Keeping connected: Open and transparent communications in the time of COVID-19
The Relatives & Residents Association and the National Care Forum have issued a joint statement, endorsed by CQC, the Care Provider Alliance and Skills for Care, setting out shared expectations and good practice relating to the importance of clear, open, transparent and regular communications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The communication asks outlined in the statement provide helpful prompts, and we hope they will facilitate open, honest conversations with people using services and their families. We have seen incredible dedication and commitment from those working in social care, and they have never had a more challenging or crucial role to play. Through fostering open cultures, maintaining transparency and by working together, we will continue to keep people safe and protect those most at risk during this global emergency and beyond.
Read the full statement.
Innovation and inspiration - how providers are responding to COVID-19
Health and care providers from all sectors have shared examples with CQC showing how they have innovated and adapted working practices to respond to the challenges of dealing with coronavirus (COVID-19).
The short examples, from small home care agencies to large acute hospitals, are also a celebration of the dedication and resourcefulness of health and care providers and staff. Visit our website for more information.
We would like to thank everyone who has shared their examples with us - we were overwhelmed with the response. We'll be updating the case studies regularly, so please do continue to share your examples with us by email. You can also join the conversation on Twitter via @CQCProf and #RespondingToCovid.
COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes
Public Health England has published the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care into disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19.
The review looked at different factors including: age and sex; where people live; deprivation; ethnicity; people's occupation; and care home residence.
The largest disparity found was by age. Among people already diagnosed with COVID-19, people who were 80 or older were 70 times more likely to die than those under 40. Risk of dying among those diagnosed with coronavirus was also higher in males than females; higher in those living in the more deprived areas than those living in the least deprived; and higher in those in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups than in White ethnic groups. Visit the GOV.UK website to see the full report.
Understanding the impact of coronavirus on care homes
Public Health England (PHE) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are conducting a major study on COVID-19. All care homes for residents aged 65 and over in England are likely to be contacted.
The information collected will be used alongside clinical results of COVID-19 testing to understand the overall impact of the coronavirus pandemic on care homes.
PHE and ONS have written to care homes to introduce the study and set out the next steps and what will be asked. Over the next few weeks, care home managers will be contacted by an interviewer from Ipsos MORI and invited to carry out a short survey over the phone. You support with this important work is greatly appreciated, and will help inform the public health response.
Globalscape system works: planned downtime
A number of registered providers use CQC’s secure file transfer system, Globalscape, to send us information securely. Due to planned system works, Globalscape will be unavailable from 5pm on Friday 5 June to 7am on Monday 8 June.
There will also be a change freeze from 3pm on Friday 5 June to 7am on Monday 8 June, during which time no changes can be made to the system.
Following the works, please ensure you use the following URL: https://www.cqcsecure.org.uk/. The application and your username and password will not change.
Beat the Heat - keep residents safe and well
Public Health England, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England have updated their Heatwave Plan for England and added some hot weather and COVID-19 specific resources.
During previous heatwaves, people in residential and care settings have been at particularly high risk of illness and death. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that you know what actions to take to keep people using services safe from high temperatures.
The plan and a number of resources, including a poster, flyer and checklist, can be found on the GOV.UK website. Hydration is also important in the warmer weather, and providers may wish to remind themselves of guidance relating to Regulation 14: Meeting nutritional and hydration needs.
New online platform for social care recruitment
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a new online platform to facilitate swift recruitment for registered care providers by helping them reach candidates looking to work in social care.
Registered providers will be able to search for candidates in their local area, view video interviews, start the DBS check and training process, create shortlists and make conditional offers before onboarding candidates directly into their service.
Candidates will be able to access training from learning providers endorsed by Skills for Care through the platform, and complete online training prior to commencing employment.
To gain access to the site providers will need to register with their CQC contact email address for the location. All registered providers are able to sign up now: www.joinsocialcare.co.uk/care-company.
This platform can be used alongside other applications or initiatives available in local areas.
Deployment of nurses – key questions answered
Skills for Care now have answers to a number of key questions such as, is there any additional funding for nurses, who will employ the returning nurse, and what will they be paid? Their website has been updated with the latest information, including a flowchart which shows the journey once a nurse has been deployed to an organisation and full guidance on all matters relating to the deployment and employment of returning nurses to social care. There are also two downloadable PDFs which contain the key information and flowcharts for the two stages of the process.
Visit the Skills for Care website.
Herbert Protocol: safe and found
The Herbert Protocol a national scheme being introduced by the police and other agencies which encourages those caring for people living with dementia or Alzheimer's to compile useful information which could be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.
The idea is to complete a form recording vital information to help the police if the person goes missing. Keeping a form completed saves the worry of trying to recall the information during the stressful time of someone going missing. It also saves time for the police, allowing the search to start sooner.
A number of police forces have signed up to the scheme, including West Midlands Police. You can visit their website to find out more information. To find out if your local police force is part of the scheme, search your policing area and Herbert Protocol online.
Are you making best use of technology during the pandemic?
Thousands of social care providers have signed up to NHSmail over the past few weeks. If you have – can you use it, is it working well?
Did you know that NHSmail also gives you free access to Microsoft Teams so that you can have secure video calls with GPs, district nurses, pharmacists, and the relatives of people who use your services?
Digital Social Care is supporting care providers to use technology during the COVID-19 outbreak. They have a technical helpline and are undertaking research to rapidly collate best practice on how technology is being used in the sector and what helps to support providers to use technology during this difficult time.
If you need help and support with technology contact the Digital Social Care helpline on 0208 133 3430 or help@digitalsocialcare.co.uk.
If someone in your service would be willing to take part in the research contact frichardson@brookes.ac.uk. This would involve a short phone call with a researcher from Oxford Brookes University to find out about how you are using technology and what helps or hinders that. All types and sizes of services wanted regardless of whether you are a technical whizz!
All CQC offices are closed - please do not send post
Accessibility resources to help you communicate about COVID-19
Further information
Follow us on Twitter!
Keep up with our work with professionals and provider organisations in England by following us on Twitter @CQCProf.
|
|
