Covid-19 Bulletin

The Covid-19 Support Team has produced a helpful bulletin with an update on the current measures around Covid-19.  

Symptoms of COVID-19:-

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms and are on leave or on rest days, the Trust still requires to be informed, given that any positive cases must be reported to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and contract tracing will be required.

Once you have reported symptoms to the COVID Lead, please remain in contact. Please note they may call you from an unknown number. This is part of the Absence Policy and we would appreciate your support with this matter in order that we can offer welfare and support as you and your families deal with the effects of COVID-19.

Isolation period:-

Read the updated COVID-19 positive isolation guidance. 

AGP breaches:-

Based upon the learning from the Trust, there will be a new process for dealing with this situation. If a patient is confirmed as positive, then the crew will stand down immediately and take LFT and PCR tests for 10 days.

If the patient is not confirmed as positive, then the staff will remain at work, take a PCR in their own time, and LFT’s for 10 days. You may be asked to complete a reflective practice by your manager if they deem this is appropriate, depending upon the circumstances.

LFT kits:-

The way you order LFT kits has now changed. You can log on to gov.uk/get-collect-code and they will send you a code that you can take to your pharmacy who will provide you with a pack of LFT tests.

If you have any problems with this, please inform your manager as there is a limited amount of stock available in the Trust.

LFT/PCR and Symptoms:-

There have been occasions where people have had symptoms but not reported them due to a negative LFT. If you are symptomatic, you must report and go for a PCR test, regardless of a negative LFT. 

Home Working:-

With the recent government guidance, and aligned with our safe working practices, any staff who can perform tasks remotely, should be working from home wherever possible.

If you are unable to work at home effectively, you should be able to work in a COVID Safe environment.

You manager will be able to give you additional support and guidance on this subject if you are unsure as to how this relates to your personal situation.

Break times:-

There have been instances reported whereby teams are choosing to have meal breaks together in groups, with multiple staff and not wearing PPE. This causes a risk of transmission within the workplace. COVID does not take a break when you do and as such we must adhere to the working safely instructions at all times.

• Meal breaks should be staggered to ensure that a whole teams not need to congregate in groups whilst eating lunch. This includes all Trust staff.
• Operations staff should stagger meal breaks but also utilise satellite stations where possible to reduce footfall on sites.
• Meal break areas must conform to working safely, and room occupancy must be adhered to. Two meter distancing should be in place as staff will not be wearing masks whilst eating. Do not sit near each other whilst eating or throughout the break.
• Good hand hygiene should be followed.
• Any tables or facilities need to be wiped down before and after use with disinfectant wipes, by the user.
• Do not share food or drinks with other staff.
• If there are too many staff in a break area, so that distancing cannot be met adequately, report it to your manager.

AWD:-

Some staff, that are being stood down due to a high risk COVID-19 contact, may be requested to attend the workplace for prioritised essential tasks. These must be tasks that cannot be performed remotely. 

Observers:-

No observers should be riding out with our crews until this has been agreed by the Trust taking into consideration all aspects of COVID-19. 

BSE Placements:-

BSE students can continue to attend placements with the Trust. 

 

Please stay safe and well. We hope that you and your loved ones have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Published 22nd December 2021
Updated 23rd December 2021