Friday 12 November 2021
Public: coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Devon on our website
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
Do it for Devon
Stick with us and keep following the guidance to keep everyone safe and well.
We need the support of local residents and visitors to keep Devon safe. While cases are high, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why the government is keeping key protections in place.
#RespectProtectEnjoy #DoItForDevon
 COVID-19 vaccination to be a condition of employment for health and social care staff
The government announced that from 1 April 2022 health and social care providers in England will be required to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are exempt.
Ensuring the maximum number of health and social care staff are vaccinated will help the most vulnerable patients gain the greatest possible levels of protection against infection.
The measures will also protect workers, as extensive unexpected absences can put added pressure on care settings.
The regulations will apply to health and social care workers who have direct, face-to-face contact with people while providing care; such as doctors, nurses, dentists and domiciliary care workers, unless they are exempt.
They will also include volunteers and support staff such as receptionists who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in their care.
The vast majority of Devon’s health care workers have already chosen to be vaccinated. Published statistics show that in the south-west region over 95 per cent of all staff employed by NHS trusts have had at least one dose and almost 93 per cent are fully vaccinated. This is higher than the national average for England.
Many of those staff are now coming for their booster vaccinations and there are plenty of walk-in clinics and bookable appointments available.
CCG Members' briefing - coronavirus vaccination in Devon
Please see below for the latest coronavirus vaccination briefing for Members from NHS Devon, Devon’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG):
You can view current and previous copies on the Provider Engagement Network (PEN) website.
 Personal Information Security Policy update
In response to the evolving information security risks that Devon County Council now face, our Personal Information Security Policy has been updated. The main updates to the Personal Information Security Policy are:
- references to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are replaced by the UK GDPR
- links to new IT security policies, new cyber security guidance materials and mandatory training, and new information security guidance included within the policy
The updated policy was communicated to all staff and Members by email on Tuesday 9 November via email from our data protection and cyber security awareness platform, MetaCompliance.
This allows everyone to read and record that they have understood the policy. Please ensure you have received the notification email into your inbox. This has been sent from: keepdevonsdatasafe@metacompliance.com
 Booster bookings available after five months
The National Booking System has been changed to make it even easier for people to get their booster jab six months after their second COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Everyone aged over 50 years old and all those most at risk from COVID-19 can now pre-book their booster jab appointment a month before they are eligible. This means that someone could pre-book their jab for the day they reach the six-month milestone, rather than waiting days or weeks for a convenient appointment.
More than 9.3 million people have already received their top-up COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring the vital protection they have secured from their first two doses is maintained over the winter months. This change to the booking system will further speed up the booster roll-out.
People can also book by calling 119 or get vaccinated at hundreds of walk-in sites across the country without an appointment, six months after their second dose. Those eligible can use the NHS online walk-in finder to locate the most convenient site.
 A window open for just 10 minutes helps reduce coronavirus spread
During winter we all naturally spend more time indoors, welcoming family and friends into our homes as the weather gets colder. But with this comes an increase in the potential for breathing in infectious COVID-19 particles, particularly as around one in three people with the virus show no symptoms so could pass it onto each other without knowing, even to those who have been fully vaccinated.
New research shows that nearly two-thirds of the public are not aware that ventilation is an effective way to reduce the spread of coronavirus in our homes. Just one in three are ventilating their home when visitors come over.
The government has launched a ‘Stop COVID-19 hanging around’ campaign to promote the importance of simple ventilation techniques to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 this winter.
The campaign is running across digital channels, radio stations and newspapers, with a video released in collaboration with the government by scientists at Cambridge and Leeds universities.
The video shows the positive impact of reducing coronavirus levels indoors by opening a window for just 10 minutes every hour when socialising with others.
Ordering Lateral Flow Tests
Anyone can pick up a lateral flow testing kit for free from their local pharmacy with a collect code. You can order tests online or from a pharmacy.
 Attendance in Devon schools
Children's attendance in Devon County Council maintained schools has remained above the national average for each of the groups shown in the chart above:
- for those children who have an associated social worker in Devon, attendance was 83.6% in September 2021 and 84.2% in October
- for those children who have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) in Devon, attendance was 87.8% in September 2021 and 88.3% in October
- attendance for all children in total was 92.3% in September 2021 and 92.7% in October
The figures are however slightly lower than in the summer term and this is due to an increase in the number of children testing positive for COVID-19 who were off school.
For COVID-19 advice visit our coronavirus in Devon web pages and for information relating to schools in Devon, please visit our Schools - Education and Families web pages.
 Below average COVID-19 vaccine uptake prompts renewed approach to 16 and 17 year olds
Parents and carers are being reminded of the importance for their 16 and 17 year olds to take up the coronavirus vaccine.
Case rates among the zero to 19 year age group in Devon are still very high, and uptake of the vaccine by 16 and 17 year olds in the county is below average.
"Many have taken up the vaccine, and we're continuing to see 16 and 17 year olds coming through," says Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon.
"But take up is roughly around 66 per cent, so there are still around one in three 16 and 17 year olds who haven't come forward.
"It’s not too late. You've not missed the boat, there's still time to come forward. But we'd like you to do so as soon as possible.
“The more protection there is in our community, the better it is for us all, especially as we move towards winter, and the very likely presence of other viruses such as flu."
You can book your appointment at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now, or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service.
 Care home double vaccination requirements for visiting staff
New government regulations came into force on Thursday 11 November 2021, requiring care home staff to refuse entry to anyone who cannot provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated in line with government guidance.
The regulation applies to all Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated care homes in England and all people visiting a care home in a professional capacity unless they are exempt for medical reasons or because they are providing emergency assistance.
 Support for unpaid carers - please help spread the word
There are more unpaid carers across Devon today than ever before, we’re talking about 130,000 people who are looking after a family member, friend or neighbour whilst juggling their own lives, health and wellbeing.
There’s no question that unpaid carers play a vital role, the value of the care they provide in Devon has been estimated at £1.6 billion per year, that's over £20,000 per carer. We’re launching a new campaign to encourage unpaid carers to get in touch with Devon Carers for support. We’re focussing on carers who do not access support at the same rate as others, these include carers from ethnic minority communities, male carers, LGBT+ and working age carers.
We need your help to spread the word please. Everything you need is here at: www.devoncarers.org.uk/campaign. This includes a campaign booklet, downloadable postcards and social media messages.
Carers eligible for free flu vaccine
All children and adults with learning disabilities and their family members or paid supporters are eligible to receive a free flu vaccine.
Preventing flu is particularly important for people with learning disabilities. It can lead to pneumonia and sepsis, which many people with a learning disability are much more vulnerable to than the general population.
People with learning disabilities are less likely to get the flu if people around them have also been vaccinated. Family carers can get the flu vaccination for free if they're the main carer, as can support workers.
Flu jabs are available from your pharmacist or GP.
Mencap has some helpful information on their website, and there's a link to this NHS video about flu vaccinations for people with a learning disability.
 Get NHS advice quickly ahead of 'winter like no other'
The NHS is encouraging people to use their 111 online service to get urgent medical advice quickly – in addition to existing services – ahead of what England’s top doctor says will be a ‘winter like no other’.
NHS 111 online provides advice and support to those with urgent but not life-threatening medical issues, and can be used for a range of reasons, including to check symptoms and if an injury or illness requires further investigation, to get information on mental health support services available, or to seek advice on how to take a medication.
The online tool can also advise whether you should contact your GP, direct you to urgent treatment centres and walk-in clinics and emergency dental services, visit a pharmacist or call 999, and if needed, can arrange a call from a healthcare professional.
With more people predicted to suffer from flu this year and hospitals already treating an increased number of COVID-19 patients, NHS 111 online offers an alternative way to get immediate medical advice.
Click to watch the short film 'Decarbonising Transport in Devon' on YouTube
We're leading the way with a new approach to carbon-reduction in highway maintenance
We are adopting a pioneering new, climate-focused approach to road maintenance that is winning praise nationally. We’re reviewing our road maintenance procedures – the materials we use, how they’re produced, how they’re used, how they’re applied, the labour required, the time it takes, how long they last, everything – to assess the carbon impact of the work we do.
Last week, during the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), we shared an update on how Devon County Councils is working with its partners to put carbon-reduction at the heart of our design, alongside performance and cost. You can read the update here.
We also produced a short film that describes how we and our partners are helping to decarbonise transport in Devon, and how we're encouraging active travel.
Devon Climate Emergency working together for our planet
You may be interested to know that Devon Climate Emergency produce a regular newsletter sharing news and updates. This month they have updates about their work throughout the COP26 fortnight; a new and improved selection of school resources to share, and a video explaining and celebrating the Devon Climate Emergency project.
Don't miss out, sign up to the Devon Climate Emergency newsletter and catch up with the latest one.
 Devon Remembers
On Thursday 11 November 2021, many of us joined Phil Norrey, Chief Executive, Chairman of the Council Councillor Jeff Trail BEM, and our Cabinet Member for the Armed Forces Councillor Roger Croad, to honour and reflect upon the sacrifices made by our Armed Service personnel in conflicts around the globe, past and present.
We paid tribute to their dedication in the service of our country and acknowledged the contribution of civilians, family and friends, who have also been affected in various ways by the ravages of war.
If you missed our live broadcast of the Armistice Day Flag Raising Ceremony at County Hall this week you can watch it on Facebook.
 On this year’s Day of Remembrance, our Chairman, Councillor Jeff Trail BEM, presented a wreath on behalf of Devon County Council which was delivered by GWR to London to be displayed at The Cenotaph on Whitehall.
Members' Area
Don't forget your new Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to aid you in your role as a Devon County Councillor. Key documents from the Council's various service areas, including induction resources, are posted in the Document library, and the Who's who? highlights the best person for you to contact for an efficient resolution.
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
|
