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Welcome to this week's newsletter, published for adult social care providers.
At the time of publication, infection rates are continuing to rise across the county and we are also approaching the flu season. Make sure you get your booster jab as soon as the 182 days have passed since your second vaccination and consider getting the flu jab too.
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.
COVID-19 rates in Devon continue to rise
COVID-19 rates in Devon are continuing to rise and are now 466 per 100,000 of the population, which is a little higher than the national average (455/100,000).
Cases are still highest among the school age population, particularly 10 to 15 year olds. We are also seeing that reflected in the rise in cases among their parents'/carers' age group, 35 to 54 year olds.
Cases have risen in most of the county, but rates are highest in Mid Devon (633/100,000).
 Have you had your flu jab yet?
Research shows that if you get flu and coronavirus at the same time, you're more likely to be seriously ill. It's also thought that more people are likely to get flu this winter as there won't be as much natural immunity due to lower levels of circulation last year during the national lockdowns.
The COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against flu so it is vital to have both your coronavirus and flu jab to reduce your chances of becoming unwell and needing hospital treatment. Getting vaccinated helps you and the NHS, which is already facing extreme pressures in the run up to the very busy winter season.
Some people are eligible to get the flu jab free on the NHS because of their age or circumstances, and can book their flu vaccination appointment at their GP practice or local pharmacy. If you are not eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, you can still pay for one privately at a local pharmacy.
The people who brought us the ZOE COVID Study app have published a handy guide about flu, its symptoms, and how to keep safe this winter. It also describes the difference between flu and COVID-19.
 New factsheet on possible mandatory vaccination for Personal Assistants
After a consultation with colleagues across the sector, the Independent Living Group team has put together a new factsheet which considers the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccinations becoming mandatory for PAs in England.
Inconclusive PCR test results - checking the expiry date
Recently a high number of inconclusive tests have been reported by providers. Please check the expiry date printed on the vial label, this may be obscured by a barcode sticker, so please lift and check to make sure the vial is in date before using. Look for the ‘egg timer’ logo on the vial and check the date there. The date will be in international standard format (YYYY-MM). The factory logo and date will be the manufacturing date.
The expiry date written on the swab packaging may not match the expiry date on the vial, so a quick check needs to be made before undertaking a swab.
A purple or lilac top vial may not have an expiry date on it. They are valid to use until 01/06/2022. If there is an expiry date on the box then go by that date.
For further advice and support please email the testing team.
Adult Social Care Infection Control and Testing Fund: round 3
This guidance sets out the measures that round 3 of the Infection Control and Testing Fund supports, including distribution of funds, conditions and reporting requirements.
The funding will be paid in two tranches. The first 60% of the fund will be paid to local authorities in October 2021. The remaining 40% of the fund will be paid in January 2022 and will cover the period to end March 2022.
Hospital discharge and community support: policy and operating model
This national policy sets out how health and care systems should support the safe and timely discharge of people who no longer need to stay in hospital. It has been updated to incorporate details of the national discharge funding settlement for quarters 3 and 4 of the 2021-22 year (1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022).
 Winter vaccination programme: new video explains benefits for care staff and residents
Vaccinations are vital to help protect care home residents and care staff this winter from flu and COVID-19.
Health and care professionals attended Evergreen Care Home in Hastings to vaccinate residents and explain the importance of getting both vaccines this winter. If you’re a frontline care worker and haven’t booked yours yet, please do so now.
REMINDER
PPE provision - remember that consultation ends on Sunday 31 October
The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on whether to extend the provision of free PPE to the health and care sector beyond 31 March 2022.
NHS and social care colleagues can provide feedback online until Sunday 31 October.
Safeguarding Adults: care home updates and discussion opportunity
Tuesday 16 November from 2.30pm to 4.00pm
This meeting has been designed to help inform and develop understanding of Safeguarding Adults, particularly in the context of recent experience including COVID-19, and will include an overview of legal duties, local arrangements, challenges and activity. Presentation and opportunities to discuss and reflect on the issues will be supported by representatives from DCC Adult Social Care safeguarding adults operations including the Quality Assurance and Improvement Team, Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adult Partnership and the CQC.
Please follow the link to join the meeting.
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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