1.1

Increment in the number of cardiopulmonary trained physiotherapists.

1.2

Recruitment of more physiotherapists into the work force by the Ministry of Health, Nigeria.

1.3

Recall those on leave back to work.

1.4

Involvement of University academics into clinical settings.

1.5

Recall retired staff with previous experiences in cardiorespiratory and critical care.

1.6

Extend retirement age of clinical staff.

1.7

Physiotherapists should have specialised knowledge, skills and decision-making to work within the ICU. Physiotherapists with previous ICU experience should be requested to work.

1.8

Physiotherapists who do not have recent cardiorespiratory physiotherapy experience should be urgently trained to offer services to cope with the management of patients with COVID-19.

1.9

Staff with advanced ICU physiotherapy skills should be supported to screen patients with COVID-19 assigned to physiotherapy caseloads and provide junior ICU staff with appropriate supervision and support, particularly with decision-making for complex patients with COVID-19.

2.0

Identify existing learning resources for staff who could be deployed to ICU. For example:

· e-learning packages (e.g., Clinical Skills Development Service for Physiotherapy and Critical Care Management)

· Local Physiotherapy Staff ICU Orientation

· PPE training

2.1

Keep staff informed of plans. Communication is crucial to the successful delivery of safe and effective clinical services.

2.2

Staff who are judged to be at high risk should be exempted from COVID-19 isolation areas.

When planning staffing and rosters, the following people may be at higher risk of developing more serious illness from COVIDD-19 and should avoid exposure to patients with COVID-19. This includes staff who: are pregnant, have significant chronic respiratory illnesses, are immune-suppressed, older (e.g., >60 years), have severe chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, immune deficiencies, such as neutropenia, disseminated malignancy and conditions or treatments.

Workforce planning should include consideration for pandemic-specific requirements such as additional workload from donning and doffing PPE, and the need to allocate staff to key non-clinical duties such as enforcing infection control procedures.

Reorganising the workforce into teams that will manage COVID-19 versus non-infectious patients. Minimise or prevent movement of staff between teams. Liaise with local infection control services for recommendations.