Key updates:
Vaccination update
Tomorrow marks the 100 day milestone of the programme as we approach a vaccination total of almost 25 million people across the country. We continue to work through the 55 and over age bracket and will soon begin vaccinating people aged over 50. Those eligible can book online via the national booking service or wait to receive a letter from their GP. More than 400,000 people have now been vaccinated across Derby and Derbyshire, almost 50% of the adult population. We expect vaccine supply to increase considerably in the coming weeks and the latest overall progress report is available here.
Staff vaccinations - ALL staff are now eligible
A reminder that we’ve now opened up vaccinations for all remaining DCHS staff. Appointments are available at Derby Arena – book your vaccination here. Please remember to bring your proof of I.D. with you when you attend your appointment. If accessing Derby Arena is a problem for you then please email Jo Hunter to request alternate arrangements: jo.hunter1@nhs.net
Your second dose appointment
For the vast majority of people who booked through Swiftqueue, you should already have a date for the second dose of your vaccination. If you didn’t automatically get a second appointment then please wait to be contacted by the site where you received your first dose. This should happen automatically. If for any reason you haven’t been contacted by week 11 then please get in touch with jo.hunter1@nhs.net. If you attended the Pirelli stadium site for your first vaccination then you will be invited for your second dose at either the Queen’s Hospital in Burton or the Royal Derby Hospital. Appointments will be arranged via text or email, so please wait to be contacted over the next week or so.
AstraZeneca vaccine – media reports
You will have seen media coverage of reports of blood clots and, most recently, decisions in some European countries to temporarily suspend the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The MHRA advice remains clear that there is no evidence to support this and that everyone should still go and get their Covid-19 vaccine when asked to do so. We are working with vaccine centre staff and clinical spokespeople in order to reassure local people.
Still have questions?
If you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to contact our People Services team or Jo Hunter, deputy chief nurse, who can also refer any questions as required to a number of our medical experts.
A day of reflection
The Church of England has partnered with Marie Curie to mark the anniversary of the UK’s first lockdown with a national day of reflection. On 23 March they’re encouraging everyone to participate in ‘a minute’s silent reflection’ at 12 noon, to look back on our collective loss, support those who have been bereaved, and share hope for a brighter future. There are plenty of ways to get involved on the day, detailed here.
Individual Covid-19 risk assessments
Keeping you all safe has been at the heart of our work throughout this pandemic and the risk assessments we developed were an essential part of that effort. As people have completed and refreshed their assessments they’ve shared plenty of useful feedback to help us refine the process for the better. You can find the new and improved version of the process here.
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Patient facing colleagues:
- Easter PPE deliveries: There will be no PPE deliveries on either Good Friday or Easter Monday. If this is your normal delivery day then please make sure you have ordered sufficient stock beforehand.
- Amendment to the labelling of Clinell Universal (green) wipes: Although there have been no changes in the manufacture of Clinell wipes, the following improvements in labelling will be on all future packs to clarify how to use them safely and correctly. "Clinell Universal wipes contain various known sensitises, which although the likelihood is very low, when in contact with bare skin may cause an allergic reaction. Staff must always wear gloves when using these wipes and where appropriate additional PPE to minimise any potential hazards.”
- Vaccination patient journey: This poster and videos (available in a range of languages) help to demystify the patient vaccination journey in Derbyshire, supporting our work to improve vaccination confidence.
- Lateral flow testing protocol: Download the latest lateral flow testing protocol here. If required, help is available from the employee relations helpline on 07785 414129 or email: dchst.twiceweeklystafftesting@nhs.net
- Staff visiting care homes – evidence of LFT result required: New guidance will be in place from 22 March asking healthcare professionals to show evidence of their lateral flow test result when visiting a care home. This can either be a screenshot or a text message acknowledging the result.
- SOPs – updated: Our standard operating procedure (SOP) for inpatients, outpatients and urgent treatment centres was updated on 11 March. Click here to download that and all other available SOPs
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Reminders:
- Community testing for Covid-19: Derbyshire’s community testing programme offers regular lateral flow testing to those who are at most risk of passing on the virus, which is those who are still going out to work and spending time with colleagues or the public. You don't need to book, just turn up at a time convenient to you. Find out more here. Community testing is NOT for those who have coronavirus symptoms – they should book a test in the usual way.
- Staff Survey results: The latest NHS Staff Survey results were published last week – you can read more in this full announcement. 75% of you would recommend DCHS as a place to work, an increase of 4% in the past year. 87% of you would also recommend DCHS as a place to receive treatment – the highest confidence rate of any community trust in the country. Hear from Darren Tidmarsh on our next Facebook Live session this Friday at 12:00, who will reflect on the results and discuss our next steps. Join the Facebook group here.
- HSJ subscription renewal: We’ve renewed our corporate subscription for the Health Service Journal, meaning you can have unlimited access to all content including news, podcasts and webinars and more. For existing users’ log-in details will not have changed. Any new requests should be sent to robertsteel1@nhs.net.
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Wellbeing:
- Wellbeing calendar of events and opportunities: We’ve got a host of brilliant events, development sessions and more on this page, including personal power, beating burnout and financial wellbeing.
- Caring for yourself matters more than ever: There’s just one week to go until our next virtual Schwartz Round. Whatever your role, this Schwartz Round will give you an opportunity to reflect on your own energy levels and your health and wellbeing. It takes place on Tuesday 23 March at 1pm. For more information or to get an invite please contact Ruth Bailey: Ruth.Bailey8@nhs.net.
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If you want us to cover any specific topics please let us know. It’s important we continue to work collectively to shape our comms so we get the most from it. Tell us more here: dchst.communications@nhs.net
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Many thanks
Issued on behalf of
William Jones
Chief Operating Officer & Accountable Emergency Officer
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS FT
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