PEN weekly newsletter 18 November 2021

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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.

We once again thank all providers for their ongoing hard work in challenging times.

From today, the National Booking System should be able to take advance bookings for COVID-19 booster vaccinations for frontline health and social care staff, regardless of age, so book yours!

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. 


Front line health and social care staff - book your booster appointment!

From Friday 19 November all frontline health and social care staff should be able to use the National Booking System  to book a COVID-19 vaccination booster appointment if it’s been 152 days (about five months) since their second dose.

Appointments will be offered 182 days (about six months) from your second dose and we encourage all staff to take up the offer and book their booster appointment as soon as possible to protect themselves and the people they support.

Please book your booster using the National Booking System or by ringing 119 or visiting you local vaccination centre.


Walk-in vaccination centre Plymouth

Booster bookings via walk-in centres

As well as using the National Booking System, people can also book by calling 119 or get vaccinated at hundreds of walk-in sites across the country six months after their second dose without an appointment. Those eligible can use the NHS online walk-in finder to locate the most convenient site.


Guidance update round-up: home care, staff movement and other updates

Provision of home care guidance has been updated in line with the latest clinical advice from the UK Health Security Agency. This update brings together guidance for social care staff, registered providers, local authorities and commissioners who support and deliver care to people in their own homes in England.

Meanwhile, recent updates have been made to protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 and restricting workforce movement between care homes and other care settings. Please see also revisions to the code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel.


Get your free flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters

Don't forget: frontline adult social care workers are still eligible for a free flu and COVID-19 booster vaccine to help boost their immunity this winter.

Communications toolkits and marketing materials, including Q&A leaflets, posters, social media graphics and email signatures, remain available for care providers to encourage colleagues to take up both vaccines. Printed materials are available to pre-order, alongside digital assets.


New campaign to 'Stop COVID-19 hanging around'

A new campaign has been launched to demonstrate the importance of simple ventilation techniques to reduce the risks of catching COVID-19 this winter.

An explainer film, which is being used on NHS and government digital channels, has been released by scientists demonstrating the positive impact of reducing COVID-19 levels indoors by opening a window for just ten minutes every hour when socialising with others.

You can download resources on COVID-19 health behaviours.


Walk-in vaccination centre Plymouth

Test and Trace still plays an essential part in reducing COVID-19 transmission and outbreaks

The NHS Test and Trace programme is continuing to identify people who are known to have been in close proximity to anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus via a PCR test.

In Devon, our team is helping to trace those close contacts and advise them on further steps to reduce risk to themselves and others.

Known contacts of people who test positive for COVID-19 no longer have to self-isolate if they’re fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and six months. But people can still catch coronavirus even if they are fully vaccinated and spread it to others even before they show any symptoms. 

Devon’s Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, said:  

“Contact tracing continues to be an essential part of reducing coronavirus transmission and containing outbreaks. 

“If you are contacted by the tracing team or you receive a message from the Test and Trace app to tell you that you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please be extra cautious.  

“If you are fully vaccinated or under 18 years and six months, take a PCR test to see if you have also caught the virus and self-isolate if you test positive. If the PCR test result is negative please look out for symptoms, continue to test regularly with lateral flow device tests and follow the public health guidance around wearing face coverings, fresh air and good hand hygiene. 

“If you’re traced as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and you’re not fully vaccinated, you are required to self-isolate because you are at greater risk of catching and passing on the virus.”

You can find out more about NHS Test and Trace on the NHS website.


Taking antibiotics when you don't need them puts you and your family at risk

World Antibiotic Awareness Week

World Antibiotic Awareness Week runs from Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 November. The campaign aims to increase awareness of global antibiotic resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Find out more about the Antibiotic Guardian campaign.

Watch this video about Devon resident and scholar Vanessa Carter and her struggles with facial prosthetic surgery and the challenges with antibiotics used in it.


Self-Care Week reminds us to practise self-care for life

Self-Care Week (from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 November) is the annual national event that raises awareness of what we can all do to improve our physical health and mental wellbeing. 

The NHS website has a great deal of information on steps you can take to look after yourself.


A picture of a nurse in a white top wearing a face mask

Infection Prevention and Control Champions Network launched

A new network of adult social care infection prevention and control champions has been launched to help maintain and continuously improve standards across the care sector.

Run by the Queen’s Nursing Institute, the scheme is supported by Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Deborah Sturdy OBE and backed by a £35,000 grant from the Department of Health and Social Care.

The network will be made up of frontline social care staff from settings around England responsible for lPC in their specific areas or homes

Read Deborah Sturdy's blog introducing the network.


CQC are currently looking at improving the ways providers register with them and send them notifications

The CQC would like your help as someone working for a health or social care provider. This might be a quick conversation or a more in depth interview about you and your work in relation to CQC.

Anyone can sign up (CQC run research with different providers all the time). They would like to speak to you whether you are new or experienced in your role.

Please sign up if you are willing for CQC to contact you. Research sessions are never more than an hour online or over the phone.


Care home locality support forums

These forums are engagement opportunities for care home providers and their registered managers, DCC Market Management Team and the locality Assistant Director / Social Care Operational team.

The next Care Home Locality Forums:

  • East - Tuesday 7 December 10.30am to 11.30am
  • South & West - Tuesday 18 January 2.00pm to 3.30pm
  • North - Thursday 20 January 1.00pm to 2.30pm

If you have not received the calendar invite please email us stating which locality meeting you would like to receive invites for (North, East or South & West).


EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) - latest updates and final ADASS webinars

The Home Office has announced continuation of funding until the end of March 2022 for many Grant Funded Organisations who are able to provide direct guidance to vulnerable adults who have yet to apply and to those who require support in submitting appeals.

Much needed clarification around the financial impact on Continuing Health Care and Funded Nursing Care has been obtained from the Department of Health and Social Care. It has been confirmed that both services will remain non-chargeable to EU/EEA nationals. The overseas visitor charging guidance has been recently updated.

ADASS are hosting what will be the last EUSS webinars taking place on Wednesday 24 November from 12.30pm to 1.30pm and Wednesday 8 December from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. This will be the last opportunity to hear the latest guidance from the No Recourse to Public Funds network. To book a place please visit ADASS website.

Updated guidance to signpost individuals to the scheme.


Walk-in vaccination centre Plymouth

Study shows vaccine immunity is stronger than natural immunity

The ZOE COVID Study found that vaccines offer greater protection against COVID-19 than natural antibodies. 

Their conclusion is that while being infected with coronavirus can provide some level of antibody protection, it's not guaranteed for everyone and that the level of protection it gives is lower than the protection that the vaccines provide. 


Measuring Self-funding in Care Homes – feedback needed

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is seeking feedback to support the development of statistics measuring the number of people in care homes who are ‘self-funders’.

ONS has recently published an experimental or ‘beta’ version of how we might be able to measure the number of self-funders in England and would be grateful for your feedback to help address this key evidence gap, by completing this short survey.  The survey is live until 15 November.

If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact  ONS.


Care Workers’ Charity – financial and wellbeing support

  • COVID-19 Emergency fund. Emergency funding for care workers who have suffered a drop in income due to COVID-19 or who need financial support because of a COVID-related circumstance.
  • Crisis grant. If you’ve experienced a change in circumstance in the last year that has left you in financial need, please apply for their Crisis Grant. 
  • Mental wellbeing and health support. Providing FREE mental health and wellbeing sessions with a qualified therapist.

If you want to have a chance of winning up to £250 and some stationary goodies from Staedtler then enter the Care Workers' Charity Writing Competition. This year’s theme is 'Community'. Entries are open to anyone who works in the UK social care sector. Submit your entry by Tuesday 30 November.


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 53,  18 November 2021


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


Independent Living Group invitation

The national Independent Living Group (ILG) is made up of individuals who employ employers of personal assistants (PAs) to meet their social care needs and there are many advantages in joining that organisation so if you know anyone who employs a PA please let them know about the ILG.


National Safeguarding Awareness Week

Monday 15 to Monday 22 November

This week provides an opportunity for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The aim is to highlight safeguarding key issues, facilitate conversations and to raise awareness of safeguarding best practice. There is a wealth of resources available to you to enhance your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, including free training workshops.

Each day has seen a focus on a different safeguarding theme to explore how we can create safer cultures.

Northam Care Trust covers the Safeguarding Awareness Week in their newsletter.


Childcare Choices - help paying for your childcare

The Childcare Choices is a government website offering help with childcare costs for parents, where you can find out if you are eligible for free childcare or funding for it.

If you need help to find suitable childcare, please complete this short form and the Early years and childcare service will contact you to provide support.


COVID-19 case rates in Devon continue to be above the national average

The highest rates are in the zero to 19 year old and 40 to 59 year old age groups, although rates for both groups have continued to reduce.


ONS compares vaccination status of COVID-19 deaths

Figures produced by the Office for National Statistics show that between January and September this year fully vaccinated people were 32 times less likely to die with COVID-19 than those who are unvaccinated.


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.

The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme

Access our exciting new Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme, which provides a variety of free, flexible introductory courses, digital skills, further education and more. All designed to support you and your team to progress and develop. Find out about our amazing offers today on our training and education page.


Keyboard

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. It’s very important that we reach the correct person in your organisation to receive appropriate referrals and timely updates from DCC, and that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Please ensure we have your most recent email address.


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.


Testing webinars

The Department of Health and Social Care will be facilitating live webinars for domiciliary care, extra care, supported living providers and adult care centres. The webinars will be specifically geared towards the registration journey and will be open for attendees to ask any testing related query.

Domiciliary care: Friday 26 November at 10.00am

Extra care, supported living and adult day care centres: Friday 26 November at 1.00pm.


'Safe and Well for Winter' webinar for care home and domiciliary care providers

The webinar is on Thursday 18 November from 2.00pm until 3.00pm and will cover various topics.


North Devon Care Homes Team offers virtual training sessions

The free sessions are open to all services in North Devon only and they run from November to the end of January. There is a wide range of topics covered e.g. CAUTI, diabetes, end of life, pressure damage etc.

To book a session please visit the North Devon Healthcare website.

If you have any queries please contact them on 07826 533830 or email the Team.


PEN events calendar

Check the calendar for future events.


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.


Joining Up Care Fortnightly Updates

The Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services have formed a new partnership with NHSX to improve people’s lives by supporting health and social care joint working through the improved use of technology and data. Please read a fortnightly update with top news, new resources, tools and publications and other developments, and pass this on to all those interested.


International seminar on care home research

A seminar, hosted by LTC Responds to COVID, allowed three research teams to share findings on the experiences of the care home sector during the pandemic and now the video and slides are available.  LTCCOVID has published a blog too.


New OECD Report: COVID-19 in Long-Term Care

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development  has published a new report on the Impact of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care, policy responses and challenges.


PEN newsletter archive

View previous issues