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Welcome to this week's newsletter, published for adult social care providers.
We are doing our best to support providers in the current challenging times and this newsletter is one way of ensuring you can keep up with the ongoing changes to guidance and advice.
We wish to reiterate our heart-felt thanks to you all, from self-employed Personal Assistants through to staff and managers in large organisations, as you continue to give much-needed care to the people of Devon.
Remember that we keep the content and structure of our PEN website up-to-date and your suggestions on how to improve the website are always welcome.
 New guidance on the mandatory vaccination of care home workers
From 11 November, all care home workers and anyone entering a care home, will need to be fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt under the regulations.
Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus both for staff and care home residents.
Vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes: operational guidance
This guidance has been produced to help support the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021 (‘the regulations’).
These regulations require registered persons of all Care Quality Commission registered care homes (which provide accommodation together with nursing or personal care) to ensure that anyone who works or volunteers in the indoor premises of that care home must demonstrate that they have been vaccinated or have an exemption.
Risk Assessment Framework and Form: exemption from isolation
The Risk Assessment Framework and Form for exemption from contact isolation for fully vaccinated social care staff in exceptional circumstances includes a Risk Assessment Form and instructions for its completion by the managers of impacted staff.
Please note that providers MUST complete risk assessments using ONLY this Risk Assessment Form (page 3) when applying for staff exemptions from self-isolation, rather than producing their own forms.
National guidance updates
COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021
The guidance was updated on Monday 2 August with translations for the 'COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021' publication.
Management of staff and exposed patients and residents in health and social care settings
Guidance on the management of staff, patients and residents who have been exposed to COVID-19, was updated on Monday 2 August, clarifying the risk-assessment process and an additional mitigation for staff to avoid working with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.
Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection was updated on Monday 2 August with more translations.
Guidance for providers of supported living settings
The visiting section of this guidance has been updated in line with the government’s roadmap. The updates clarify visiting arrangements, and highlight how lateral flow testing for people being supported, and visitors, can aid visits in and out of the accommodation.
 Pregnancy and vaccination
Since 16 April, the JCVI has recommended that pregnant women should be offered the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines alongside the general population.
Latest data published on 25 July by UKOSS suggests that the Delta variant is associated with an increased risk of severe illness among hospitalised pregnant women, compared with the Alpha and ‘wildtype’ variants of previous waves. The research also shows that of 171 pregnant women admitted to hospital between 16 May and 11 July, none had been fully vaccinated.
 Furlough rules changed for employers on Sunday 1 August
The government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as furlough, changed again on Sunday (1 August).
Under the scheme, employees receive 80 per cent of their current salary, capped at £2,500 a month.
Since the beginning of July, employers have been asked to contribute 10 per cent towards the wages of furloughed workers for hours their staff do not work. But from Sunday 1 August, and throughout August and September, employers will have to pay 20 per cent of the employees’ wages, and the government will pay 60 per cent of wages, to a maximum of £1,875.
 Good to be back on the bus!
The events of the last year have made people less confident about using public transport, particularly buses. Whether you’re a frequent bus user or haven’t hopped on board for a while, be assured that Devon's transport providers are keen for you to feel comfortable and confident during your journey.
While no situation is risk free, there are actions we can all take to protect ourselves and others when using public transport. For example, opening windows for ventilation, sanitising your hands, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, planing your journey for quieter times of day or using routes and stops that aren't so busy.
The legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport in Devon has been lifted. However, the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as on public transport.
Visit the Travel Devon website for more information.
Let's hear it for the girls! Higher proportion of younger women than younger men vaccinated
Just over 50 per cent of women aged 18 to 49 years old have now had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to just under 40 per cent of men in the same age group.
With case levels in Devon currently higher than we've seen earlier in the pandemic, there has never been a more important time to get yourself protected.
England men’s football manager, Gareth Southgate, posted a video on Twitter, encouraging everyone to get the jab, especially younger people.
“If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, just go and get it done,” he says.
You can book a vaccination appointment today, using the online booking system or by calling NHS 119.
 Current walk-in vaccination centres
The below table lists some of the main walk-in vaccination centres open over the next few days. Please view a FULL list of these centres and their opening times.
| Vaccination site |
Dates and times
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Type and dose
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| Greendale, Exeter |
Thursday 5 - Sunday 8 August, 8:30am - 7:00pm |
Pfizer 1st & 2nd and AZ 2nds |
| Home Park, Plymouth |
Thursday 5 August, 8:30am - 6:00pm |
Walk-in Pfizer and Moderna |
| English Riviera Centre, Torquay |
Thursday 5 August, 8:30am - 4:00pm |
Appointments and walk in, Pfizer and AZ |
| Newton Abbot Racecourse |
Saturday 7 August, 08:30am - Midday |
Pfizer or AZ
1st for over 18s, 2nd for patients past 8 weeks since 1st dose |
Responding to misinformation (anti-vax) webinar
Tuesday 10 August 2021, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Get advice and support on the types of challenging situations you may experience from people attempting to disrupt vaccination clinics (sometimes called 'anti-vax') and how to handle them.
The webinar will be led by Dr Alex Degan, a local GP and clinical lead for Devon's vaccination operations centre, supported by members of Devon's vaccinations team.
To join the webinar please follow the link.
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
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