Since lockdown, the Partners have been busy providing an emergency on call service taking calls from patients for dental advice, prescribing medication and sending out orders of sundries. Having got to grips with the franking machine and their new additional roles as postmen, they have also been working hard with Anne and Fiona making plans and preparing the practice ready for our phased return to work.
 |
 |
Communal areas of the practice have started to be altered to adhere to social distancing rules to protect us for a new normal way of working.
The reception areas at Queen Edith's Way and Copley are being prepared ready for clear protective screens to be fitted which will create a barrier between us and patients.
We are also working hard to automate as many systems as possible to limit patient and receptionist interaction. We are considering a self check-in area, as used already in many GP surgeries, and are using more of Exact's additional functions to create a patient portal where patients can login at home to complete documents such as medical health and consent forms in advance to reduce the amount of time spent at the desk.
 |
 |
The admin team have moved out of the attic and have set up office in the boardroom at Highfield House ready for a phased return at some point. The empty attic is now being converted into a large female changing area to accommodate lockers, more uniform which will be needed so that staff can change after aerosol appointments, and to provide a larger space for social distancing whilst changing.
 |
|
We have ordered new air filtration units for all of the surgeries to protect staff and patients from aerosol vapours. We have already had some of these units delivered with the rest and the extra oral suction ducts due to be with us in the next few weeks.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
All areas of the practice are being assessed and assigned a risk level from low to high. Approporiate cross infection control plans and PPE are being prepared accordingly for each area. We are busy sourcing visors, FFP3 masks, gowns, aprons and hats so we are ready to work safely with sufficient stock when given the go ahead by the Government, PHE and the GDC that we can implement a phased return to work.
 |
 |
Over the last few weeks, our fantastic team have been offering some useful tips on how they are surviving during lockdown. See below for some financial tips, how to maintain your wellbeing and some cpd links that may be of use.
Please feel free to email Sally with anything you think would be useful to share here and keep your fantastic posts coming on our staff facebook group (DH Staff) as it is so lovely to be able to keep in touch this way.
If you pay your council tax by direct debit, you can reduce your monthly outgoings by changing your payment structure from the standard 10 months to 12. With the standard 10 month payment structure, no payments are made in February and March, however if you register for an online council tax account, you can change your payment period so that you pay less each month over the longer period of 12 months.
You will need your council tax reference which can be found on your council tax statement or your bank statement direct debit .
If you have any money tips you would like to share on this page please email them here
You may feel that this unique period of lockdown is an ideal time to catch up or get ahead with some CPD. There are lots of free online resources available such as articles, podcasts and webinars some of which are listed below.
If you have any cpd courses you would like to share on this page please email them here
| Topic | Duration | Provider | Web link |
| Manual Handling | 25 mins | Isopharm | Click here |
| Hand Hygiene | 45 mins | Isopharm | Click here |
| Topic | Duration | Provider | Web link |
|
12 different courses |
1 hour |
Wrigley |
Click here |
|
Dental Nurse webinars: 2 webinars 14th & 19th May (free) |
1 hour |
Straumann |
Click here |
| Display screen equipment | 30 mins | Isopharm | Click here |
| Surface cleaning | 30 mins | Isopharm | Click here |
| Clinical governance | 30 mins | Isopharm | Click here |
|
6 different courses |
1.5 hours | GSK | Click here |
| Mulitple courses: Decontaminatinon, environmental cleaning and hand hygiene during COVID-19 |
Various | Schuelke | Click here |
| Multiple courses: Endodontic irrigation, safety in infection control |
Various | Cleancert | Click here |
| Multiple courses: | Various | Dentalcare | Click here |
| Multiple courses (requires payment) | Various | Glenys Bridges | Click here |
| Essential Decontamination (requires payment) | 5 hours | BDA | Click here |
As lockdown continues and the number of COVID-19 cases rises, the stress and anxiety around the virus rises right alongside them. It’s helpful to remember that you’re not alone in how you feel and important to keep in mind that while we’re all in this together, each person has unique life circumstances. Everyone will deal with this situation differently and will be coping with different challenges such as loneliness, financial hardship, juggling work and home schooling and generally keeping positive. We are all working hard to self isolate and “flatten the curve” by slowing the rate by which this illness spreads, and now more than ever it is important that we take time to focus on our mental wellbeing to understand ourselves during this uncertain time.
Try these 5 steps to help build a sense of belonging and self-worth and to raise your self esteem.
Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can give you an opportunity to share positive experiences and provide emotional support and allow you to support others. Make the most of technology to regularly stay in touch with friends and family and communicate visually with Skype, FaceTime or zoom.
Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence shows it causes chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood and can improve your mental wellbeing by helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
Although the gyms etc are all closed there's plenty of free exercise classes online.
If you have found a workout you would like to recommend email the link here to share it on this page.
Try learning to cook something new or work on a DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike, garden gate or something bigger. There are lots of free video tutorials online. You could try learning a new language or try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint. Or take the time to catch up on some CPD.
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing. It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.
Some examples of the things you could try include:
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Why not join the mass mindfulness classes on Mon,Wed,Fri 18:45-19:00: http://zoom.us/j/987553096, or you can watch meditations any time on YouTube.There's even sleep stories for children at bedtime to help settle them quickly and have more adult time.
