Public Board of Directors papers 27.01.22

Key lines of enquiry

Evidence

Gaps in assurance Mitigating actions

Systems and processes are in place to ensure that: Staff seek advice when required from their IPCT/occupational health department/GP or employer as per their local policy.

Staff are encouraged to seek advice from their line manager, occupational health department, GP or employer regarding their physical and psychological health. This can either be via self- referral or line manager. There is a wide range of support resources on the ‘Looking after You’ section of the trust intranet which are also promoted in the daily communications briefings when new or updated resources are available. Examples of support resources include the Employee Assist Programme, Occupational Health, Freedom to Speak UP, Looking after You guides for staff, wellbeing conversations and buddies, vaccine support information, mindfulness and Pause & Refresh. https://hive.xchristie.nhs.uk/Interact/Pages/Section/Default.aspx ?Section=5645 Bank, agency and locum staff follow the same deployment advice and have access to the intranet. Agency staff would in addition have additional support through the agency they are contracted to. Staff fully vaccinated against COVID-19 who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case can return to work following an approved risk assessment and where required additional mitigations put in place dependent on the individual’s role. The trust has always followed national guidance. However, at times and approved by the clinical advisory group have instigated additional measures above and beyond that of national guidance to further protect the vulnerability of our patient group. See Standard Operating Procedure for COVID-19 Test to Release staff advised to isolate in exceptional circumstances.

Bank, agency, and locum staff follow the same deployment advice as permanent staff.

Staff who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are a close contact of a case of COVID-19 are enabled to return to work without the need to self- isolate (see Staff isolation: approach following updated government guidance)

C1501: Infection prevention and control board assurance framework (24 December 2021 Version 1.8) – January 2022

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