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Welcome to this week's newsletter, published for adult social care providers, issued on behalf of Devon County Council's Director of Adult Social Care Services and Director of Public Health and NHS Devon’s Chief Nursing Officer.
As you are no doubt aware, the national mass vaccination targets have been brought forward as the overall programme continues at a fast pace with great progress being made in Devon. We have been sharing lots of vaccination promotion material with you and have selected what we think are the most effective materials to share with staff who are hesitant about getting their jabs.
We are also continuing to share material for promotion of infection prevention and control alongside vaccinations.
One of the key items in this week’s newsletter concerns staff wellbeing support so please take a little time to look at the updated resources on that part of the Provider Engagement website, along with all our usual updates to keep on top of the latest government guidance and other sources of information.
Care home residents allowed one visitor under cautious easing of lockdown
Every resident will be allowed one regular indoor visitor from Monday 8 March.
Visitors to be allowed to hold hands, with tests required before entry and PPE to be worn on site.
Changes to testing for extra care and supported living settings
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that extra care and supported living services are now able to access the Rapid Lateral Flow Device Testing, in addition to the existing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing regime. Further information can be found via their extra care and supported living testing webinars and in the attached update.
If you are a supporting living provider or extra care provider not receiving weekly PCR testing please contact us.
In discussion with providers, we have updated the resources we are signposting providers to in order to support wellbeing and resilience in their staff teams. This may be particularly useful for providers recovering from COVID outbreak. We have updated the Provider Engagement Network website and have consolidated information into a pack, which can be downloaded for printing if necessary.
Coronavirus testing for adult day care centre workers
Sets out how open day care centres providing essential care in England can order weekly PCR testing for their staff.
National roll out of regular PCR testing for care centres. All essential day care centres can order weekly PCR testing for their staff.
- Day care centre managers should register their centres online (‘self-referral portal’) and applications will be reviewed for eligibility by local authorities.
- If approved, day care centre managers should order tests every 28 days for workers.
- Tests are delivered for each day care centre worker to the centre, for a 28-day testing cycle.
- Each day care centre worker should be given four test kits every 28 days.
- Every seven days, between Thursday and Sunday, a day care centre worker should take a test, register it online, and return it by post same day.
- Day care centre workers will receive their results in two to four days by email and text message.
Delivering safe, face-to-face adult day care
We have updated our guide, Delivering safe, face-to-face adult day care, in line with the announcement of weekly routine testing for high risk adult day care centres that are deemed critical to remain open throughout lockdown.
The guide also includes practical information and practice examples, plus advice for conducting risk assessments and re-opening.
Staff movement: a risk management framework
The Care Provider Alliance has published a risk management approach briefing (developed by CPA member - the Registered Nursing Home Association) that care homes can use to manage restrictions on staff movements.
Health and care staff can now self-book into vaccination centres
To support healthcare workers and community based social care workers in priority group 2 to receive their COVID-19 vaccination, they have the option to book their vaccination appointments in a vaccination centre or community pharmacy through the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Booking Service. Staff can book online. Staff should try online booking first but if this is not possible, they can phone 119 free of charge between 7.00am and 11.00pm, seven days a week. As part of the booking process, eligible staff need to self-declare that they are a health or social care worker. Staff will be able to book this way only until Sunday 28 February.
At their appointment, staff will be asked to verbally declare that they are a health or social care worker, the type of role/work they do and the name of their employer. The member of staff should also bring ID/proof of employment such as a staff ID badge, a recent payslip or recent letter/email from their employer (dated within the last three months). Read more information in relation to the vaccination of social care workers. An eligibility checklist is available.
 Vaccination and testing all mapped out!
NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group and DCC have created a map to show you what's happening where.
Visit our website to see the map and click on the individual icons to find out where something is. We'll keep this map up to date as more locations are added.
NHS vaccination programme enters a new phase
The latest data published by the NHS shows 342,397 people in Devon received a first vaccine dose between 8 December and 14 February.
And from this week, tens of thousands more people across the county are being contacted inviting them to make an appointment for their first coronavirus vaccination, as the programme enters a new phase.
People aged 65 years old and over and those who are clinically vulnerable are now in line to receive the life-saving jab. Unpaid carers will also be offered the chance to get vaccinated if they meet the national criteria set out by the Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations.
This next phase includes a large group of people so GP practices are urging their patients in this group not to contact them about an appointment. GP practices hold data about each of their patients who fall into these groups and will contact them directly to arrange an appointment.
People aged 65 and over can book a vaccination at one of the vaccination centres using the national booking service and can choose from large scale vaccination centres or selected local pharmacy services. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free, anytime between 7.00am and 11.00pm, seven days a week. For people who are unable to travel to a large site or who would prefer to be vaccinated by their local GP, they don’t need to do anything. Their practice will contact them directly to arrange an appointment.
Designation settings update
CQC continues to work with care providers to provide assurance of safe and high-quality care in designated settings to allow people with a COVID-positive test result to be discharged safely from hospitals.
Several weeks after assuring the Infection Prevention and Control practice in a designated setting, the CQC will give them a supportive phone call using these questions as a guide.
You can read more information about designated settings on the CQC website.
Beware of COVID-19 vaccination scams
Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on Devon residents, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends.
There have been reports of scammers calling to offer vaccination appointments at a cost or sending a text or email that directs the recipient to a convincing fake NHS website with a booking link.
Please remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is only available through the NHS and will be delivered free of charge for everyone either through your GP or a large vaccination centre. You can find out more on the NHS website about how you will be contacted about your vaccination when it's your turn.
- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, then forward it to this email address. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
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 Devon's cases highest among 20 to 39 year olds
Devon's Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, focuses his message this week on the county's younger working age population – the 20 to 39 year olds.
Car sharing safety reminder
Where it is essential to car share, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:
- sharing the transport with the same people each time minimising the group size
- at any one time opening windows for ventilation
- travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them,
- where seating arrangements allow facing away from each other
- considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
- cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
- asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers
 Celebrating success - Prestige SW award won by Devon provider
The Care Company (SW) LTD have won the category of 'Best Homecare Service of the Year - Devon'. The judging panel was particularly impressed with the personal service and the use of social media platforms encouraging a very welcome culture with staff being recognise for efforts during such unusual times.
Let us know when you win an award so we can share your success!
Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Revisit previous good news stories
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