COVID-19 - LWH Staff Information Hub

As a health or social care worker, you’re more likely to be exposed to the flu and COVID-19 viruses, which can be life threatening. You also care for people who may be at greater risk and it’s easy to pass these viruses on without knowing.

Having your COVID-19 autumn booster and your flu vaccine will help protect you and your family and friends from potentially serious illness, as well as the people you provide care for.

Download a leaflet to find out more including some common FAQ's - Covid and Flu Leaflet

Details will be made available once we receive the Covid booster information for Autumn/Winter 2023

Elective and emergency admitted patients should have Covid-19 testing as per the LWHFT SOP

COVID-19 testing during a period of low prevalence

Patients in the following categories should be placed into a side room (with ensuite facility) and have a Covid -19 PCR sent to the laboratory:

• Patient admitted with symptoms of Covid-19 (or Influenza)
• Patient who develops symptoms, suggestive of covid -19 or Influenza, whilst an inpatient
• Patients who are immunosuppressed

Combined swabs for Influenza should be sent at the same time.

A lateral flow test can be used in GED or MAU to support the safe placement of symptomatic patients.

Staff should wear appropriate PPE. Please provide any symptomatic or covid positive patient with a facemask too. Don’t forget to display the IPC Droplet poster.

Any patients who return a positive lateral flow test, prior to / on admission, or a positive PCR test result for Covid -19 should be isolated for a full 5 days or until discharge home.

(Day 0 = day of first positive result)

There may be some instances where a risk assessment can be made to allow a patient to step down from isolation early. This decision should be made in conjunction with the IPC Team and can only occur from day 6 provided the patient has 2 negative lateral flow tests 24 hours apart.  

Any Lateral flow test result taken should be uploaded to digiCare. 

Please remember to also make a digiCare referral to the Infection Prevention and Control team especially if admitted directly from home and already Covid-19 positive.

Staff should follow the LWFT SOP - COVID-19 testing during a period of low prevalence 

The Trust's visiting policy is now almost back in line with pre-pandemic arrangements. This may change depending on any rise in cases of Covid-19 in the future. For the latest visiting information and other advice for patients and visitors please visit: https://www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/covid19/

Changes to mask wearing guidance

The wearing of face coverings for staff, patients and visitors is now optional in all areas of the Trust’s premises. To clarify, this means you are only required to wear a face mask if you are providing care to someone with confirmed, or suspected, Covid-19 infection (or similar infection eg flu). 

This decision is based on IPC advice and guidance, taking into consideration the following:

• The Covid-19 rate across the Liverpool region.
• The number of Covid-19 positive patient cases within LWH.
• The level of Covid-19 related staff absences within LWH.
• Likely emergence of any new variant

The Trust’s IPC Team and Covid-19 Oversight Group have a system in place for the long-term decision making on when face coverings will or will not be required. The following summarises the different measures we will introduce depending on the above factors. As we approach autumn and winter it is likely that we may move between different measures so please be aware that the current situation is likely to change and it is important that we work together to ensure that staff, patients and visitors are following the correct advice. Any changes to the measures will be clearly communicated.

Tier 1 – Face coverings required only when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected infection

Tier 2 – Face coverings required in areas where patient care is provided, optional in non-clinical areas.

Tier 3 – Face coverings required in all areas of the Trust.

We are currently adopting Tier 1 measures.

Please note, regardless of which of the above measures are in place, anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a face covering may do so.

Sensible measures such as ventilation and hand hygiene are essential as larger groups gather in individual spaces

Please play your part in allowing us to gradually and safely transition back to normal life at LWH. Ensure there is good ventilation in any spaces where large numbers of people are gathering and make sure there is adequate hand hygiene measures such as bottles of hand gels on tables or make sure they are easily accessible. You are also reminded that if you feel personally safer by continuing to wear a face mask in all environments across LWH, this is your right to do so.

We aim to keep this staff information hub up to date at all times. However on some occasions you may find that announcements are made nationally at short notice.

If you hear any announcements on the national news or from other sources you will always find the most up to date and accurate information via the Covid-19 section of GOV.UK website here:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Staff should follow the LWFT SOP - COVID-19 testing during a period of low prevalence 

Do I need a risk assessment?

Every member of staff must have a risk-assessment, and this should be reviewed if there is any change in job role, health condition of staff member or any other reason they may be more at risk of covid

The purpose of the risk assessment is to understand the level of potential risk and offer support and adjustments if necessary.

If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your manager who will review the risk assessment with you, or complete it if this has not already occurred. If you have concerns or queries you do not wish to raise with your manager or want someone else to do a risk assessment, there are other sources of support available:

• Occupational Health x 0151 529 0803
• HR Team x 1694
• Freedom to Speak up Guardian – Kevin Robinson
• Health and Safety Manager- Lisa Murphy (Interim)
• Mental Health First Aider Link- Paula Jones, Perinatal Mental Health Midwife
• Staff Support and Counselling Line x 0151 330 8103

A new version of the risk assessment was published in November 2021

Risk Assessment guidance

 Pregnant women 28 weeks+

• If you are in your first or second trimester (less than 28 weeks pregnant), with no underlying health conditions, you should practise social distancing but can continue to work in a patient-facing role, provided the necessary precautions are taken.

You should avoid, where possible, caring for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection. If this is not possible, you should use personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure a thorough risk assessment is undertaken.

Some working environments, such as operating theatres, respiratory wards and intensive care/high dependency units, carry a higher risk for all pregnant women of exposure to the virus and all healthcare workers in these settings are recommended to use appropriate PPE.

• The most recent advice is that those who are 28 weeks+ can work patient facing, having completed a risk assessment. Individual circumstances will be taken into account with non-patient facing roles being considered where possible. Lead Employer employed doctors are not permitted to work in patient facing roles from 28 weeks

Pregnant staff should undertake a covid risk assessment and an ‘expectant mothers’ risk assessment

risk assessment

Occupational Health can also provide advice on employment health queries related to Covid-19 and can be contacted on 0151 529 3803.

How are staff being supported in these difficult times?

The Trust offers an advice line run by Mersey Care who can provide advice and signposting on a range of issues including employment, health and financial. They can be contacted on 0151 330 8103

The Trust’s team of Mental Health First Aiders are also a source of advice and support and will part of the team Floor-walking around the Trust and available to contact directly.

How can I arrange a resilience mini session for my team?

Stress resilience mini sessions are designed to take place in ward and departments. This is a 20 minute session for 2-3 people at a time (dependent on room size). Please liaise with your manager and Alison Carrol Alison.Carroll@lwh.nhs.uk and/or the HR team to arrange.

The NHS has made wellbeing Apps available to NHS staff. Which are they and how do I access these?

Several very good free apps are available through App stores: 

• Unmindis free (you need an nhs email account to log in)
• Headspaceis free until Dec 2020 (you need an NHS email account to log in)
• Sleepio(an app to improve sleep) and Daylight (to reduce worry and anxiety) are both available free through bighealth.com.

There is also a one hour free online mental health course for employees during stressful periods is available through Team Mental Health: https://teammentalhealth.co.uk/courses/workplace-foundation-online-module-roi-nq/

How do I access the NHS mental health hotline?

In addition to the local provision through Mersey Care, the NHS has launched a mental health hotline for NHS staff as we tackle Covid-19.Trained volunteers will listen to NHS staff and give psychological support to those in need. The phone line will be open between 7am and 11pm every day, while the text service will be 24/7. To learn more and access additional online resources, visit: https://people.nhs.uk/

Categories of leave

Managers have been advised to record staff absence in the following categories:

Fit Mask Tests can be arranged by contacting our on-site Fit Mask Tester, Mark Lazenby.

We are able to offer fit mask testing in the Fit Mask Testing Hub on the 2^nd Floor (opposite Bedford, close to the Doctors Mess, last room on the left) from 0930 with the last morning test at 1230.  Afternoon session will be from 1330 with the last afternoon test at 1630.  Some evening sessions are currently being considered.

FFP3 type masks are essential for staff who are involved in AGPs or are a part of the Resus Team.  Staff who are involved in aerosol generating processes or who are a part of the Resus Team and who do not have a current fit mask certificate, new starters, anyone who has had a significant weight change, significant dental surgery or cosmetic procedures such as face fillers since last tested should book an appointment as a priority.  Staff are required to be retested every two years.

Mark will predominantly be using the hood and solution method of testing at these sessions.  Staff should be reminded:

• not to eat, drink (except for water) or smoke/vape for at least 30 minutes before the test
• to bring inhalers if these have been prescribed
• to bring a bottle of drinking water
• staff must be clean shaven to be fit mask tested
• a fit mask test takes around 30  minutes to complete, you may need two appointments as all staff are mandated as having to have two FFP3 mask types safely tested for (this is for stock resilience)

Mark can be contacted on extension 4188, direct dial 0151 702 4188 or by email at charlesmark.lazenby@lwh.nhs.uk