GMMH Staff News 29.10.2020

Welcome to your new weekly staff bulletin.

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GMMH Staff News

Forward

As we enter the Autumn and Winter months continuing our fight against coronavirus, we will continue to provide the most relevant and useful information and support to all our staff. This week, we share a number of COVID-19 updates, alongside other news from across the Trust.

Our number one priority continues to be the wellbeing of our staff. We understand the impact that moving into Tier 3 restrictions may be having on your mental and physical health, and so today we wanted to share with you our newly developed Wellbeing guides. We also share information about correspondence with patients and the opportunity to sign up to take part in COVID-19 trials.

Alcohol Awareness Week is taking place 16 - 22 November, and we have included details below. During the week, Achieve will be putting on a series of events, and I would urge you to share this information with any service users who you feel may benefit during this particularly difficult time.

We also share information about a campaign to support students who may be struggling with their mental health; Dr Bike's next visit to the Trust; IM&T Self Service rebrand; and guidance from the Information Governance team on email communications with service users.

Many thanks for your continued cooperation and please do look after yourselves.

Gill Green
Director of Nursing

In Today's Bulletin:

COVID-19 for Action
Alcohol Awareness Week
Student Mental Health
IM&T Self Service Rebrand
Dr Bike: free bike check-ups
Email Communications with Service Users

Please let us know what you think and if you would like to submit an item for inclusion, contact us at communications@gmmh.nhs.uk.

COVID-19 for Action

WELLBEING GUIDES

We've pulled together a range of wellbeing resources to help you as you help our patients deal with the pressures faced during this global health pandemic. We encourage everyone to make full use of these professional resources to help you look after your own mental and physical wellbeing. You can find these resources here:

Going Home Checklist
Guide to Wellbeing During COVID-19
Looking After Mental Wellbeing and Stress
Self Care During COVID-19

You can also find lots of information, support and activities for your mental and physical wellbeing on our intranet wellbeing page: https://newintranet/coronavirus-staff-wellbeing

If you can't find what you are looking for? Visit our Wellbeing for Everyone webpage: www.gmmh.nhs.uk/coronaviruswellbeing

COVID-19 VACCINE REGISTRY

The NHS Covid-19 vaccine research registry will help large numbers of people sign up to potentially take part in vaccine trials over the coming months, which could lead to an effective vaccine being identified and made available to the UK public against coronavirus earlier.

The system will enable researchers to quickly identify and match suitable and willing volunteers to appropriate vaccine trials.

It has been developed as part of the UK Government's Vaccine Taskforce, in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NHS Digital, and the Northern Ireland, Scottish and Welsh Governments.

Signing up and giving your permission to be contacted means you may be amongst the first to find out about opportunities to take part in trials and the latest, cutting-edge COVID-19 vaccines. There is no obligation to join in any study, if you are contacted.

You can find out more, and sign up to the registry, here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/research/coronavirus-vaccine-research/

Please do share this opportunity with service users as and when appropriate.

Alcohol Awareness Week with Achieve

Alcohol Awareness Week, 16 to 22 November 2020, is an opportunity for us to get thinking about drinking. This year's theme is Alcohol and Mental Health. The Achieve Bolton, Bury, Salford and Trafford teams are running several virtual events, open to all, to get people talking.

Coffee and Conversation, Wednesday 18 November 2020, 14:00 - 15:00. The annual information sharing alcohol quiz and mythbusting with Ross.
Booze and Your Brain: A discussion with SJ and Claire (CBT Therapist), Thursday 19 November 18:00 - 19:00. Have a chat about managing your mental health and alcohol.
Achieve does Task Master, Friday 20 November 2020, 11:00 - 12:00. Join the team for their own version of the reality TV show.

In honour of Alcohol Awareness Week UK, Alcohol Change UK has also developed a range of useful resources to help people find out about the impact of alcohol on your health, and to advise you.

You can download the event posters and Alcohol Change UK resources on the intranet and website. Please share with your networks, in particular any service users who you feel may be of benefit.

Student Mental Health

Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan has shared new guidance and tips for students who might be struggling with their mental health.

Please follow the link for Professor Prathiba's online guidance and a poster that can be downloaded, printed and shared online.

We need to ensure that students are able to access all the help and resources available to them, so please do share widely.

IM&T Self Service Rebrand

The 'smiley face' icon and 'Support Central' brand have changed.

To log your ICT requests you will now need to click the new icon (shown above) to access the IT Help Desk.

My Self Service, formerly GMMH Password Reset available via the IM&T Help Desk Portal, can now be used to update more details, as well as your password.

Dr Bike is back, offering free bike checks for GMMH staff!

As part of the Big Bike Revival for Key Workers, all GMMH staff have the opportunity for their bikes to be checked over, free of charge, on site at Prestwich Hospital 10 November.

Places will be on a first come first served basis, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Email communications with service users

Email can be used as a method of communication with service users, rather than letters sent using traditional Royal Mail services. There are advantages to doing this, including saving postage and stationery costs and speeding up processes.

The Information Governance team have created a guidance document, which includes a list of considerations which MUST be taken into account before using email to message patients.

It's time to get your flu jab!

This is anything but a typical year and we all want to protect ourselves and those close to us. Due to the potential impact of influenza and COVID-19, it is now more important than ever that we act to protect ourselves from getting the flu. To help keep you, your family, and the people we care for safe, I'm encouraging you to get your annual flu jab as soon as you can.

Events and Campaigns

Disability Awareness Day

Last week, in honour of Disability Awareness Day 2020, Michelle Clarkson shared a blog introducing herself, her role and the Staff Disability Network.