COVID-19 Update 20

Updates on PPE and Test and Trace 

Introduction

It has been great to see so many people taking advantage of the antibody testing available in the Trust this week. We’ve been working to get the results out to staff as soon as possible and make sure that enough tests remain available for staff to access. In addition to this, over 90% of risk assessments for BAME members of staff have now been completed, which is great as it shows that we’re all taking the higher risks that our BAME colleagues face from COVID-19 very seriously.

We’re continually getting new guidance on what we must do to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Those with a keen eye on my communications will have noted that no sooner had last week’s communications gone out, then the national guidance changed on the use of face masks and coverings in healthcare settings. There is more on this below.

This week I have some very specific information on measures we will be implementing across the Trust from Monday 15th June 2020. It is really important that you read and understand what is expected of you in relation to these measures. In advance of implementing these measures, we have sent additional PPE out to all sites this week and have adequate PPE stocks available in the Trust to sustain the new guidance.

We also need to update staff on the measures we’re adopting in line with national Test and Trace Programme and it is important that staff are aware that NHS staff are not exempt from this process.

Today, I will therefore cover:

• PPE Guidance from Monday 15th June 2020
• Test and Trace Procedure

Jonathan O’Brien, Director of Operations & Deputy Chief Executive Officer

PPE Guidance 

In line with national guidance, we are putting the following measures in place for all hospital (inpatient) sites from Monday 15th June 2020:

• In hospital settings staff (both in clinical and non-clinical roles), when not otherwise required to use PPE precautions, should wear a facemask; worn to prevent the spread of infection from the wearer. 
• Visitors/contractors and outpatients to hospital settings should wear a face mask for the same reason i.e. to prevent the spread of infection from the wearer. This will be supplied if necessary.
• Staff and visitors should only remove face masks in the hospital to eat or drink and when doing so must respect social distancing rules (i.e. 2m).

Existing guidance on the use of PPE in clinical areas remains unchanged.

Test and Trace Procedure

The Trust is responsible for the Test and Trace procedure following a patient or member of staff testing positive for COVID-19. The procedure aims to identify those staff members and service users who have been in close contact with each other, particularly in the 48 hour period prior to onset of the symptoms or a positive test. The procedure is complex and will be led by the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team and Incident Control Centre (ICC).

 All staff and line managers need to know the following: -

1. Staff are required to inform their line manager AND the Incident Control Room on 07521 266421 if they test positive for COVID-19.
2. The staff member should then isolate as recommended in government guidance.
3. The ICC and IPC Team will then initiate a process of tracing work based on contacts and will support and advise staff whether or not they are required to isolate for 14 days.

The key message is that staff must inform their line manager of their positive result as soon as is possible and most importantly inform the ICC, available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, of their positive test result on the number above.