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Information for ALL staff

Find the latest guidance here. (Updated 1 September 2022). 

Click here to view the updated advice in full.

In summary, those previously identified as CEV (clinically extremely vulnerable) are advised to follow the same guidance as the general public on staying safe and preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as any further advice they may have received from their doctors.

Pregnant workers are strongly advised to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines It is recommended that anyone who has not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine should get vaccinated. Evidence indicates that completion of the primary course of COVID-19 vaccine (either 2 or 3 doses) provides very effective protection against hospitalisation.

Latest COVID- 19 advice for NHS workers NHS staff will not be required to work from home and self-isolation can end after five full days following 2 negative lateral flow device tests taken 24 hours apart on days 5 and 6. Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated do not need to self-isolate.

Vulnerable workers and risk assessment (VWRA)

Risk assessments should be performed for vulnerable workers subject to risk factors, including:

  • Demographics such as ethnicity, age, gender etc.
  • Pregnancy at any stage of the pregnancy.
  • Underlying health conditions
  • Disability, health conditions or impairments that affect day to day living
  • Restrictions associated to personal beliefs, faith or to do with specific health risks.

Considering the above, it is now expected that most employees will be able to return to normal work responsibilities and duties. It is advisable, that before this happens, the employees should have a discussion with their line manager to explore potential individual concerns and identify mutually workable adjustments including timeframe for implementation, where possible.

For those still at high/very high risk, a VWRA assessment and/or pregnant worker risk assessment should be performed by the manager prior to return to normal duties.

This advice reflects the current situation. It is subject to further changes depending on developments around the pandemic.

Anybody that needs to report an absence of any sort must contact their manager in the first instance, as soon as they are aware that they cannot attend work, so that they can make arrangements for covering the gap that you will leave. Click here for more information.

Managers

If you have a member of staff off sick with Covid-19, you would need to complete this form and return to the IP&C inbox - E: DCHST.infectioncontrol@nhs.net.

You also need to report as normal on ESR using this as reference:

Manager Self Service - Absence                        

  • Absence Type - Sickness                                           
  • Level 1 reason - S27 Infectious diseases                                 
  • Level 2 reason - S27998 Other infectious disease                                                               
  • Related reason - Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Information for patient facing colleagues

Living with Covid

Infection prevention and control (IP&C) guidance continues to evolve as we journey through the Covid-19 pandemic.

NHS England has reclassified the NHS level of escalation from level four (national response) to level three (regional response) as a result of the sustained decline in community cases and hospital inpatient numbers. They have also produced new IP&C guidance to reflect our collective need across health and social care to maintain high standards of IP&C precautions, while learning to live with Covid-19 and beginning to move forward.

We’ve adapted it for health and care staff, inpatients, outpatients and visitors. 

You can download the new guidance here. 

This new guidance is largely focused on mask-wearing and distancing – in essence we are returning to where we would have worn a mask before the pandemic for most people. Guidance around testing & isolation and working from home remains unchanged for the time being.

Covid SOPs withdrawn and being replaced by Section 5.28 - Covid-19 

In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the SOPs (Covid-19 Assessment & Management Plan for Inpatients/UTC’s/Outpatients and Covid-19 Assessment & Management Plan for the Community) have been withdrawn.

They have been replaced with the Section 5.28 Covid-19 which has been incorporated into the Infection Prevention & Control policy.

Please do not hesitate to contact the IP&C team at DCHST.infectioncontrol@nhs.net or Tel 01246515870 if you have any queries.

Guidance for visitors and staff visiting sites

Following the government’s announcement of a relaxation in IP&C rules to apply to NHS locations we have reviewed our guidance for colleagues, patients and visitors.

This revised guidance for visitors can be printed out and displayed in your area. (Updated 13 June 22)