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Welcome to this week's newsletter, published for adult social care providers.
This week saw the announcement of plans for the reform of the NHS and social care, and we are all now waiting for the detailed information which will support the headline announcements.
In the mean-time, we once again thank you for your hard work under pressure as we look forward to hearing what changes will eventually be made to ease that pressure.
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.
Updated information on temporary medical exemptions from vaccination for people working in care homes
With today (Thursday 16 September) being the last day on which care home staff can get vaccinated in order to meet the November compulsory vaccination deadline, the government has published three documents on this web page:
Temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination of people working or deployed in care homes
The updated web page contains:
This letter from Claire Armstrong, Director of Adult Social Care Delivery.
And two self-certification forms:
Please note that we are still waiting for the national guidance to be updated and we will publish a link to that guidance when changes have been made.
In the mean-time we have updated our Mandatory vaccination in care homes: FAQ incorporating useful links and resources.
The letter from the Director of Adult Social Care Delivery says that guidance will be updated in the coming days and introduces a temporary self-exemption process.
The temporary self-certification will apply for 12 weeks after the introduction of the long-term process.
Please remember to check our vaccination web page for the latest information bookings too.
Public Health England (PHE) have developed this guidance to support staff to ensure there is high uptake of the flu vaccine this season.
Those eligible for a flu vaccination include all social care workers and social care workers working with children who are clinically vulnerable to flu
Remember the final deadline for care home vaccination is looming!
The deadline for care home colleagues to receive a first dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine is just around the corner:
Thursday 16 September. Vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) comes fully into force in November.
Vaccination as condition of deployment in care homes: first COVID-19 dose deadline approaching
Vaccination as a condition of deployment letter
Some providers will have been copied in on legal challenges to DHSC about the enforceability of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment. This DHSC response makes it clear that in their view VCOD is legal and enforceable
Described as “responsible, fair, and necessary action taken to provide biggest catch-up programme in the history of the NHS and reform the adult social care system”, the government has announced:
- Pledges to tackle NHS Covid backlogs and cut waiting times with new £36 billion investment for health and social care
- NHS capacity to increase to 110% of planned activity levels by 2023/24, offering more appointments, treatments, and operations
- A social care reform plan to end catastrophic costs for people across the country, and include extra investment in care sector to improve training and support
- A new Health and Social Care Levy on working adults and an equivalent rise in the rates of dividend tax to fund this reform.
Read the plans in the paper ‘Build Back Better: Our Plan for Health and Social Care’
DCC welcomes reform
Devon County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, Cllr James McInnes welcomes the announcement of reforms to support health and social care.
Consultation on compulsory vaccination for frontline health and care staff
The government has previously said that staff working specifically in care homes, and visitors - such as trades people and professionals who access those care homes - will need to be double COVID-19 vaccinated by Monday 11 November, unless exempt. Now the government is also proposing compulsory COVID-19 and flu jabs for frontline NHS and care workers.
They have launched a six-week consultation to look at whether the requirements should apply for health and wider social
care workers - those in contact with patients and people who receive care.
Should I get a vaccine? Leaflet to support vaccination in pregnancy
The Royal College of Midwives has produced the leaflet ‘Should I get a vaccine?’ to support people in their decision about COVID vaccination.
Vaccination: your questions and concerns answered
The reasons behind vaccine hesitancy can be complex and longstanding, which is why huge effort has been put into providing as much information, reassurance and independent advice as possible.
Here are a number videos and materials which myth-busted concerns around the vaccines’ alleged negative effects on pregnancy and fertility and explained why natural immunity on its own is not enough to provide full protection.
There are also materials for ethnic communities with personal testimony from vaccinated care staff, resources and videos to share along with these Q&A resources.
Preparation for vaccines in Autumn/Winter 2021
The Director of Adult Social Care Delivery and COVID-19 response, Claire Armstrong, has written regarding preparation for vaccines in Autumn/Winter 2021. The letter emphasizes that it is essential that everyone working in social care is protected against COVID-19 and seasonal flu.
Guidance on NHS COVID-19 pass updated
Earlier this week the government updated the guidance on how to get the NHS COVID-19 Pass and demonstrate COVID-19 status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England.
Please visit the government website for more information about the NHS COVID-19 Pass, including what it is, how to get it and what you can use it for.
Devon Learning Disability Care Home Provider Engagement event
Calling all Devon Learning Disability Care Home providers! You are invited to attend a virtual provider engagement event on Wednesday 22 September 1:00pm to 2:00pm to meet with commissioners and the Market Management Team to find out more about the new regional LD Framework and ask any questions.
We would also like to use this event to explore with you opportunities to strengthen our engagement with our LD care homes and welcome your involvement with this discussion. If you have not received the calendar invite please email: socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
Reminder - COVID-19 impacts and increased demand for health and social care services.
Like elsewhere in the country, Devon is seeing an increase in people admitted to hospital with COVID-19, which means there are fewer beds available for other patients. Those in most urgent need are being prioritised, but some patients will wait longer for treatment.
The NHS is asking people to help by using services wisely and doing their bit to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
- keep hospital emergency departments for emergencies. If your condition isn’t an emergency, choose a different service
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use your local pharmacist for minor conditions such as insect bites, ear ache and skin rashes - they can provide expert advice and a fast route to medication
- use the HANDi paediatric app for advice on common childhood illnesses
- use NHS 111 online or by phone if you need advice or medical treatment quickly and can’t wait to see your GP. If you need to be seen by a minor injuries unit or emergency department they can book you in
- get vaccinated against COVID-19
- continue to maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and meet outside where possible to reduce the spread of the virus.
- collect friends or family members from hospital as soon as possible when they are ready to leave.
Home for Good: Successful community support for people with a learning disability, a mental health need and autistic people.
CQC have just published their latest report Home for Good. This report celebrates successful community support. It includes eight stories of people who have previously been placed in hospital settings, often called Assessment and Treatment Units
Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection
The past year has been a difficult time for the entire adult social care workforce, which is why a Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection has been launched, hosted by The Care Workers' Charity and fully endorsed by our Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy in this heartfelt post for the DHSC Social Care blog. The day, announced during this year's Professional Care Workers' Week, will take place in March 2022.
Meanwhile, care colleagues can make use of a life assurance scheme for frontline NHS and social care staff who contract coronavirus during the course of their work. It is non-contributory and covers staff who provide care for people who have contracted coronavirus or who work in health or social care settings where the virus is present.
Details of how to claim can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority website
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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