Publish date: 24 December 2021
You’ll all be aware there is increasing pressure on hospitals and NHS services, which has intensified in recent days with concerns over the Omicron variant.
We’re asking all services to review their business continuity plans and non-essential meetings should be cancelled.
This is a live incident and the situation is ever changing and I’d like to ask you all to please follow the guidance in relation to the prevention and spread of the virus. Keep yourself and your teams updated with all announcements, news or changes to practice. We want you, our patients, service users and carers to be confident about their safety in Mersey Care. Visit YourSpace COVID-19 staff guidance.
Special thank you to our “resilient, resourceful” vaccinators
The Chief Executive has received a letter from Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, the North West Director of Commissioning, thanking vaccinators. Joe would like to share it with the team and all who’ve enabled our offer of jabs and boosters. The letter can be found on YourSpace.
Isolation guidance for fully vaccinated staff
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and UK Government have made changes to the guidance for households with confirmed (PCR) coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
Staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 may now be able to end their self-isolation period after seven days (previously the requirement has been 10 days), following two negative lateral flow device (LFD) tests taken 24 hours apart, on days 6 and 7. The first LFD test should not be taken before the sixth day. Further guidance can be found in the Trust’s updated standard operating procedure (SOP).
Canteens and bistros
There are limited opening hours for our canteens and bistros. Food and drinks must be takeaway only, please follow the link to YourSpace and further detail regarding Trust bistro/cafes.
Lateral flow devices
Please remember to order enough LFTs for the extended holiday period. There is still a high demand for ordering these devices online and therefore an increase in delivery slots from 500,000 to 900,000 has been made. We are also aware that pharmacy stocks have been updated. The form for ordering extra stocks is for emergency and maternity services only, orders for staff via this route will be declined.
You can find out how to collect rapid lateral flow tests locally here: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/ and you can collect test kits at your local pharmacy. TIP: when you go online remember to put the postcode in where you want to pick up tests and you will be directed to a local pick up point. There is also an online service that staff can use, and tests should arrive within two days.
Corporate Services Directory
Please find a Corporate Directory of Services for key contacts over the festive period on YourSpace.