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IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Update for our members

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BREAKING NEWS: updated guidance from Public Health on COVID-19: infection prevention and control

2nd April 2020 admin Uncategorised

BREAKING NEWS: updated guidance from Public Health on COVID-19: infection prevention and control

For full details click on link here

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control

Main changes to previous guidance

The main changes are:

enhanced PPE recommendations for a wide range of health and social care contexts
inclusion of individual and organisational risk assessment at local level to inform PPE use
recommendation of single sessional (extended) use of some PPE items
re-usable PPE can be used. Advice on suitable decontamination arrangements should be obtained from the manufacturer, supplier or local infection control
guidance for when case status is unknown and SARS-CoV-2 is circulating at high levels
recommendation on patient use of facemasks

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe )

Below are links to various groups of staff and the PPE required.

1. COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) Updated 2 April 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control/covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

2. Additional considerations, in addition to standard infection prevention and control precautions, where there is sustained transmission of COVID-19, taking into account individual risk assessment for this new and emerging pathogen, NHS and independent sector

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877603/T4_Additional_considerations_of_COVID-19_poster.pdf

3. Recommended PPE for primary, outpatient and community care by setting, NHS and independent sector

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877599/T2_Recommended_PPE_for_primary_outpatient_and_community_care_by_setting_poster.pdf

4. Recommended PPE for healthcare workers by secondary care inpatient clinical setting, NHS and independent sector

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877728/T1_Recommended_PPE_for_healthcare_workers_by_secondary_care_clinical_context_poster.pdf

Care workers:“What protection is in place for workers in care settings?”

2nd April 2020 admin Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Health and Safety, Local, UNISON Campaign

1. What are Public Health advising should be in place in care settings where a resident has COVID-19?

The link below provides details of what types of mask you should be wearing if working with someone with COVID-19

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874411/When_to_use_face_mask_or_FFP3.pdf

2. Public Health England advice for standard infection control principles that should be in place in all health and care settings.

If you work in a care setting and you have residents with COVID-19 make sure you read this guidance as it provides details of what type of PPE you need to wear.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Interim-IPC-advice-for-care-homes_v1.2_20200318.pdf

Public Health England are stating that if residents or staff are not showing symptoms there is no risk of sharing or contracting the virus, therefore staff do not need to wear the PPE that is required when working with residents with COVID-19.

OUTBREAKS OF COVID-19 IN CARE HOMES: INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES

2nd April 2020 admin Health and Safety, Local, News, Schools, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON has received a large number of concerns from careworkers who, now, like NHS staff are caring for individuals who have become infected with Coronavirus.

All care settings MUST comply with the advice set out by Public Health England. Please contact us if you are working in a setting where these minimal standards are not being adhered to.

Contact us on 0208 359 2088 (leave a message)

or email us at

contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

if you have any further concerns.

“Droplet precautions, isolation and personal protective equipment (PPE):

Care homes are not expected to have dedicated isolation facilities for people living in the home.
Isolation precautions should be implemented in the same way care homes operate for influenza.
A resident’s own room can be used if isolation is needed, ideally a single bedroom with en-suite.
If this is not possible, discuss the option of cohorting with your local PHE health protection team.

Staff should use PPE for close personal contact with a symptomatic resident or bodily fluids.

Aprons, gloves and fluid repellent surgical masks should be used in these situations.
If there is a risk of splashing, then eye protection will minimise risk.
New PPE must be used for each episode of care.
On leaving the resident’s room, PPE should be removed, and hand hygiene performed immediately, as per standard infection control precautions.
Isolation may end after 7 days from illness onset, so long as the case feels better and has no fever.”

Read full guidance by click link below.

Interim IPC advice for care homes_v1.2_20200318

When to use a surgical face mask or FFP3 respirator: Government Guidance

2nd April 2020 admin Care & Support, Health and Safety, Local, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign

“When caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, all healthcare workers need to – prior to any patient interaction – assess the infectious risk posed to themselves and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimise that risk.”

Click on the link for full advice

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874411/When_to_use_face_mask_or_FFP3.pdf

Do you work in a care home or school? Dial Helpline details below.

1st April 2020 admin Austerity, Barnet Group, Health and Safety, Local, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign

Do you work in a care home or a school ?

Do you have some concerns about Coronavirus and what procedures should be in place in your work place?

Why not give the helpline a call?

Barnet Council have set up a Public Health (PH) helpline for care homes in Barnet.

The number is 0808 281 3210, choose option 5, which will state:

“If you are calling from a care home, school or are a Councillor needing public health advice, press 5.”

The PH Team will be able to talk you through the infection control procedures and organise PPE delivery, via covid19.

End.

Enough is enough. PPE for all care workers now.

30th March 2020 admin Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute

Please sign this petition

http://chng.it/GqNGny9X

We demand Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is made immediately available for all care workers.

It is time for a change in the Public Health guidance on wearing PPE.

All care workers need to be provided with PPE (mask and gloves etc.) and training in how to use it.

Until now you have to be working with someone known to have the virus to have PPE.

That may have been right back then but now it’s got to change.

Care workers need PPE.

PPE needs to be provided on the assumption any of us could have Covid-19.

We can’t afford our care workers being exposed to the virus or passing it on to service users.

It takes just one case in a care home and suddenly care workers will be sent home to self-isolate.

But who looks after the residents if you send the care workers to self-isolate?

We don’t have enough care workers to work to this strategy which is why ALL care workers must be provided with PPE.

We can see there isn’t enough PPE for the NHS but this should not be a reason for not making this demand.

If care homes start falling where do you think this will end?

More admissions to hospitals!

If this Government can’t ensure there is enough provision of PPE then they should step aside and let others take over.

It’s already happening and we can’t stay silent on this any longer.

It’s a simple demand – PPE must be provided for all care workers.

No excuses, no delay.

End.

Three workers in the Dust truck is not safe

27th March 2020 admin Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

The threat of COVID 19 both real and perceived is growing stronger every day especially amongst front line workers who are being asked to carry on a deliver services as normal.

But these are not normal times. We are in a global pandemic which is sweeping across the globe, some countries faster than others.

The response from workers in public services is incredible people are offering support to other services which are under serious pressure.

Once such service that needs to continue otherwise there will be another type of public health risk is the Waste and Recycling Service.

There can sometimes be 3 or 4 workers sitting inside a vehicle a clear contravention of the government advice on social distancing.

Earlier this week Barnet UNISON wrote to Barnet Council requesting urgent measures to be put in place to safeguard our member’s health and safety.

Our demands are as follows:

1. Cleaning regime.

The inside of the vehicles are subjected to thorough cleansing regime each day.

That Hand gel is provided for each team every day. Please note there are no toilets available for these staff to use therefore no access to water and soap.

Cleansing wipes to be provided to each team every day.

Gloves and masks to be provided to each team every day.

Provision of toilet facilities for the workforce

Procedure to change how they currently work to reflect government advice about social distancing.

2. Bonus/recognition payment

Workers have asked that the Council pay a bonus to the reflect the recognition of the work they are currently providing under difficult circumstances.

3. Mental Health

To increase awareness of counselling support for staff working on the frontline during this national crisis.

4. Food and supplies

It is well documented that access to supermarkets is proving problematic and for the key workers it will more difficult for them to access supermarkets as they are working. Barnet UNISON has asked Barnet Council look to secure means by which food and supplies can be provided on an order basis for key workers.

* Barnet Council have responded see below:

Cleansing

Hand sanitiser gel has been issued to the crews and drivers have a supply of hand wipes for them and the crew to use. Drivers can request more from the Supervisors once their supply has gone. Drivers are also being issued with cleansing wipes so that they are able to wipe down surfaces, handles and steering wheels in the cab. We have also progressed arrangements to implement a cleansing regime for vehicle cabs. Nitril gloves are currently also available on request for those who may wish to use them.

We have sourced resource that will be undertaking a deep cleanse of the RCV cabs on Saturday this week. Following this, we will have a team of four people working from Monday to clean the vehicle cabs. RCV’s will be cleaned on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Street Cleansing vehicles will be cleaned on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Payment.

No bonus payment will be paid to key workers.

Mental Health

Mental Health First Aiders to be made available for staff to contact and discuss their issues.

Food and Supplies

No.

End.

Housing Restructure Update

27th March 2020 admin Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Housing, Local, News, Report, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign

Dear member,

I hope you and all your loved ones are well.

See attached or below.

This is the latest update from management in regard to the ongoing Consultation in Leasehold, Neighbourhood, Rental Income and Customer Contact Centre.

I have not been able to consult with you on these proposals or call a meeting with you to discuss whether these proposals change the position agreed upon the last time we met on the 11 March 2020.

The position then was for a dispute to be lodged at JNCC and thereafter enable an indicative ballot of members effected by as to what industrial action you are prepared to take.

Obviously the Corona Virus has markedly changed priorities.

The next scheduled JNCC is on the 3 April 2020 – so given that management have moved their position, put some further risk mitigating measures in place and moved the interview dates for ‘at risk’ staff to the 1st of June

Should UNISON lodge the dispute?

Or wait and continue further dialogue?

Please reply to this email and indicate either 1 or 2.