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<\/span><\/div>31 March 2020 Dear Colleagues<\/p>\n As the week continues, so does our response evolve.\u00a0 I can honestly say that it feels like we achieve an enormous amount each day. I have never seen such willingness and support to evolve, develop and respond!\u00a0 Makes me proud to be part of your team.\u00a0 Today\u2019s topics:<\/p>\n STAFF REALLOCATION SURVEY<\/strong><\/p>\n I am regularly asked by our staff, \u2018how can we help?\u2019, \u2018what more can I do?\u2019. I would like to draw your attention to a survey that was emailed to you all via a Staff Update earlier today.<\/p>\n This survey allows personnel who are not currently working in essential roles or have identified that they have capacity and want to step up to do more to contribute to our response to COVID-19 to identify themselves so that we can match them with opportunities to support our community and colleagues.<\/p>\n In the first 40 minutes of the survey going online, we received a swift response from many of you \u2013 which encourages me that I am surrounded by staff committed to excellent health care, even when the \u2018chips are down\u2019.<\/p>\n We will start using this information to match skilled and available staff to available roles from 6 April. If you can, please register your interest here<\/a>.<\/p>\n VULNERABLE STAFF <\/strong><\/p>\n We recognise that not all staff will be available for reallocation to frontline COVID-19 roles, and that some may no longer be able to continue in their current role.\u00a0 We are continuing to refine our advice and support for staff who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and will shortly release additional guidance for identification to your supervisor and availability of roles or tasks that will be more suitable for you. Please watch out for this guidance.<\/p>\n DIGITAL VISITOR ARRANGEMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Yesterday I spoke about changes to hospital visitor arrangements that are designed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. We know that visits play an important role in a patient\u2019s recovery, but the safety of our patients, staff and visitors is paramount.<\/p>\n I am delighted to inform you of the hard work being done by Digital Metro North to enable \u201cdigital visitor arrangements\u201d.\u00a0 We recognise that the support of family and friends is a very important part of recovery from any illness, and so wanted to be sure that we can enable visits in any way that we can in despite COVID-19.<\/p>\n There is now information available to share with patients and their families \/ friends how they can visit \u2018virtually\u2019!\u00a0 This includes information how to connect with patients via Apple devices<\/a> and Android devices<\/a> is available from our online Patient Resources.<\/p>\n I encourage you all to familiarise yourself with this information so that you can freely share it with your patients, and their intended visitors.\u00a0 The more we spread this news around, the better connected our patients will be with their loved ones.<\/p>\n Great work Digital Metro North.<\/p>\n VIRTUAL STAFF ENGAGEMENT <\/strong><\/p>\n Last week, Shaun (our CE) mentioned that we will step up our communication each week, and include a pattern for you to engage with those in Executive and leadership roles both in Metro North and in our Directorates. Our first Vidcast kicked off yesterday with Shaun and Jackie (our COO), with a very large number of staff who attended, lots of great questions and a wide range of actions (one being the staff survey that I mentioned earlier).<\/p>\n Today, saw a Vidcast with our consumer engagement representatives, and one with TPCH\u2019s Infection Control Nurse, Janice Geary. \u00a0Tomorrow\u2019s agenda has Dr Alex Chaudhuri TPCH\u2019s Director of Infectious Diseases holding a Vidcast.\u00a0 These are all great opportunities for you to \u2018log on\u2019 and check out what\u2019s happening, and maybe even ask a burning question.<\/p>\n I encourage you all to come forward with your questions, keep an open mind and engage with our experts.\u00a0 You are key to our ongoing success!!!<\/p>\n Kind regards Metro North HHS \u2013 Overview of Cases*<\/strong><\/p>\n *With effect 1000 31 March 2020
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nDr Liz Rushbrook<\/strong>
\nMetro North Health Incident Controller<\/p>\n\n\n
\n Confirmed COVID-19 Cases<\/strong><\/td>\n Fever Clinics<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Number of clinics<\/strong><\/td>\n Presentations<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Virtual Ward<\/strong><\/td>\n Inpatient Ward<\/strong><\/td>\n Inpatient ICU<\/strong><\/td>\n Recovered<\/strong><\/td>\n Yesterday<\/strong><\/td>\n Total<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 141<\/td>\n 19<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n 68<\/td>\n 6<\/td>\n 327<\/td>\n 7783<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n**Metro North has one recorded death<\/p>\n<\/div>