Frequently asked questions for Trust staff

Staff should try to get a fit note from their GP; but it is understood that in some instances this may not be possible and they remain on special leave.

All staff will be offered a test. There are three priority strands:

Group one are the highest priority. These are colleagues those who have symptoms themselves, and also those living in a household where someone has symptoms. These are carried out at Barnsley, Fieldhead, Calderdale Fire Station and Kirklees College.

Group two are those in a ‘hotspot’ area – where some colleagues who have been working in a close working environment have tested positive. Other people might not have any symptoms, but to help us ‘track and trace’ the virus staff members in that area will be contacted to offer them a test at Fieldhead.

Group three are all other colleagues who don’t have any symptoms. Starting with our most vulnerable staff groups (as identified in the Trust occupational health policy) these colleagues will be contacted offering them a test at Fieldhead.

Currently only the testing of symptomatic staff is compulsory. If staff are asymptomatic it is not compulsory.

This is in line with the current government guidance to reduce transmission.

You can find out about specific Covid-19 support training on the intranet.

The second national lockdown ended on 2 December 2020. Staff should no longer be shielding.

All staff that were previously shielding should have had a risk assessment and an occupational health assessment (if required) to determine if you could undertake your normal role.

All staff should have returned to work in their own role, an adjusted role or an alternative role.

If the government advice changes at any point the Trust will act appropriately.

Visit the government website to ensure you are up to date with current guidelines and rules around travel.

Please also be aware that even if you go on holiday when travel is permitted this may change while you are out of the country.

Please read the full guidance on the intranet and speak to your manager before travelling/ booking a holiday abroad. You may be expected to take isolation in your own time and will not be paid special leave.

The NHS Test and Trace service has now been launched. Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their close contacts. The NHS Test and Trace service will help us control and contain the virus and save lives.

Close contact is defined as people who have spent more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of someone with Covid-19 or been coughed on. They would also look to trace people who had travelled with someone with a positive case of Covid-19 in a small vehicle or on a plane.

People working in health and social care professional roles who have social distanced correctly and used PPE as part of their employment are not considered to be a close contact. It is important that we continue to follow social distancing guidance and wear PPE when we need to. If you were wearing PPE at the time of the contact, this will not count as a contact.

Please see the intranet for more information.

The Trust has a duty of care for patients and staff.  If you test positive for COVID-19 and you have been in recent contact with colleagues and patients, your manager will need to inform colleagues that there has been a recent positive test and inform them of the relevant actions.  At all times confidentiality will be maintained in that no personal details will be shared where possible.

An annual leave process has been agreed.

The new annual leave arrangements include:

• Extended carry over of annual leave from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 of 10 and 5 days respectively to ensure leave can be taken safely for both staff and services.
• Review of all planned and proposed annual leave in consultation with staff to ensure staff can take leave, as far as reasonable, at a time suitable to them and the service.
• Ensuring all staff take a minimum number of annual leave throughout the rest of the 2020/2021 leave year to support their wellbeing.
• In exceptional circumstances the option for service and staff safety for a buyback of annual leave of up to 5 days subject to an agreed service business case.

In addition guidance on Bank Holidays and time off in lieu are restated

Please read the guidance on annual leave on the intranet.