INFECTION PREVENTION XXXX
NHS Employers launches fourth ‘flu fighter’ campaign
NHS Employers has announced the start of its fourth ‘flu fighter’ campaign as NHS staff flu vaccinations get underway. Sam McCaffrey reports.
he NHS Employers ‘flu fighter’ campaign aims to increase the number of NHS staff who choose to be vaccinated against flu.
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It has just launched a wide range of support and campaign materials for NHS organisations to run flu fighter activities locally. The first flu vaccines are expected to be delivered to trusts later this month.
Last year, ‘flu fighter’ helped the NHS to vaccinate 5,000 staff per day, for a total of 534,090 (54.8%) frontline NHS staff. This was up from 359,080 in 2010-11, the flu season before the campaign began. The vaccinations are an important part of this year’s winter planning and can help save lives by keeping the workforce healthy and protecting vulnerable patients.
Sue Covill, director of employment services at the NHS Employers organisation, said: “Last year we were finally able to say that over half of all frontline NHS staff were choosing to be vaccinated, which is real cultural shift towards vaccinations becoming commonplace. Over half a million frontline staff now choose to be vaccinated.
“We’re extremely proud of these milestones and of the amazing teamwork and engagement within local NHS organisations, who together make flu fighter one of the most visible campaigns in the NHS calendar.
“It’s great to give patients the confidence that we’re doing all we can to keep them safe and to keep flu away from the NHS. I really hope as many staff as possible will find time to have
these vaccinations, which are proven to be safe and effective.”
NHS Employers has published case studies of some of the best examples of flu fighting from last winter on its website, many of whom won awards for their activities.
These included a ‘flu bus’ at London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Tracy Lees of Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust for her “enormous amount of commitment”, Derby Hospitals NHS FT for its startling jump in vaccine uptake among staff, and the team at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: 0844 334 5252 E:
flufighter@nhsemployers.org
Are you getting the most out of your mattresses and seating?
Zane Powers discusses an often-overlooked factor in infection prevention: fabric coatings.
In
the healthcare sector, we’re under constant pressure to deliver outstanding
patient care with finite resources, and although it is challenging, our hard work does not go unnoticed by the people that matter the most – our patients. In 2012, the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey reported that satisfaction with the NHS was at 61% – the fourth highest since the survey began in 1983.
However, this turbulent time in the sector has caused various organisations with an interest in healthcare in the UK to rethink their approach. Nowhere is this more evident than at Dartex.
If you don’t recognise the name, you’ll almost certainly recognise the product. In fact, if you’ve ever been out on a ward, the chances are
66 | national health executive Sep/Oct 14
you’ve been in direct contact with it. For over 40 years, Dartex has been coating fabrics with specially engineered polyurethane (pu) coating and, as a market leader, the chances are that many of your mattresses and seating cushions are covered with a Dartex fabric.
As a result of its unique independent position in the market, Dartex has been offering tissue viability nurses, occupational therapists and CCGs advice and support when they are writing their tenders for new mattresses and seating. Specifically, Dartex has helped trusts ensure that they are able to specify fabrics that:
• Can be frequently cleaned with strong cleaning agents without affecting the fabric performance, making them ideal
for maternity applications;
• Keep patients cool and dry by maximising the textile breathability while remaining waterproof, reducing the risk of skin maceration; and
• Are engineered with low-friction technologies, making them ideal for patient transfer applications while minimising the risk of skin shear.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To view the educational presentation, or to request a member of the Dartex team to visit you/your team to discuss the impact of support surfaces: E:
zane.powers@dartexcoatings.com
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