PEN weekly newsletter 15 July

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  Supporting health and social care providers in Devon

Welcome to this week's newsletter, published for adult social care providers.

This week we start with a THANK YOU to all those who are continuing to deliver care across Devon at such a challenging time.
The adult social care workforce has been incredible and continues to be so. A thank you message to all front line caring staff has been written from senior leaders across Devon.

Remember that we do our best to keep the content and structure of our PEN website up-to-date and your suggestions how to improve the site are always welcome. 


COVID-19 restrictions set to end but care and health staff continue to ensure care homes are safe places to live and work

The Prime Minster has announced that COVID-19 restrictions are set to end in England and life will soon return to close to normal, with people's judgement being key in learning to live with the virus.

Step four of the government's roadmap out of lockdown will start on Monday 19 July. But the pandemic is not over. Cases are currently rising, as are hospitalisations and, sadly, deaths, and they will rise further as society reopens. So we are being asked to remain vigilant, make informed decisions and act carefully and proportionately to manage the risks to ourselves and others.

This new phase in the government's response to the pandemic moves away from restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives and towards managing COVID-19 by advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk.

You can read the COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 guidance in full on the government's website.


What does The Prime Minister mean by 'personal responsibility’?

The Prime Minister has signalled a very clear move away from coronavirus restrictions being the law and instead indicated that people must be personally responsible for their behaviours and actions in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus. 

Nationally, Ministers and Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, have been describing what 'personal responsibility' means to them. 

We asked Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon. He says:

"The goalposts may have moved with the intended lifting of restrictions, but our responsibility as members of our family, friends and society have not changed. Please choose to do the right thing for ourselves and others."

But what is personal or social responsibility and how do I show it? 

Personal responsibility is about doing the right thing. It’s about respecting others around us and behaving in ways that protect them and ourselves from the risk of COVID-19. In this context, an airborne virus like coronavirus, that spreads easily when people are close to one another, it's really simple: 

  • try to keep your distance from others in public spaces
  • wear a face covering when indoors in public places where there are other people, for example, on public transport and in shops
  • wash your hands properly and regularly 
  • meet up outside rather than indoors, and if meeting indoors make sure there's plenty of fresh air 
  • stay at home if you're unwell and if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 take a PCR test and stay at home until you get your results
  • understand that lots of people will be very anxious with the removal of restrictions and uncomfortable about going out. Look out for them and help them. 

Guidance updates

Coronavirus testing in adult care homes
How to access test kits and step-by-step guides on how to use PCR and rapid lateral flow test kits for regular and outbreak testing of residents, staff and visiting professionals.

Updated:

  • 'Care home COVID-19 testing guidance for regular and outbreak testing of staff and residents'
  • 'COVID-19 testing schedule for a suspected or confirmed outbreak in a care home'. This reflects the policy that responding to the Delta variant in care homes has now changed.

How to work safely in domiciliary care in England
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of PPE. There is a new section on the use of PPE for live-in care workers.

Hospital discharge and community support: policy and operating model
The guidance sets out how health and care systems should support the safe and timely discharge of people who no longer need to stay in hospital.


What to do if your anxiety about covid feels overwhelming?

Coping with the lifting of restrictions

We read an interesting article in Glamour Magazine this month about this issue. It's well worth the read. They spoke to an expert in social anxiety at the University of Kent's School of Psychology. Her coping strategies include:

  • understanding what you are actually ready to do
  • speaking to your loved ones honestly about how you feel
  • trying not to feel any pressure to rush - take your time and take small steps
  • knowing that you are not on your own as lots of people are feeling the same.

The Mind website also has helpful advice about managing your feelings about lockdown easing.


Vaccine guidance for 16-17 year olds working in health and social care

The following guidance has been issued to explain whether 16-17 year olds working in frontline health and social care should have the COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizer is approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for use in people aged 12 and above, and updates to product information.  However, JCVI has not extended the programme to those under 18.

Those aged between 16-17 can have Pfizer administered under national protocol if they are classed as front-line staff  or are clinically vulnerable.


Chef Michael Caines

'Get it Done' - your COVID-19 vaccination

The NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group is encouraging those who can, to have their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and their local community.

They've launched a video featuring a host of celebrities from across the South West.


South West COVID-19 vaccination centres

From June people are able to walk in and get a COVID-19 vaccination at convenient sites, without needing to book an appointment in advance. Please take a look at the list of vaccination sites, their opening times and the type of vaccine being offered.


New funding to help Devon economy build back better and encourage the green sector

We've launched a new Natural Capital Challenge Fund to help the Devon economy to build back better and encourage the green sector in the county.

With two coastlines, two national parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Devon’s environment is a key asset and the pilot funding scheme will aim to capitalise on this to develop the county’s green economy aspirations.

A total funding pot of £300,000 is available to provide one off grants of up to £50,000 to support Devon-based businesses, social enterprises, charities, and community groups to create employment and training opportunities with initiatives such as improvements to biodiversity, tree planting, sustainable use of materials, reducing emissions, and increasing protection from flooding.

The funding scheme will also contribute towards the response to the Climate Emergency to help reduce carbon emissions in Devon to net zero by 2050. The project itself will provide the potential to save an estimated 3,000 tonnes of carbon, and restoration or recovery of 50 hectares of habitat.

Applications must be submitted by 5.00pm on Friday 20 August and funding must be spent by the end of March 2023. For more information and to download the application pack please visit our website.


Data Security and Protection Toolkit support

Devon Care Homes Collaborative and NHS Devon are running weekly webinars and workshops to help you complete the Toolkit.

If you’re looking to get started on the DSPT
Come to an introductory webinar in July on getting you registered and logged in, and find out what your next steps might be.
Data Security and Protection Toolkit: Getting Started dates

Completing the DSPT
If you’ve already made a start then these workshops to help you complete the Toolkit. You need to already have registered with the DSPToolkit and have your ICO registration in place so that you can complete the Toolkit during these sessions.

  • Data Security and IT Systems Workshop. 14 July at 11.00am. Registration.
  • Staffing and Policies & Procedures Workshop. 15 July at 11.00am. Registration.
  • Staffing and Policies & Procedures Workshop. 21 July at 11.00am. Registration.
  • Data Security and IT Systems Workshop. 22 July at 11.00am. Registration.
  • Data Security and IT Systems Workshop. 28 July at 11.00am. Registration.
  • Staffing and Policies & Procedures Workshop. 29 July at 11.00am. Registration.

A local DSPT helpline is operating Monday to Friday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm on 01626 912790. You can also email info@devoncarehomes.org.


REMINDER

CQC to publish death notifications in care homes at location level

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is going to publish data about the number of death notifications relating to COVID-19 they have we've received from 10 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, from every CQC registered care home location in England. They plan to bring that data to their Public Board meeting on Wednesday 21 July and publish it on their website that day. For further information please visit the CQC website.

Care homes who have notified the CQC will be contacted by the CQC who will share the data they intend to publish for their location in a process which commenced on Monday 5 July and will run until Friday 9 July.

The data includes all death notifications submitted between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 where COVID-19 was either suspected or confirmed regardless of the place of death.

The CQC knows that most providers have done all they can to ensure that information about the circumstance of peoples’ death is shared appropriately and will continue to engage with trade associations before publication.

Devon County Council (DCC) understands the potential impact that publication of this data may have on care homes and is able to offer homes media support if they are approached by their local press. If any Devon care home finds itself in this situation please notify DCC.


Celebrating success - Funding success

We are delighted to announce that Made-Well secured funding from the National Lottery Awards for All England to purchase a mini horse lorry, which will enable them to take their pony therapy mobile and reach out to even more people with life-limiting conditions.

The pony therapy sessions, run in cooperation with the local primary schools, individuals and families, have been very successful bringing therapeutic benefits and moments of pure joy to people living with complex disabilities and conditions such as dementia.

Here are clients and staff with miniature ponies.

Two girls standing next to a pony.Staff and clients standing in a circle with ponies between them.

Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter

Has your support helped transformed someone’s life? Have you got innovative practice to share? Send us your celebratory photos and words and we’ll help share good practice.

Revisit previous good news stories

Issue 37, 15 July 2021


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REMINDER

Domiciliary care testing

With increasing COVID-19 rates in Devon, domiciliary care providers should continue to test their staff weekly with a PCR.
Please visit guidance on domiciliary care testing.


Self-isolation to be eased for fully vaccinated adults in step 4


Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations Torquay

Walk-in vaccination session at Riviera Centre

The Riviera Centre in Torquay (TQ2 5LZ) is holding walk-in appointments for first and second doses of the NHS COVID-19 vaccination on Saturday 17, Monday 19, Thursday 22, Wednesday 28 and Friday 30 July between 9.00am and 3.00pm. Second doses must be at least eight weeks after the first dose.
Alternatively, you can book an appointment on the NHS website or phone 119 for your nearest vaccination centre.


Devon COVID-19 bulletin

AZ batches and EU travel

Some enquiries have been received from people concerned that certain batches of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield, were not being approved by the EU for travel.


Vaccination research

COVID-19 vaccines highly effective in clinical risk groups Those used in the UK as effective at preventing symptomatic disease in the majority of people with underlying health conditions as the rest of the population.

Latest REACT-1 study findings show COVID-19 infection rates 3 times lower for double vaccinated people. Interim findings from one of the country’s largest studies into COVID-19 infections in England have been published.

Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities study

A team of researchers from across the UK are speaking to people with learning disabilities and their carers, to understand their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest results from Wave 2 of the coronavirus and people with learning disabilities study are being released as a series of briefings about the topics that were identified as being important to these groups. The topics are: vaccinations, digital lives, access to health and social care, the physical and mental health. The briefings are being released in standard text and easy read.


South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT)

In addition to providing a response to emergency 999 calls, the SWASFT also responds to urgent requests from healthcare professionals, for hospital admissions and inter-hospital transfers.


Image of a thermometer

Heatwave Plan for England

The Heatwave Plan for England remains unchanged for summer 2021. Additional actions may be needed due to COVID-19 and specific resources are available on GOV.UK.


Brexit logo

Brexit

The EU Settlement Scheme application deadline expired on Wednesday 30 June, but there is still plenty of Brexit information on our PEN website.


A symbol of an address book

Are your contact details up-to-date?

We encourage providers to up-date their contact details (especially email addresses) with the DCC Procurement Team. We use these details to communicate with providers and it’s very important that we reach the correct person in your organisation, to receive appropriate referrals and timely updates from DCC, and don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Please ensure we have your most recent email address.


Proud to Care logo

Don’t forget to upload your vacancies to our jobs board to benefit from our free recruitment service. To find out more about how the Proud to Care Team can support you with recruitment, retention, training and education, please email us.


National COVID-19 guidance updates

The GOV.UK website

The NHS.UK website


DCC COVID-19 updates

Coronavirus advice to the public

Weekly stakeholder briefing

Coronavirus local dashboard and data (report on confirmed cases and deaths at a district level).


Together for Devon

Together for Devon is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together with local communities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to improve people’s health, wellbeing and care. Their website contains general information on vaccination including FAQs.


National vaccination publication collection

The national government page contains vaccination guidance, training resources, consent forms, letters, leaflets, posters and more.


NHS Devon vaccination stakeholder briefings

Read the latest weekly briefing and view previous ones.


Watch NHS Devon's webinar about vaccines and pregnancy 

Last week the NHS in Devon hosted a free live webinar for anyone to attend who wanted to know more about the COVID-19 vaccine in relation to fertility, pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI) has advised that pregnant and breastfeeding women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines in line with the rest of the population. So far tens of thousands of women have been vaccinated, mainly with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the government says no safety concerns have been identified.

Women and families from across Devon joined the webinar to hear from the expert panel and ask questions. A recording was made of the webinar for people who were unable to make the live event. You can watch it on the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) YouTube channel.


Yellow sticker with: save the date.

Webinars, online training and forums in one place

Make sure you have the opportunity to participate in local and national webinars, online forums and training by visiting our website.


PEN events calendar

Check the calendar for future events.


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