Daily briefing – 02/07/2020

Latest information and guidance for all GMMH staff

Dear colleague, Today we want to say a huge thank you to all our aspirant nurses and those staff who supported them to become a vital members of GMMH teams. Aspirant nurses are those who are engaged within their final year of the nursing degree. We were delighted to welcome over 240 aspirant nurses to the Trust during the fight against COVID-19. They all gained valuable frontline care experience, stepping out of their current student programmes to support GMMH teams. Their contribution has been amazing and they have been incredibly valued, and we would like to thank each and every one of them. This was an unprecedented situation and a daunting prospect for someone new to nursing, however they all committed themselves fully to the COVID-19 effort. It is with pleasure we can let you know that over 100 of these aspirant nurses have chosen to stay with GMMH as registered nurses. We also want to say a big thank you to all our nurses who have been so incredible during the pandemic, including those who came back from retirement and others who extended their hours. Thank you also to the Resource Operational Cell, HR and supporting corporate colleagues for mobilising so quickly and supporting the recruitment process. Today we are sharing our usual round up of good news stories as well as a BBC Radio news bulletin featuring Dr Mark Bowers. I hope you enjoy today’s briefing. Best wishes,

Andrew Maloney Deputy Chief Executive/Director of HR

Today’s Key Messages:

Positive news round-up:  The London Symphony Chorus has honoured health and care workers who have died from coronavirus, by performing Never to Forget. The names of the first 122 workers reported to have died make up the text behind the video. The piece of music will premiere on YouTube at 10am this Sunday 5 July 2020 to coincide with the 72nd birthday of the NHS. It is to be a ‘virtual, visual and acoustic memorial project dedicated to UK health and care workers who have died.’ You can watch a trailer here. (Source: Classic FM)  Many of us have been getting fitter during lockdown. The NHS app – Couch to 5K – has had a boost in downloads between March and the end of June with more than 858,000 downloads – a 92% increase over the same period in 2019. (Source: The Daily Telegraph)  Scientist believe lockdown saw the biggest reduction in CO2 emissions since World War Two (Source: The Happy Broadcast)  Up to a third of healthy people without symptoms of coronavirus may have developed immunity to it, international research suggests. The findings suggest that public immunity could be twice that found in antibody tests, meaning infection hotspots such as London could be further along the path to herd immunity than thought. The results come after a study of an Italian town that was among the first in Europe to be hit by the virus showed that 40% of those infected had no symptoms. (Source: The Daily Telegraph)

The impact of COVID-19 on children’s mental health:  Dr Mark Bowers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Bolton CAMHS was featured in the BBC Radio Manchester news bulletin on Wednesday 1 July 2020  The section discusses how children may struggle with their mental health during the pandemic; and how they and their parents can speak openly to problem solve any issues that do come up  You can listen online here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08h3b5w (01:13 – 01:48)

Marsha Tarvet, Workforce Development Manager: “Can we have a big shout out to Ken, Jane and Andy at FST Edenfield who have worked so hard keeping the FST cafe/shop running 7 days at Edenfield during lockdown. Providing refreshments and snacks for the service users and staff. They really have been GMMH stars  ”

Amanda Essien, CPN, Older Adults Team: “I would like to nominate and thank the STR workers in the team for stepping up and supporting all the Care Co- ordinators in the team with client contacts and alternate ways of working during COVID. They have been making calls, visiting at home in full PPE and supporting people they have never worked with before. Particular thanks to my 'buddies' working on my case load - Jude Hardman and Lorraine Gunshon who looked after my ladies and gents when I was redeployed to Woodlands, keeping an eye on them and ensuring those clients were well and safe, I really appreciate it.”

Vicki Frame and Elizabeth Wilson, Staff Nurses: “Andersen Ward would like to nominate their fabulous aspirant nurses, Sammy, Sophie and Kerri. Their hard work and dedication has been invaluable throughout this time. It has been a pleasure to have them as part of the team. We feel they have gone above and beyond and we would like to say a massive “Thank you!”. You will make incredible nurses.”

Jacqui Mullarkey, Admin and Operation Support Manager: “I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the Admin staff in Trafford who have gone above and beyond to ensure that all teams are supported during this period. We have had several staff working from home which has worked well. The communication has been excellent between teams/colleagues and line managers to ensure the continuity of service provision. The Admin Managers have co-ordinated rotas to ensure that services are covered and staff are working in safe conditions following the appropriate guidelines. As we look to bring staff back into work safely, I would like to express my appreciation for those who have adapted to working from home as well as those who have remained in work throughout. Well done to all! Great job!!”

Thank you