COVID-19 Update 23Staff Testing & Following GuidanceIntroduction It has been some time since I last sent a COVID Communications bulletin directly to all staff in the organisation, outlining our operational response and providing important information specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that in the intervening period over summer, as many of you as possible have had the chance to take some time off, recharge and relax. As you will no doubt be aware, newly reported cases of COVID-19 have been increasing across the country since the start of September. This is a reminder that COVID-19 is still here and we need to remain vigilant. Autumn and Winter may well be as challenging for us – possibly more so – than the Spring. I wanted to reassure all our staff that the senior team have not been complacent in our planning over the last few months:
My deepest thanks go to all of those who have been involved in the above over the last 2–3 months and to all our staff who have helped keep each other safe by completing the multitude of risk assessments, personal plans and team working plans – all of which ensure we can continue to run our services safely and effectively. In today’s update, I want to communicate important information to staff on the following topics:
Thank you and take care, COVID-19 Testing for Staff The capacity constraints on the national testing system for COVID-19 have been well publicised in recent days. If you or a member of your household has symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate for at least 10 days from when the symptoms started and all household members should follow government guidance on isolation, which can differ depending on whether you are the person who is symptomatic. You should then arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19. Please go to the national testing site to arrange this as soon as symptoms develop. You will need to persist with the website due to the national issues with capacity – appointments are released gradually. If you are unable to get a local or home test, the Trust will be conducting ‘drive in’ testing for symptomatic staff and their household members, including symptomatic children, until more capacity is made available on the national system. These drive-in clinics will be held three times per week as we are keen to ensure you are able – depending on result – to go to work, attend school and carry on with daily life. Please report your absence to your line manager who will complete the absence reporting form. You will then be contacted by a member of the ICC to confirm if you have been tested or require an appointment with our IPC team. You will be contacted with your results within 48 hours and you should discuss this with your line manager and then follow the national guidance. (What your test results mean.) We are taking access to testing for our staff very
seriously and will do all we can to ensure access, if available, for our staff and their households. Social Distancing and PPE – New Guidance It is still essential that all staff follow all Trust guidelines regarding social distancing and the wearing of PPE. Services users must also be encouraged to follow guidelines appropriately. This is essential to protect you, your families and services users. Our buildings and areas have been risk assessed and notices for room occupancy displayed e.g. office space. Hand sanitiser and masks are readily available with other PPE as required. The important announcement for today is that, as an additional precaution, the wearing of face coverings will be mandatory in all indoor areas of the Trust from, at the latest, Monday 21 September 2020. The only exception to this is where a staff member is in a room alone. Staff should implement this measure as soon as they are made aware of this requirement. This new measure has been coordinated across all local NHS Trusts. PPE supplies will be increased to all areas to account for this new guidance. Working Practices I wanted to take this opportunity to remind staff about working practices that allow us to continue to deliver our services whilst keeping our staff and service users safe. I reiterate the guidance below:
Car Sharing & Travel Safe measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 are only achieved when staff either socially distance or wear appropriate PPE Staff who car share or travel together for work purposes must be aware of, and comply with, the following:
If staff are in any doubt they MUST wear a mask. Please note that a COVID-secure working environment does not negate the appropriate use of social distancing and/or use of PPE if required. Every time we get it right, we reduce risk and of course, every time we get it wrong or lapse, we are putting ourselves and others at risk. Thank you for all your hard work; it does make a positive difference. |