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Emergency Support Framework and letter to providers
Today, we are publishing a letter to all providers which sets out our regulatory approach during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter explains to providers how our new Emergency Support Framework underpins our regulatory approach during the pandemic and has been developed to enable us to identify risks and respond by taking appropriate action to keep people safe. We will start to roll out this approach from 4 May, sector-by-sector, starting with ASC. The Emergency Support Framework helps us deliver our purpose and has been designed to be flexible to allow us to respond to the changing needs of the health and social care system during this time. Read the letter and see other supporting information, guidance and links to training materials on the ESF intranet page.
Update on domiciliary care survey
Two weeks ago we started sending out a daily survey to domiciliary care services which asks questions about capacity, staffing and PPE. Yesterday, we received 5100 submissions allowing us, and our system partners, to make more informed decisions about the current situation. We are looking to improve the survey in order to enhance the user experience for providers. A process map which explains how we and our system partners are using this data to inform decision making, along with FAQs and further information can be found on the data collection intranet page.
Priority food offers for social care staff
We have worked together with NHSX to identify and disseminate priority food offers for social care staff. These include offers that are available to individual employees and for care providers. See the bulletin sent to social care workers and providers.
This week's all-colleagues calls: recordings
Both this week's all-colleagues calls were led by Rosie Benneyworth, Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services. Rosie was joined again today by Henrietta Hughes, National Guardian. Listen to today's call and/or yesterday's.
Provider bulletins
The latest provider bulletins for all sectors will be added to the what we're saying to providers intranet page.
ASC inspectors: Recording Emergency Support Framework time in Cygnum
Where an inspection is required, inspectors should follow the current Cygnum process of scheduling inspections/requesting resources etc. From 4 May, where you are using the ESF tool, you do not need to create individual activity records in Cygnum (as you currently do for inspections). Instead, use the new timesheet code called 'COVID-19 Emergency Support Framework'. See the Cygnum guidance page for full details, including a list of workstages.
Virus volunteers
We'd like to hear about ALL kinds of volunteering, including the volunteering of your time to provide exceptional support for your families, friends and local communities. Comment and share in the Virus volunteers Yammer group and/or post on the Values Wall and we'll highlight in these bulletins.
Latest updates include:
Alan Smith, ASC Inspector, has posted a latest update on his experience as a Special Constable with West Mercia Police.
Well done, good luck and best wishes to:
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Anna Mathers, Hospitals Inspector, who has been helping out with dog walking for people in sheltered accommodation who are self-isolating.
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Dan Carrick, Children's Services Inspector and traditional corn miller, who has been busy milling flour for his local community. Dan has posted a short video on Yammer.
Volunteering and external secondments - guidance and FAQs: See guidance and FAQs for all colleagues, for managers, and a flow chart.
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NHS(E) and NHS(I) letter to providers on second phase of NHS response to COVID-19: NHS England and NHS Improvement have written to NHS trust chief executives to set out actions for the second phase of the NHS response to COVID-19. Read the letter.
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Update on testing service in adult social care: On Tuesday, The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced an extension to testing to all staff and residents of care homes, whether they have virus symptoms or not. It will also be extended to other key workers with symptoms. We are working with DHSC to see what support we can offer. DHSC are running a whole home pilot (staff and residents) this weekend with Barchester, HC-One and Methodist Homes, who are all large adult social care home providers – both nursing and residential. We are not involved in this pilot. Clinical responsibility for testing remains with Public Health England. See our testing intranet page for more information.
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Sharing and publication of CQC deaths data: The information provided to CQC by care homes via death notifications now forms part of the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) weekly reporting on deaths, ensuring a more complete and timely picture of the impact that COVID-19 is having on social care. ONS published their first report with our data on 28 April. The Secretary of State also announced on 28 April that DHSC would publish daily data on deaths in care homes. Public Health England will be providing this data. See the full article for details of how we are supporting the sector, examples of issues raised by providers, and a Q&A.
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Mental Health Act deaths notification: The form to notify CQC of the death of a service user who is detained, or liable to be detained, under the Mental Health Act 1983 now includes a box for providers to indicate whether the death was a result of COVID-19 (either confirmed or suspected). This will allow us to continue to monitor how COVID-19 is affecting patients detained under the Mental Health Act and identify which mental health services are most affected. Read the full article.
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Medicines optimisation weekly briefing: This week's briefing covers medicines optimisation concerns across health and care services.
Mental Health Awareness Training for Managers - virtual sessions
This programme is aimed at all managers with line management responsibilities to help them develop their knowledge, understanding and skill in supporting a member of their team who may have a mental health condition. Find out more about the training and register your interest.
Information for colleagues
See the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for colleagues page for:
- FAQs and contacts
- Volunteering and external secondments
- Directorate-specific COVID-19 messages
- Reporting absence and self-isolation
- Childcare and other caring responsibilities
- Annual leave
- Stay safe at work (at home)
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Staying connected.
You are not alone!
If you are struggling with any aspect of the current situation, please speak with colleagues and your line manager, see 'where to go for help' contacts, and remember that the Employee Assistance Programme is available to all at CQC. The 24-hour helpline number is 0800 882 4102. Please quote username CQCEAP and Password CQCEAP1. Our equality networks are also available to provide support. See joint message from the networks.
Say thanks for a job well done: Share examples of Excellence, Caring, Integrity and Teamwork on the CQC Values Wall.
Share and connect with colleagues on Yammer: There are loads of active Yammer groups, some Coronavirus-related, many not. Why not share your home working experience and any advice and tips for colleagues in the #healthyhomeworking Yammer group?; connect with colleagues in COVID-19 support initiatives, Working parents, Virus volunteers, and Wellbeing groups.
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