MSI are working hard to keep all of our candidates up to date with the latest information, developments and advice regarding the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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If you are currently unwell
If you have any of the following symptoms:
a new continuous cough
a high temperature
a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
you will need to self-isolate for 7 days following the start of your symptoms. Please inform your consultant asap - we will not be able to book you onto shifts for these 7 days.
After 7 days, if you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to continue to self-isolate. If you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal. You do not need to self-isolate if you only have a cough or anosmia after 7 days, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone . Find out more details about ending isolation.
If someone you live with has any of the following symptoms:
a new continuous cough
a high temperature
a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
you will need to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people for 14 days. Please inform your consultant asap - you will be able to return to work once you have completed 14 days of self-isolation.
Public Health England has an explanatory diagram showing Stay at Home guidance for households.
Testing
Testing for COVID-19 is now available for key workers and members of their household who are currently self-isolating due to being symptomatic.
If you are currently self-isolating, please use the link below to register for testing at one of the regional testing centres or for the home testing kits when they become available:
If your test result are negative, you can safely return to work, as long as:
you are well enough
you have not had a high temperature for 48 hours
everyone you live with also tests negative
If your test result is positive, or a member of your household tests positive, you cannot return to work. You’ll need to continue to self-isolate.
PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and training for PPE is provided by NHS Trusts or our private sector clients.
Public Health England (PHE), states that all staff (whether they are from the bank, agency or local staff), should follow the same advice as permanent staff. PPE providers must ensure that all staff are trained adequately in safe systems of work and understand how to wear PPE, even for those who may need to wear respiratory protection.
Training
Skills for Health, the UK’s leading provider of online learning for healthcare, offer a free Coronavirus (COVID-19) Awareness course.
The resource is approximately 2 hours in duration and includes information such as infection prevention, PPE, hand and respiratory hygiene, management and assessment, sampling and testing, patient transfers/managing patients and much more, to support you in your role.
Staff Offers
Many organisations are offering special discounts and services to healthcare workers for the duration of the pandemic.
Support
There are many different ways to access support during this pandemic:
Immediate Support
Send the text ‘FRONTLINE’ to 85258to start a conversation
Listening Line - For all NHS Staff – call 0300 131 7000, 07:00-23:00
Bereavement and loss support call 0300 303 4434, 07:00-23:00
Online Support
NHS - Supporting our People
A range of materials to support you and your teams perform under this pressure.Horizons #Caring4NHSPeople
Wellbeing webinarsPractitioner Health
Advice, support and events
Apps
Free access to psychological support – use your nhs.net email address to download
Self guided mental heath support
Silvercloud
use the code NHS2020
Common Rooms
NHS - Supporting our People
Meet other professionals in a safe and guided space. Get support and share your experiences.
