Policy News - 26 July 2022

National Early Warning Score (News2) and the Monitoring and Recording of Vital Signs In Adult In-Patients Policy

This policy sets out the standards for recording vital signs and NEWS2, to assist in the recognition of deterioration in adult in-patients within STSFT.  The policy also provides instruction on the appropriate course of action and clinical response to patient deterioration, for adult inpatients. 

This policy does not include neonates, for whom the Newborn Early Warning Trigger and Track (NEWTT) system is used or paediatric patients under the age of 16 years, for whom the Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) is used. It also does not include maternity, for whom the Modified Early Warning Score for Obstetrics (MEOWS) devised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is used. 

The review of this policy has enabled a number of changes from the previous version; these include: 

• Updated to reflect changes since the Meditech Electronic Medical Record (EMR) roll out across STDH. 
• Better clarity of the role of the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) in regards to the escalation process. 
• Better clarity regarding the required action/escalation for NEWS of 1-4 (low risk) 
• Alignment with the Trust STSFT Clinical Guideline: Sepsis: Recognition, Diagnosis and Early Management in Adults.                                     

This policy applies to all clinical staff who are responsible for the recording and interpretation of vital observations and NEWS2; this includes locums, agency staff, bank staff, students and staff on honorary contracts, working across inpatient services. 

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Social Media Policy

We have updated our Trust Social Media Policy which outlines the appropriate use of social media by all staff both in a personal and professional capacity. It outlines expected behaviours and personal responsibilities and applies to all staff who choose to use social media, either for personal or professional use.

The updated policy includes updated guidance on the use of mobile messaging apps in a workplace capacity.  It confirms that staff must now use Microsoft (MS) Teams, which is the Trust’s secure platform, when communicating about Trust related business.  MS Teams includes group chat functionality and an app which can be safely downloaded and used on both personal and Trust mobile phones, as well as on desktop computers and tablets (either personal or Trust owned equipment).  Line managers are asked to take steps to ensure staff are aware of the Trust’s permitted mobile messaging platform (MS Teams) and develop business continuity plans (i.e. group chat / distribution lists) as appropriate.  

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Staff Rostering (excluding doctors) Policy

The Trust's Staff Rostering Policy, which applies to all staff except doctors, has recently been reviewed and updated.

The policy describes the framework for creating, managing and approving ward and department rosters to ensure that staff are rostered fairly, effectively and efficiently to maintain safe and high-quality standards of care. 

It also describes the process and deadlines for finalising and submitting rosters to payroll to try to make sure that all staff are paid accurately and on time each month.

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Moving and Handling Policy

This policy describes how the Trust will comply and maintain compliance with  regulations. It will ensure that the Trust actively reduces the risk of injury from moving and handling.   This policy applies to all Trust employees as well as any agency and bank workers, students and volunteers who are required to undertake moving and handling activities.   The policy outlines duties of all members of staff as well as the various training requirements for staff groups.

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Concerns and Complaints Policy

This policy has been reviewed and updated.  Its purpose is to:

• ensure complaints are dealt with in a timely, robust and transparent manner;
• ensure high quality responses are provided and the resulting learning opportunities are cascaded throughout the Trust; and
• describe the Trust’s approach to managing concerns and complaints in accordance with national guidance.

The policy explains the means by which a patient or their representative can raise a concern or complaint and the responsibilities of staff to whom the complaint is addressed. It also outlines the action to be taken by the departments involved and offers guidance on good practice at each stage of the process. It is also applicable to all staff in respect of complaint handling.

The policy also aims to provide staff with information to empower them to resolve the concerns or complaints immediately wherever possible, or where not possible, inform them of the formal routes available to complainants and their responsibilities within those procedures.

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