- The Department of Health guidance:
This includes a Summary COVID plan, guidance for changes in clinical work, guidance for the workforce including PPE.https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/coronavirus
Daily Northern Ireland updates : https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/
Letters and urgent communications: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/letters-and-urgent-communications-2020 https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/download/final-letter-on-supporting-doctors-in-covid-19/ Yellow Card Reporting site for Healthcare Products used in Coronavirus (COVID-19) - HSS(MD) 47 2020 – DEXAMETHASONE IN COVID-19
- DEXAMETHASONE IN COVID-19
- CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR), AS AN AEROSOL GENERATING PROCEDURE (AGP)
- 4 nations joint statement DoH GMC and royal colleges on supporting doctors: https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/download/final-letter-on-supporting-doctors-in-covid-19/
- How can I cope with redeployment BMJ article: https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m1228
- The suggested minimum trust induction criteria for re-deployed doctors: Induction Checklist for redeployed doctors
- Changes to death certificate process in Northern Ireland:There are a few important documents relating to:
- GUIDANCE ON THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION AND ISSUING OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OF CAUSE OF DEATH AND STILLBIRTH CERTIFICATES
- GUIDANCE ON THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMPLETION AND ISSUING OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES OF CAUSE OF DEATH AND STILLBIRTH CERTIFICATES
- GUIDANCE ON DEATH CERTIFICATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC – All are available on the below link: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/covid-19-guidance-surrounding-death
- The Public Health Agency has requested that data is supplied as per the following case definition: Any inpatient who died within 28 days of their first positive SARS-CoV-2 specimen result, whether or not COVID-19 was the cause of death. The standard process for recording deaths on the NIECR electronic system applies and for those inpatients that had a first positive SARS-CoV-2 specimen result within 28 days of death, this electronic form is completed and submitted to the Public Health Agency electronically. This notification will replace the requirement to telephone the Public Health Agency to notify regarding COVID-19 related inpatient deaths: https://regional.sharepoint.hscni.net/sites/CovidDeaths/SitePages/Form.asp
- https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/covid-19-information/clinical-practice-implications/
- Staying up to date with emerging evidence: depends on the clinical area you are currently in or are being deployed to. Some of these resources have good application in other clinical areas. Consider reviewing the information on the royal college websites of emergency medicine, physicians and anaesthetics for clinical treatment of COVID-19 for any specialty area and particularly if you are being deployed to one of these areas. The GP resource on end of life care could have application in secondary care.
- BMJ Learning – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) online modules – In response to the rapidly evolving challenges posed by COVID-19, BMJ are providing free access to their most relevant CPD online courses to update and refresh clinical knowledge for those supporting our healthcare systems in our fight against COVID-19.
- Good resource regarding Assessment of COVID-19 patients and palliative care management available from NHS Scotland.
The Public Health Agency webpage:
Emergency Medicine:
Anaesthetics & ICU:
Cross-skilling, induction to ICU & ICU the basics: https://icmanaesthesiacovid-19.org/cross-skill-training-for-pandemic-covid-19
Upskilling other specialties to critical care teams: https://icmanaesthesiacovid-19.org/better-together-the-critical-care-team
COVID safety bulletins: https://www.ficm.ac.uk/safety-and-clinical-quality/covid-safety-bulletin
Intensive Care society information: https://www.ics.ac.uk/ICS/COVID-19/COVID19.aspx?hkey=d176e2cf-d3ba-4bc7-8435-49bc618c345a
Physicians:
Ethical dimensions of COVID-19 for frontline staff: https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/news/ethical-guidance-published-frontline-staff-dealing-pandemic
Diagnostics:
Radiology: members COVID discussion forum to discuss new information: https://www.rcr.ac.uk/college/coronavirus-covid-19-what-rcr-doing/coronavirus-covid-19-resources
Surgeons:
Intercollegiate statement on PPE for surgery: https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/download/updated-intercollegiate-general-surgery-guidance-on-covid-19/
RCSeng COVID info hub includes best practice guidance and weekly webinars: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/coronavirus/
Psychiatry:
Northern Ireland specific guidance: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/devolved-nations/rcpsych-in-northern-ireland/covid-19-for-psychiatrists-in-northern-ireland
E-learning hub for psychiatrists on COVID-19: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/about-us/responding-to-covid-19/responding-to-covid-19-guidance-for-clinicians/elearning-covid-19-guidance-for-clinicians
Paediatrics:
Obstetrics & Gynaecology:
ISUOG webinars include pregnancy specific COVID information & practical advice on PPE during ultrasound clinics: https://www.isuog.org/clinical-resources/coronavirus-covid-19-resources/webinar-series-on-covid-19.html
GP:
Good FAQ resource for clinical issues: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/covid-19/covid-19-faqs.aspx
NI specific information: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/covid-19/latest-covid-19-guidance-in-your-area.aspx
End of life care- clinical tips: https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=10537