Covid 19

CORONAVIRUS (COVID 19) ADVICE

DATED: March 2020

With Coronavirus continuing to spread to different parts of the world, Swanstaff want to safeguard our staff, service users and clients to remain healthy and infection free.

Due to the nature of the work Swanstaff carry out, we want to ensure our staff and clients are fully informed of measures to take; therefore we have put together the following guide on how to avoid or avoid the spreading of Coronavirus.

Jump to: Swanstaff Covid-19 Candidate  quick guide

Jump to: Swanstaff Covid-19 Client  quick guide

What is Coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Latest Self Isolation Advice:

The Government has advised anyone with a new continuous cough or high temperature to self isolate for 14 days, this has also been extended to all members of a household if one or more of you has symptoms. if you are in self isolation and are due to be working for swanstaff please contact your local branch to log your absence.

Who is at risk?

For most healthy people the Coronovirus will result in cold/flu/chest infection like symptoms. The elderly or those with underlying conditions are most at risk of serious/critical illness, this includes:

• Anyone aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
  
• Anyone under 70 with an underlying health condition (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds)
  
• Pregnant Women
• Those with serious clinical conditions such as Cancer, organ transplant recipients, those on immunosuppressants, those with severe chest conditions and those with severe diseases of body systems (eg kidney disease)

What are the symptoms?

At the time of writing the common symptoms are:

• Respiratory symptoms
• Fever, cough
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties

Reducing the Risk

Swanstaff will provide alcohol hand gel at the main reception area to be offered to all visiting our offices. Staff and Visitors will be expected to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soapy water or use hand gel sanitiser. We have a ready supply of tissues available onsite and recommend that these be disposed of into a rubbish bin once used, and that you wash your hands for 20 seconds with soapy water or use hand gel sanitiser after. We will also ensure that bathrooms have an adequate supply of washing facilities, including soap, warm water and an appropriate method of hand drying. All hard surfaces that come into contact with hands (regularly) will be cleaned daily. Such surfaces will include the following, as a minimum:

• Door handles.
• Doorbells / intercoms.
• Handrails, Banisters and Stairgates.
• Taps, Toilet Roll Holders / Dispensers and Paper Towel Dispensers.
• Work Tops, Serving Hatches, Tables and Chairs.

Hygiene

The current guidance is to:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• Put used tissues in the bin immediately
• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds, check out this useful NHS Handwashing Guide for more details.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

What to do if you are concerned

If you have symptoms you and others in your household should self isolate immediately, should you be unable to cope with your symptoms at home contact NHS 111 or in an emergency 999 to seek medical advice.  Also contact your Swanstaff representative or the HR department at Head Office on 01322 618100. Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor.

Quick Advice Guide - Swanstaff Candidates

• Please notify us immediately via 01322 618100 if you or anyone in your household have symptoms.
• In the event you are diagnosed with Covid-19 please ensure you contact our HR department on 01322 618100 and report your absence to your local branch at the earliest opportunity.
• Please note that some of our clients will have their own procedures and policies relating to Covid-19 which we will advise you of if you need to take any action.

Quick Advice Guide - Swanstaff Clients

• If you have any further queries about our policies or procedures with regards to Covid-19 please contact hr@swanstaff.co.uk
• If you have any specific procedures you need us or our workers to follow with regards to Covid-19 that fall outside of the core government guidelines please contact your local Swanstaff branch to ensure they update your client record and can inform workers where required.
• If you have confirmed cases within your workplace/site and have had or are due to have Swanstaff workers on site please notify our HR department immediately on 01322 618100
• If your organisation is required to close for any reason please contact your local branch to ensure any booked workers can be advised.

Healthcare Professionals Advice

The Government has released specific guidance for any workers who are working within the Healthcare setting;