Heartbeat March 2020

Welcome to the March edition of
Heartbeat.
We find ourselves in this unique and
unparalleled situation. In tough times
our workplace has shown just how
caring and kind it is – something we
can all be proud of.
This month we bring you stories from
across the organisation. Please enjoy
and catch up on the latest news from
your colleagues.
Contact us
Communications Team
Ext 5303
swbh.comms@nhs.net
Communications Department
Ground Floor, Trinity House
Sandwell Hospital
Published by
Communications Team
Sandwell and West Birmingham
Hospitals NHS Trust
Designed by
Medical Illustration,
Graphics Team
Sandwell and West Birmingham
Hospitals NHS Trust
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swbh.comms@nhs.net
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FROM THE CHAIR
Everyone matters as we work
with flexibility and kindness
I have been overwhelmed over recent
weeks by the dedication of colleagues
in our acute medical unit, teams in
theatres, the new Care Homes Service,
primary care and our midwives too,
all working differently to help meet
the challenge of COVID-19. The Board
stands with you. The compassion of
our teams is inspiring particularly in
our A&Es and acute medical areas. I
know that many of you are frightened
and concerned, and that you have
loved ones who echo those fears. At
a senior clinical and managerial level
we are needing to make sense of what
has to happen, learning from London
and overseas, and trying to balance
a Trust response, with one from the
wider region, and consider national
instructions too.
Last Friday we reviewed progress as a Board
and talked through with Toby, Liam and the
team how the first few weeks of mobilisation
had gone. It is clear locally and nationally
that PPE is a real issue with some stock
inflow being patchy. We have gone above
PHE recommendations in many cases. We
have a few hoarders internally and our initial
supply to community settings was not clear
to all colleagues. With the new stock rooms
at the Lyng, D18 and so on, and with the
army now organising the drop, I believe
we can get to a place where – if we can
sort scrubs – we can be confident of
coming on shift with what you need, even
as we expand.
Testing for staff is a nationwide issue. I was
pleased that we were pretty much first out
of the start gate ten days ago with
swabbing, and huge thanks to our
community testers for that. Now the
country is gearing up to “test, test, test”
and I know we will want to make sure that
local GPs, social workers, nurses and ward
service officers are at the forefront. With
the strength of our laboratories within Black
Country Pathology I am sure we are well
placed to begin to get on top of this. The
evidence from overseas seems clear that part
of the curve flattening comes from getting
organised and targeted tests.
However heroic the language used nationally
or locally, the pandemic will bring tragedy
into households and trauma for teams who
see people die before their time, and possibly
without some of their family members able
to visit. We have emphasised psychological
wellbeing and I would urge you to use the
services on offer. Confide in colleagues.
Take time out. Find space to support others.
Where you can, find private places to discuss
your concerns, without showing our patients
the anxiety we share. With social distancing,
and better use of technology, we can find
safe ways to give each other time and
respect and try to support one another.
I know that being asked to work so
differently is an extraordinary request - being
asked to move to a hotel room (or caravan).
I share your worry about other patients
delayed from our care. I am pleased we
have prioritised End of Life Care with the
changes at Leasowes. It is really important
that we look after people with underlying
health conditions among our students, staff
and volunteers. I suspect we are getting
our response broadly right, but sometimes
precisely wrong. Everyone matters and
we need to work hard to find individual
solutions, with flexibility and kindness. We
really do want to hear from you to learn
of your concerns so please get in touch.
We support the difficult decisions you are
having to make as we gear up and see more
patients needing our care. The Trust and NHS
will come through this, as will the country.
How we look after each other now will
define what comes next. Stay well and wash
your hands, often.
Richard Samuda, Trust Chairman
Harjinder Kang, Vice-Chairman
Kate Thomas, Non-Executive Director
Lesley Writtle, Non-Executive Director
Marie Perry, Non-Executive Director
Mick Laverty, Non-Executive Director
Mike Hoare, Non-Executive Director
Waseem Zaffar, Non-Executive Director
Chairman, Richard Samuda