COVID-19 Update 9Managing Leave and well-beingAs we move into the current ways of working on being the ‘new normal’, I’ve been heartened to hear about how staff are finding new and innovative ways of working and to keep our patients safe. Please continue to share the innovation with your colleagues. As I write my intro today I’m sat in one of the offices in Harplands Hospital (alone and socially distanced of course!) operating in a completely different way to normal. Microsoft Teams has come as somewhat of a revelation and the move over to it has largely gone to plan and very smoothly. I’ll certainly continue to use this in the future. I’d encourage you all to try it as the video and audio conferencing quality is superb. As I write, we also have significantly more PPE arriving in the hospital for all our teams, which is a huge relief for me, as I now know we have more than ample stocks to keep our staff and service users safe if and when we need it. Please do refer to the PHE guidance on when to use the PPE and importantly, when it isn’t required, as it is a precious resource. Today I need to update you on the following information:
Jonathan O'Brien - Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive Carrying over Annual Leave Following feedback from staff and after analysing the extent of current unused annual leave, all staff are able to carry forward into 2020/21 ALL of their unused annual leave. This is an extension of the previous message that extended the allowance to 10 days. Section 17 Patient Leave cancelled Due to the unprecedented threat that the Coronavirus pandemic presents healthcare services with, the Trust is taking decisions in the best interest of our service users, our staff and society as a whole. Following the announcement of tighter restrictions being imposed on 23rd March 2020 to contain the spread of Coronavirus, all patient leave from our hospitals, including escorted and unescorted Section 17 leave is cancelled. The only exceptions to this will be those patients who require urgent medical treatment. We acknowledge that leave from the hospital is often a significant part of a patient’s recovery; however, the balance of risk in relation to further spread of the virus currently must take priority. All clinical teams should consider how stopping leave is likely to impact on the clinical needs of their patient’s, as those who are restricted can become bored and agitated. Wards should consider increasing adapted communal activities to reduce duration, unnecessary attendance and increase personal space. Activities such as mindfulness/relaxation groups, dancing/exercise, karaoke and 1:1 meetings can all be done whilst maintaining the recommended two metre distance. Any such activity will have benefits in keeping up staff and patient morale and increase ward cohesion. Data Collection Tool for school leave To plan for the need for provision of education for NHS and emergency key workers across the City over Easter, the City Council have put together a data collection tool that will give them an idea what demand might be so they can plan supply around it. Looking after your health and wellbeing Helping staff to look after your health and wellbeing is a top priority for us. To help everyone do this, our colleagues Matt Johnson and Kerri Mason have produced a handy guide with hints and tips. You can access the guide here. Please take five minutes to read it and help yourselves.
|