Update on operational pressures and IPC guidance

Update on operational pressures and IPC guidance

Update on operational pressures and IPC guidance

We are seeing increasing pressure across the Trust in the run up to Christmas.  There is lots of flu and other winter illnesses which are going around at the moment.  We want to do all we can to protect you and our patients.   With effect from tomorrow (Thursday 22 December):

• we are changing our PPE guidance for staff click here.  This means you must wear a facemask at all times when you are in a clinical area.  For community staff, you must wear a facemask when you go into a patient’s home.  All wards and departments will continue to receive facemasks for staff as part of weekly PPE deliveries.  Any queries please speak to your materials management stock controller or call Ext: 47925. 

• we will ask visitors to wear a facemask when they come onto the wards.  We know this is difficult for you to police so please just try your very best.  We will put new posters up on all ward doors.  We will also issue a public appeal to help get this message to visitors.  This will also ask people not to visit if they feel unwell themselves.  This is to help stop the spread of winter illnesses.  To see our visitor guidance click here.

There is lots of other important things for you to do to stop viruses spreading.  It is important that we all keep sticking to the basics.  Keep washing your hands often.  Make sure you do this after every time you touch a patient.  Please do not wear your uniform outside of work or when travelling to and from work. 

As we manage these pressures, we are asking staff to help.  Please cancel any meetings or study leave which is not essential at the moment.  We will need everyone’s help to support the Trust in the weeks ahead.

We will issue a further update in the New Year.

Thank you so much to everyone working so hard at the current time.

Thank you #TeamSTSFT