Staff briefing roundup

Here’s a summary of what was covered in today’s staff briefing…

General update – Peter Wightman

COVID national and regional picture

• National alert remains at level 3
• R number for East of England is 0.7 to 0.9
• Further relaxation of lockdown measures for England have been postponed and face coverings became mandatory in more indoor settings from 8 August
• Regional restrictions for Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire have been extended to Preston. Local restrictions also remain in Leicester – to be reviewed 14 August
• Nationally, new cases detected by testing have risen over the past two weeks, with 816 reported across the UK on 10 August
• Patients admitted to hospital is not currently rising – 7-day average was 57 for England on 5 August
• Estimated patients in hospital continues to fall – down to 647 for England on 10 August
• Daily deaths decreasing with 21 reported on 10 August
• Hospital occupancy – 53 patients were in hospital within the East of England on 10 August – 8 on ventilators

Essex picture

• In the last 14 days (26 Jul – 8 Aug) – 113 positive cases in Essex:
  • At least one reported in each district
  • Highest rates in Epping Forest with 19 positive cases, Harlow has 8 and Uttlesford has 4. Chelmsford reported 16 positive cases
• There were no reported deaths in an Essex hospital w/e 9 August. Total remains 1,326
• Care homes:
  • ONS reporting of care home outbreaks is suspended until 3 September
  • As at suspension on 23 July, 44% of homes had reported outbreaks across Greater Essex
  • There were no reported COVID-19 related care home deaths w/e 31 July
  • Total remains 341 deaths
  • 3 of 191 deaths were from COVID-19 w/e 24 July
  • All-cause deaths have returned to normal levels
• Phase 3 national guidance plan – view Peter’s full presentation and supporting document
• Further letter came out regarding the role of PCNs – clinical directors need to be at the forefront of this
• Emphasis on meeting face-to-face GP appointments – finding a balance between virtual and face-to-face
• Ensuring the vulnerable don’t get lost in this process

Local update – Ian Tompkins

• Testing is still available here at St Margaret’s, Epping and across GP practices
• Antibody testing still available to book– details are on AskHUE
• Now focusing on community dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, social care, care homes and domiciliary workers
• If you have a positive test – it is not a COVID free pass, you should still be cautious and careful – these results are helpful for the science of mapping etc
• Flu vaccinations – eligibility has doubled in Essex – vaccinations are to complement what is in place alongside primary care
• Alongside flu, there’s the potential COVID vaccination – which we’re hoping may become available by end of the year
• The office risk assessment is being updated – this will be available on AskHUE early next week
• We’re also working on a risk assessment for staff who regularly visit or work in other building/settings, such as hospitals, care homes etc
• We need to develop a local People Plan – we’re working with EPUT, ECC, PAH, PHE to develop this – keen to involve the Staff Partnership Group and all staff in general
• Repeat risk assessments – may need to be carried out again mid to late September – given schools may be back in then, circumstances are likely to change for many staff members with children
• Staff workplace questionnaire – we may also look at sending out another survey in September, so you can let us know how you’re feeling about returning to the office
• Decluttering building – made good progress
• There will be a deep clean of all buildings across 20 and 21 August – nobody should be in the buildings on these dates – please email Ian if you have an queries about this
• We will be removing all blinds from the offices and putting transparent films on the windows instead. This will be carried out on 24 August
• Negotiating new cleaning schedules that are in line with the COVID government guidance
• Looking to get keypad system
• We’ve replaced all bins with foot pedal bins
• Hand sanitisers are now available across all buildings
• Buildings should be safe to return to by end of month, depending on whether the Executive committee agree it is safe to do so
• There will be a mixture of home and office working going forward
• Headsets – we have a supply of these. If you need a pair these are available to arrange for collection
• Windows 10 migration – planning to resurrect programme w/c 24 August
• All faults with IT – please report to IT help desk
• Do not move furniture around buildings
• If you need to take any equipment away please informing managers and Jackie Hall

Cycle to work scheme

• CCG buy the bikes and you have a HP agreement either a year or 3 years – can be longer
• It is offset from your payroll each month and at the end there is a balloon payment
• Overall you get a better saving than 10%
• You need to make sure you insure the bike – if it’s lost or stolen you will still need to make the payments
• Find more information on the Cycle scheme on AskHUE