PEN weekly newsletter 7 October

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Provider Engagement Network and NHS logo Header

  Supporting health and social care providers in Devon

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

Amongst the many items in this week’s busy newsletter, there are advertisements for walk-in vaccination sessions in Exeter, Torquay and Ilfracombe.  Please encourage eligible staff to take advantage of them.

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. 


Government announces care sector funding

On 30 September the government issued this press release on the overall level of investment for the care sector this winter. Detailed guidance will follow.


COVID-19 vaccination exemption guidance updated

How to apply for official proof that, for medical reasons, you are unable to be vaccinated and / or tested for COVID-19, is now covered in the updated guidance, which includes the longer-term medical exemption process. Ultimately this supersedes the temporary process. Please remember that the temporary self-certification ceases to be valid 12 weeks after the implementation date of the newly announced longer-term process and the new process will take immediate effect from Friday 24 December.

Please note that the new exemption process:

  • is a general one for everyone and does not just relate to mandatory vaccination for people deployed in care homes
  • requires demonstration of status using NHS COVID Pass (via NHS App, website or letter)
  • states that medical exemption can be applied for by the person or their carer
  • permits reasons that are similar to the temporary process (end of life, autistic people, people with learning disabilities etc. who can’t receive vaccination even with reasonable adjustments, someone with allergies to ALL available vaccines, those with adverse reaction to first dose, pregnant women up to 16 weeks after birth, unspecified short or long-term medical conditions)
  • requires exemption to be confirmed by a clinician: a GP, specialist or midwife
  • states that those who have taken part in a vaccination trial are eligible for the NHS COVID Pass (but it may not be accepted abroad).

If any care homes are concerned about how vaccination exemptions will impact on them then they can contact the Market Management Team.


Walk-in COVID vaccination centre Exeter

Always calculate booster vaccinations period in days

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance states that a booster vaccine dose should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course, as per the guidance issued on 14 September.

As the period of six months can be calculated in different ways, for consistency, it is recommend that the interval is always calculated in days. Therefore, the booster vaccine should be given at least 182 days after the last dose and no later than 238 days after the last dose.


Required ID for staff booster jabs

Frontline health and social care workers can now book their booster vaccinations through the National Booking Service (NBS). These staff can only be vaccinated when official proof of this status is presented, including those who are vaccinated through local booking services and walk-in clinics, as well as appointments made through the NBS.

Forms of identification that are accepted are either a workplace photo ID, a letter from their employer from the past three months or a payslip from the past three months which shows their employer.


COVID-19 vaccination booster details Torquay

New PPE Emergency phone line

Since March 2020, the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR) has been servicing emergency PPE requests for UK healthcare and social care providers via a dedicated telephone line: 0800 915 9964.

From Monday 4 October 2021 the service will transfer to the PPE customer services team set up by Unipart Logistics. The Department of Health and Social Care PPE team and Clipper Group will continue to supply PPE.

The new telephone number for any emergency PPE requests is 0800 876 6802, where requests will be serviced by Unipart customer services. 

The Unipart team will support requests in the same way the NSDR has to date. Their opening hours are: Monday to Sunday from 7.00am to 7.00pm.

The NSDR telephone line (0800 915 9964) remains in use for healthcare and social care providers and suppliers to report national supply disruptions relating to any medical products.


PCR test kits delivered by the DHSC

In Devon we have experienced a small number of providers reporting the short shelf life of PCR test kits received. We have been advised by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) that all PCR tests sent in the future will have at least three months of shelf life on the day of dispatch.

To ensure you are using valid tests and most importantly, minimise the chance of void results, it is important to:

  • Always take note of the expiry date when managing your inventory and use the tests in the order they were received. Please check the expiry date on the box and sample the expiry dates stamped on the tests kits within the box to ensure they match.
  • Dispose of any tests that have expired, or are within seven days of expiry.

If you have been delivered test kits with a shelf life of less than three months please email us with the following information: date of delivery and expiry date as noted on the box or test kit. The testing team will then follow this up with the DHSC.


Changes to test kits for care homes

From Monday 11 October care homes will receive two types of Lateral Flow Test kits, a kit that will provide results in 15 minutes and a kit that provides results in 30 minutes. Care home staff should check the instructions on how to use each of these types of self-test kits which are found in the test kit packaging.


Walk-in COVID booster vaccine Ilfracombe centre

NHS ambulance staff exempt from care home vaccination entry requirements

As members of the health service deployed for emergency response, ambulance clinicians and first responders are exempt from the double vaccination requirement needed for entry to care homes. Please view the exemption guidance.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is aware that some ambulance crews have been initially declined entry to care homes. If a situation occurs when an impasse is reached between the responding ambulance clinician and the care home staff, the situation should be escalated to the local Operations Commander for resolution.

Delays to patient care must be minimised by effective partnership working on-scene. These staff are one of only three groups with such an exemption and they will be compliant with infection prevention and control measures.


Shingles vaccines cannot be co-administered with COVID-19 vaccination

Please note that the shingles vaccine cannot be co-administered with COVID-19 and there needs to be a gap of at least seven days.


CQC role in care home vaccinations

The role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is to regulate against the regulations as they are set by government. As such, the CQC is encouraging providers to read the operational guidance and to take the necessary actions to be prepared for this duty to come into place.

The requirement forms part of the fundamental standards that will be monitored and enforced in appropriate cases by the CQC. They will not begin monitoring this until it becomes a duty on 11 November 2021. They will continue to use their existing assessment and enforcement policies and take a proportionate approach, to ensure the welfare and safety of people who use services. They will always treat each matter individually and consider the individual circumstances when undertaking an assessment and deciding on any possible next steps.


Coronavirus verses regular cold symptoms

There is recognition now of a crossover of current symptoms between coronavirus and having a cold. We have all known about the main three symptoms: the high temperature, the continuous cough and the loss of your usual sense of taste or smell. But studies have shown there to be more symptoms of coronavirus, including headache, runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. So with those symptoms similar to having a regular cold, it is difficult to know what is making us unwell. 

The producers of the ZOE COVID Study app, have now published their tips for how to tell the difference between the viruses and when you should get tested. 

  • How do I know if I have a cold or COVID-19? 
  • What are the most common COVID-19 symptoms if you’re vaccinated? 
  • What are the most common COVID-19 symptoms if you’re unvaccinated? 
  • When should I get a COVID-19 test? 
  • What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? 

Please visit the DCC website for guidance about how to get a test to check if you have coronavirus – whether you have symptoms or not.


Walk-in COVID booster vaccine Ilfracombe centre

Booster jabs begin for most vulnerable

COVID-19 booster vaccinations have begun in Devon for those who are most vulnerable to coronavirus. Eligible people will be offered a booster dose at least 26 weeks (six months) after they had their second COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The majority of people who are currently eligible will receive their invite within the next three weeks. Please wait to be contacted via letter, text or email before trying to book and don't contact the NHS until you are invited for your booster. Once you have received an invitation, you can book your appointment using the National Booking Service via the NHS website or by calling 119.


Could you support a clinical student in your nursing home?

The Devon Clinical Placement Expansion Programme (CPEP) team is working with a number of Devon’s nursing / care homes who recognise the value of hosting nursing and allied health profession students in their settings. Showcasing the care you provide can impact positively on the whole team and help with both recruitment and retention of staff. Students can also act as a resource, for example home managers have acknowledged that:

  • an occupational therapy student could undertake seating assessments and support individuals to pursue their hobbies
  • a dietetic student could work with an individual to increase their nutritional intake and support the review of menu plans
  • a nursing student could support the registered nurses with all nursing duties, such as wound care, medication administration, catheter care
  • a physiotherapy student could assist with falls risk assessment and support individuals with movement programmes.

Here’s what Dr Len Lofts, CEO, The Northam Care Trust has to say about the benefits:

"Clinical placements in social care are a brilliant way of sharing knowledge, experience and innovative learning and practice across social care and health provision. They are a pure workforce investment in all that is good in Social Care and the NHS and they make such a difference to the lives of the people we support".

If you are interested to know more please email Terrie Chaplin (Clinical Placement Expansion Programme Lead) or ring her on 07494 873454.


New support package for care providers to adopt digital social care records 

A new partnership between NHSX and Digital Social Care has been formed to support the universal adoption of digital social care records.

The new national support offer includes masterclasses, buyer guidance, model contracts and template specifications. NHSX will also be supporting nine Integrated Care Systems from across the country to deliver small-scale pilots to help inform their plans for supporting the care sector in future years.

Visit the Digital Social Care or NHSX websites for more information.


A classroom with children

Public Health Devon advice to parents of school-age pupils

If your child has symptoms of coronavirus, they should not go to school. They should take a PCR test - not a lateral flow device (LFD) test - and they should self-isolate pending the result of that test. LFD tests are only for people who show no symptoms of having the virus. 

If your child is identified as a close contact, including if someone in your household tests positive, they should take a PCR test. However, unless they have symptoms of coronavirus, they are not required to stay off school while they wait for the test results. 

If your child tests positive with a routine LFD test, they should stay at home and arrange a PCR test. They should isolate while they wait for the result. If the PCR test is positive, they should continue self-isolating. If the PCR test is negative, they can return to school, but they should continue to routinely take the LFD tests twice a week. 

All secondary school age pupils and their teachers, should be taking LFD tests twice a week. 


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 48,  7 October 2021


Are your colleagues missing out? Ask them to sign-up to this PEN newsletter here!


Care home fire safety guidance

The National Fire Chiefs Council has created guidance for providers on fire safety in care homes and nursing homes to support with current health and safety practices. The guidance emphasises the critical importance of staffing levels, emergency plans and fire safety management arrangements in care /  nursing homes. They recommend providers find their local fire risk assessors or local Fire and Rescue Service to support with reviewing your fire risk assessments and management arrangements 


Reminder: Consultation on extending free PPE

Remember to participate in The Department of Health and Social Care public consultation on extending free PPE to the health and care sector beyond 31 March 2022. The consultation will close on Sunday 31 October 2021. The consultation is available on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, you can email your responses and any supporting evidence.


Policy paper on free PPE

The government published this policy paper on the provision of free PPE for all health, social care and public sector workers for COVID-19 infection control, between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022.


Transfer of public health functions

Government reforms to the public health system became operational on Friday 1 October 2021. As a result, Public Health England has transferred its health protection functions into the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and its various health care improvement functions into the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and NHS Digital, respectively. NHS Test and Trace functions are now part of the UKHSA.


Research on learning disability COVID-19 impact

Read the findings of comprehensive research into the impact of the pandemic on people with learning disabilities:


CQC report: How the right community support can improve outcomes for people with complex needs

The Home for Good report, published this month, celebrates examples of successful community support provided to people with complex needs.

The report includes eight stories of people who have previously been placed in hospital settings, all with common threads.


CQC COVID-19 Insight report

In this month's report the Care Quality Commission look at how NHS trusts are now planning for people’s care while tackling the backlog caused by COVID-19 and their assessment of challenges.


Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership Strategic Business Plan

The joint Safeguarding Adults Partnership has just published its Strategic Business Plan which sets out four strategic priorities until 2024 and how we plan to deliver them.


Brexit Logo

Brexit

Information on the EU Settlement Scheme is available on GOV.UK as well as on the PEN website.


contact details logo

Are your contact details up-to-date?

We encourage providers to update their contact details (especially email addresses) with the 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

Proud to Care Support

Proud to Care can support with your recruitment and retention needs. Sign up on our FREE jobs board to post your vacancies.
We offer our candidate matching service, ambassadors scheme, social media boosting and lots more.

We have our updates page with news on current opportunities, resources and initiatives. Take a look to see what you could access. To find out more how we can support you, please email Proud to Care.


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).


Intergrated Care System for Devon (ICSD)

Integrated Care System for Devon (ICSD)

ICSD 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.


Save the date logo

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.


How can we achieve racial equality across health and social care in Devon?

Live Panel event: How can we achieve racial equality across health and social care in Devon?

Health and social care staff across Devon are invited to a live panel event on Thursday 21 October from 7.00pm to 8.30pm.

Join this exciting event in which a panel of senior leaders and the chairs of two of Devon’s Black and Minority Ethnic staff networks will debate how we achieve racial equality across health and social care in Devon.

There will be an opportunity for questions, however, due to time restrictions, we encourage you to submit your questions in advance. You can do this when you register for the event or by emailing the organiser.

This event is for staff from health, social care and the voluntary sector in Devon. Attendance is first come, first served. The recording will be available after the event.


Living good lives webinar series: supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic adults in communities through commissioning

The first webinar Monday 1 November, 12.30pm – 2.00pm
The second webinar Monday 8 November, 12.30pm -2.00pm
The third webinar Monday 15 November, 12.30pm – 2.00pm


COVID-19 care home research webinar

Keeping connected: carer experiences of staying in touch with family and friends living in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic (UK and Canada)

This webinar takes place on Monday 11 October from 2.00pm until 3.30pm and it will bring together three studies on visiting and other restrictions that affected family members (often people who provided regular unpaid care) of people living in care homes. Two of these studies will focus on the perspective and experiences of the relatives, and the other on care homes experience of implementing family visitation policies in care homes.


PEN events calendar

Check the calendar for future events.


PEN newsletter archive

View previous issues