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News Article
Revealed: the NHS’s plan to protect BAME staff from COVID-19
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS faces a new set of wide-ranging requirements as part of a comprehensive plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic staff, HSJ has discovered. A draft NHS England/NHS Improvement document, seen by HSJ, proposes trusts ensure every staff member has “a risk assessment to keep them safe”. It says the centre will provide: “Guidance and support to employers on creating proactive approaches to risk assessment for BAME staff, including physical and mental health.” The document, Addressing Impact of Covid-19 on BAME Staff in the NHS, will call for five actions: 1. Every member of staff, current and returning, will have a risk assessment to keep them safe. 2. Every organisation with a CEO, and for primary care CCGs and ICSs, needs a BAME co-leader. 3. Diversity at every level of the health and care system starts with the podium, through our senior decision-making forums and across all organisations and at all levels of the workforce. 4. A bespoke health and wellbeing (including rehab and recovery) offer for BAME staff will be developed and rolled out for the system. 5. Every part of the system will use guidance on increasing diversity and inclusion in communications will be produced, led by the system. Read full story Source: HSJ, 6 April 2020 -
Content Article
Working as a hospital cleaner during coronavirus
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Blogs
A blog published in the Metro from a London hospital cleaner on how he is trying to keep himself safe during the coronavirus. "There are always fears you're going to get coronavirus but I try not to overthink it too much". -
Content ArticleWhat makes a great leader? In this TED talk, management theorist Simon Sinek suggests, it’s someone who makes their employees feel secure, who draws them into a circle of trust. But creating trust and safety, especially in an uneven economy, means taking on big responsibility.
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Content ArticleHealthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to a range of high and low molecular weight agents that are allergic sensitisers or irritants, including cleaners and disinfectants, natural rubber latex, and various medications. Studies have shown that exposed HCWs are at risk for work-related rhinitis and asthma (WRA). Work-related rhinitis may precede development of WRA and should be considered as an early marker of WRA. Avoidance of causative exposures through control strategies such as elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and process modification is the preferred primary prevention strategy for preventing development of work-related allergic diseases. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of respirators in preventing occupational asthma. If sensitizer-induced WRA is diagnosed, it is important to avoid further exposure to the causative agent, preferably by more rigorous application of exposure control strategies to the workplace. This review from Mazurek and Weissman focuses on allergic occupational respiratory diseases in HCWs.
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Content ArticleRoger Kline, Research Fellow at Middlesex University, highlights the three principles NHS organisations should take forward immediately to avoid unecessary staff deaths.
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Content ArticleThe theme of this Issue of Hindsight is ‘Wellbeing’, which has an undeniable link to safe operations, though this is not often spoken about. This Issue coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of the articles in this Issue were considering wellbeing in the context of aviation, and other industries. But the articles touch on topics that are deeply relevant to the pandemic. The spread of the virus and its effect on our everyday lives has brought the biological, psychological, social, environmental, and economic aspects of wellbeing into clear view in a way we have never seen before.
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Content ArticleThis month’s Letter from America shares perspectives on innovation at a personal, team and organisational level in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Letter from America is the latest in a Patient Safety Learning blog series highlighting new accomplishments in patient safety from the United States.
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Content ArticlePatient Safety Learning interviews a critical care outreach nurse from America to find out the challenges frontline teams are facing during the coronavirus pandemic.
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News Article
NHS staff coronavirus inquests told not to look at PPE shortages
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Inquests into coronavirus deaths among NHS workers should avoid examining systemic failures in provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), coroners have been told, in a move described by Labour as “very worrying”. The chief coroner for England and Wales, Mark Lucraft QC, has issued guidance that “an inquest would not be a satisfactory means of deciding whether adequate general policies and arrangements were in place for provision of PPE to healthcare workers”. Lucraft said that “if there were reason to suspect that some human failure contributed to the person being infected with the virus”, an inquest may be required. The coroner “may need to consider whether any failures of precautions in a particular workplace caused the deceased to contract the virus and so contributed to death”. But he added: “An inquest is not the right forum for addressing concerns about high-level government or public policy.” Labour warned the advice could limit the scope of investigations into the impact of PPE shortages on frontline staff who have died from COVID-19. “I am very worried that an impression is being given that coroners will never investigate whether a failure to provide PPE led to the death of a key worker,” said Lord Falconer, the shadow attorney general. “This guidance may have an unduly restricting effect on the width of inquests arising out of Covid-19-related deaths.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 29 April 2020- Posted
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News ArticleNHS staff from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds should be “risk-assessed” and possibly moved away from patient-facing roles during the coronavirus crisis, according to official guidance. A letter from NHS England acknowledges UK data showing these workers are being “disproportionately affected by Covid-19” and urges health trusts to make “appropriate arrangements”. Public Health England has been asked to look into the issue by the Department of Health, the letter from NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens and chief operating officer Amanda Pritchard said. “In advance of their report and guidance, on a precautionary basis we recommend employers should risk assess staff at a potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements accordingly,” he added. This could mean BAME health workers being relocated away from patient-facing roles or ensuring they are adequately fitted with personal protective equipment (PPE). Read full story Source: The Independent, 30 April 2020
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News Article
Has the government broken the law by putting NHS staff in harm's way?
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
We don’t yet know the number of NHS staff who have lost their lives in the battle against COVID-19. On Wednesday, Dominic Raab put the figure at 69, but the true figure is considered to be far greater. These deaths are not “natural” casualties of the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, they may be the result of a failure in the government’s duty to care for NHS staff, which is why it is vital it is properly investigated under the law. Since the pandemic reached the UK, we have heard countless reports of doctors and nurses raising the alarm over the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating COVID-19 patients. How many of these deaths could have been prevented had sufficient PPE been provided to NHS workers? And if there is a lack of PPE, how did this happen? The health secretary, Matt Hancock, says the biggest challenge is “one of distribution rather than one of supply”. Should more have been done to meet this challenge, and if so what? Does the government have a legal duty to do more to protect the lives of healthcare workers? There must be investigations into the individual deaths of NHS workers, out of respect to them, and also so that future deaths can be prevented. The evidence appears to be that the government has failed to protect them from risk to their lives, and if that is the case then an investigation will be required by law. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 25 April 2020 -
Content Article
COVID-19 FAQs: Royal College of Nursing
Claire Cox posted an article in Good practice and useful resources
This webpage written by the Royal College of Nursing, is designed for nurses and offers answers to frequently asked questions on coronavirus and the affect it has on their working life. Find out how to protect yourself, what you should expect from your employer and what to do if you have concerns. -
Content ArticleCumulative stress, compassion fatigue and trauma due to experiences with patient safety incidents impact the mental wellness of our healthcare providers. These factors contribute to inadvertent patient care errors, mental health issues and attrition which compromise patient safety. A peer support programme not only simply helps healthcare workers with their experiences with patient safety incidents but also improves the system and help make patient care safe. The Creating a Safe Space: Addressing the Psychological Safety of Healthcare Workers manuscript and the Canadian Peer Support Network are intended to assist healthcare organisations create peer-to-peer support programmes (PSPs) to improve the emotional well-being of healthcare workers and allow them to provide the best and safest care to their patients.
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News Article
Half of UK health workers suffering stress because of Covid-19
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Half of health workers are suffering mental health problems such as stress and trauma as a result of dealing with COVID-19, new research reveals. The pandemic is having a “severe impact” on the mental wellbeing of NHS personnel as well as agency staff, GPs and dentists, with rates of anxiety and burnout also running far higher than usual. New YouGov polling for the IPPR thinktank found that 50% of 996 healthcare workers questioned across the UK said their mental health had deteriorated since the virus began taking its toll. That emerged as the biggest impact on staff, just ahead of worries about their family’s safety because of a lack of testing and protective equipment for NHS workers (49%) and concern about their ability to ensure that patients receive high-quality care when the NHS is so busy (43%). As many as 71% of younger health professionals, who are likely to be inexperienced and early in their careers, said their mental health had deteriorated. More women were affected than men. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 23 April 2020 -
Content ArticleThe National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce supports Australia’s healthcare professionals with continually updated, evidence-based clinical guidelines. This website includes: guidelines decision Flowcharts research under review.
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Content ArticleThis guidance, from the Intensive Care Society, states that prone positioning is a simple intervention that can be done in most circumstances, is compatible with all forms of basic respiratory support and requires little or no equipment in the conscious patient. Given its potential for improving oxygenation in COVID-19 patients the authors advocate that a trial of conscious prone positioning be performed on all suitable patients on the ward. This guidance includes a flow diagram to identify when it may be beneficial to trial conscious proning.
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Content Article
Medical workers’ looming mental-health crisis
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Blogs
This blog published in the Intelligencer explores the impact COVID-19 will have on frontline staffs' mental health. -
News ArticleIn recent weeks, there has been sustained public and media interest in the death from COVID-19 of health and social care workers. Both mainstream and social media outlets have been reporting on these deaths individually or collectively, but there has been no formal analysis of this data. The deaths of 119 NHS staff have now been analysed by three leading clinicians and the results are been published by HSJ. HSJ highlights three key findings from the analysis: 1. The disproportionately high rate of BAME individuals among those who have died; 2. The absence of those members of staff considered at high risk of viral exposure and transmission; and 3. The overall rate of fatalities compared to the population. Read full story Source: HSJ, 22 April 2020
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News Article
Hancock: Staff should be free to speak out over coronavirus concerns
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
NHS staff should “feel free” to speak out about problems like protective equipment shortages, Matt Hancock has said, despite many having been warned not to do so. The health and social care secretary told the daily coronavirus briefing on 21 April that it’s “totally normal” for NHS staff to raise concerns about personal protective equipment shortages in their areas and said “transparency is important”. HSJ has heard from multiple senior local NHS leaders that they have been given strong warnings not to communicate externally about the COVID-19 response, with national officials seeking to closely grip information given to the media. There have been several reports of healthcare professionals having been “gagged” by hospitals and NHS bodies, with some reports of threats of disciplinary action if they raise concerns on social media or speak to journalists. Read full story Source: HSJ, 21 April 2020 -
Content Article
Midwifery during COVID-19: A personal account
Anonymous posted an article in Blogs
I am a case loading midwife, working during the coronavirus pandemic. This is my personal account of what we are doing in my area to keep our women and ourselves safe, and the barriers we are facing.- Posted
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Content ArticleEverybody responds differently to the stresses and strains of modern life. We all need and, to a degree, thrive on pressure: it gives us energy, helps with performance and inspires confidence. But excessive pressure can lead to stress. Stress may become a problem when someone feels they don’t have the resources to cope with the demands placed upon them. Harmful levels of stress can lead to a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. This booklet from the Devon Partnership NHS Trust aims to give you some very practical information and guidance – and provides spaces for you to make notes so you can make it work for you.
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Content ArticleMINDFUL EMPLOYER provides employers with easier access to information and support in relation to supporting staff who experience stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. Run by Workways, a service of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, MINDFUL EMPLOYER was developed with employers in Exeter and launched in October 2004. This completely voluntary initiative has since attracted interest and commitment from hundreds of small, medium and large employers from all sectors throughout the UK. The initiative provides a wide range of information and signposting to local, regional and national support services.
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Content Article
NHS Employers: Emotional wellbeing toolkit resources
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Staff safety
NHS Employers provide an emotional wellbeing toolkit to help you track your emotional wellbeing and support others. If you're a manager, a team leader or looking for yourself, there are resources here for you. -
Content ArticleThe UK IPC Guidance has been updated. This takes into account the latest assessment of the scientific evidence, and also the feedback from local providers on the ongoing impact on capacity that IPC measures are having.
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News Article
Coronavirus: Concern over protective kit guidance change
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Concerns have been raised that updated government guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) could put hospital staff and patients at risk. Healthcare workers have been advised to reuse gowns or wear different kit if stocks in England run low. Unions representing doctors and nurses have expressed concerns about the updated Public Health England guidance. Healthcare staff treating patients with Covid-19 have previously been advised to wear long-sleeved disposable fluid-repellent gowns. But Public Health England changed its guidance on Friday, outlining three options if the gowns are not available as "some compromise is needed to optimise the supply of PPE in times of extreme shortages". Read full story Source: BBC News, 18 April 2020
