managers across the Trust. In the communication today I am only going to cover two key issues:
Jonathan O'Brien - Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive Service Update and Social Distancing Last night we saw the Prime Minister outline how the social distancing rules will be very gradually relaxed. The Prime Minister outlined some minor changes to enable some sectors return to work. As a Trust, we realise we must be very clear with staff about the measures we expect to continue and any changes, in order to avoid any confusion for staff or line managers. The bullet points below therefore reflect the position we have adopted in line with government guidance. These will remain in place until we advise otherwise:
I hope that this reassures staff that we are taking a cautious approach to any lifting of social distancing rules and most importantly, the safety of our staff and service users comes first. Should you have any questions in relation to the points above, you can pose this question to your line manager or to the incident control room directly via covid.questions@combined.nhs.uk. Power Outage Planning The mains isolation switch situated in the plant room at Harplands Hospital will shortly be replaced under managed conditions. The switch belongs to Western Power and it is their responsibility to maintain it. This is something the Trust has done before and, whilst we wish to minimise disruption to services wherever possible, we also need to ensure our electrical supplies are delivered with maximum safety. The date of Wednesday 20th May has been provisionally agreed subject to final confirmation by Western Power. A working Group has been established and is meeting every 2 days to plan and review progress. Western Power (WP) are completing their surveys, RAMS and programme and making detailed arrangements to provide all labour materials and plant to undertake the work. They have ensured that a replacement switch is available and is in their possession Serco are making arrangements for the provision of an additional ‘reserve back up’ emergency generator and will undertake enabling works and temporary works to facilitate access for all Western Power plant, equipment and personnel. Combined's Estates Department have appointed a dedicated Project Manager for the duration of the programmed works and will oversee the processes providing a central point of contact for the project for trust management. They will provide an emergency ‘A&T back-up generator’ at A&T just in case a power outage does occur.
|