Christmas message from Jennie Stephens, Chief Officer for Adult Care and Health, Devon County Council
I want to start by putting on record my overwhelming thanks for the amazing things that you continue to do every day that make such a difference to so many people. Everyone working in adult social care across Devon should be so very proud of what they are achieving, particularly in the last two years, during a time when not only our work has been transformed but our lives too. I have been so impressed with the way we have all worked, brought together by a single cause, collaborating and co-producing like never before. The Provider Engagement Network is stronger than ever. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to that. We will need to draw on that strength as we know the current situation is very challenging and it is predicted to remain that way for a number of weeks.
Throughout the pandemic the ability of care providers in Devon to provide care has been the highest concern for DCC and the CCG, and this continues to be the case. We are expanding our agency care worker bank to support any services with severe staffing shortages caused by COVID-19 and staff needing to self-isolate.
I also want to take this opportunity to let everyone know that I intend to retire as of April next year after more than a decade as the Director of Adult Social Services in Devon. During that time I’ve seen significant changes, but nothing that has put social care on the map and in the minds of the public more than the events of the last two years. We need to build on that, including our national lobbying for better recognition for the social care workforce. This feels like a vitally important opportunity as social care is talked about more than ever.
I hope everyone is able to take some time away from work over the festive period, recharge and do the things that make Christmas special for you.
Merry Christmas
Jennie Stephens Chief Officer for Adult Care and Health
Updated visiting arrangements in care homes guidance
The guidance on care home visiting arrangements was updated on Tuesday 14 December with the main points summarised here:
- Reducing the number of visitors each care home resident can receive to three:
- three not including essential care givers, which should be available to any resident
- three not including preschool age children
- visits to be arranged in advance but not to be limited in duration
- to take place in a room most comfortable for the resident, which may be their own room
- with appropriate hygiene and PPE but not restricting physical contact
- after appropriate testing: a negative lateral flow device (LFD) on the day of the visit
- and not if feeling unwell even if testing negative.
- Changing testing arrangements for staff and essential caregivers:
- essential care givers should follow same PPE guidance as staff when delivering personal care
- essential care givers should be allowed to visit during outbreak
- weekly PCR test
- at least three LFD tests per week
- enhanced testing if required during outbreak.
- Exceptional arrangements when a home is in outbreak:
- visits facilitated in facilities which are ventilated, screened etc
- complemented by virtual visit arrangements
- subject to risk assessment by Health Protection Team for up to 28 days duration.
- Requiring testing or self-isolation following visits out of the care home:
- no isolation if vaccinated / exempt
- 14 days isolation if not fully vaccinated
- isolation if following hospital stay, positive test or visit assessed as high risk.
- End of life visits should always be supported without restrictions on the number of visitors.
- Professional visitors should comply with mandatory vaccination, testing, PPE and IPC requirements.
- The local Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Public Health should offer advice and support but not impose whole area bans on visits.
Updated guidance on management of staff and exposed patients
Guidance on the management of staff and exposed patients in health and care settings was updated on Wednesday 15 December, with self-isolation requirements removed for contacts of a case infected with the Omicron variant.
Hospital discharge guidance update
Guidance on the appropriate infection prevention and control precautions for stepdown in hospital or discharge to home or residential settings for COVID-19 patients was changed on Tuesday 14 December with the removal of the separate approach to the Omicron variant because this is now becoming the dominant variant.
Local guidance for visits out of care homes to families at Christmas
We are seeing increasing requests for residents to leave care homes in outbreak to spend Christmas with their families.
The continuing serious risk from the virus within care homes must be balanced against the potential impact of isolation and loneliness on physical and mental wellbeing for the individuals we support.
Time together with loved ones is very important at this time of year, particularly for people who may be in the final chapters of their lives.
Whilst responsible Christmas visiting outside of the home can be facilitated, care homes should consider how this can be facilitated in a safe way that provides protection for all care home residents and staff. This local guidance aims to support that process.
England moves to Plan B
The most recent data shows that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is spreading rapidly, with analysis suggesting cases are doubling every two and a half to three days.
The Prime Minister confirmed that England will move to Plan B to try to slow the spread while more data is assessed on how severe this variant is and how effective the vaccine is against it.
These temporary measures include:
😷 from Friday 10 December, face coverings must be worn in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship, unless you're exempt. There's a full list of the places face coverings must now be worn on the government's website
🏠 from Monday 13 December, those who can, are advised to work from home
📱 from Wednesday 15 December, the NHS COVID Pass is required to enter certain venues and events where large crowds gather, such as nightclubs and stadiums. This is to check that all visitors aged 18 years old or over are fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours or have an exemption
The government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data but vaccines remain the best line of defence against the virus, so if you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Please also use COVID-19 rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests regularly, particularly before entering a high-risk setting involving people you wouldn't normally come into contact with, or when visiting a vulnerable person.
Care homes staff and residents urged to get booster jabs
Devon’s NHS primary care networks have been asked to ensure we maximise booster uptake for residents and staff and may be re-visiting care homes before Christmas to ensure that this is the case.
However, it is important that we all get vaccinated and staff should continue to access a booster as soon as possible through their local PCN, pharmacy or vaccination centre via the links below and should not wait to be visited at the care home by their PCN.
Gap between second and booster doses reduces
The National Booking System has been updated to allow people to book their booster vaccination for three months (61 days) after their second dose.
Please read more about the gap between the second and the booster doses.
COVID-19 Omicron variant: care sector guidance
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued guidance on how the announcements made last week with regards to the Omicron variant and the subsequent updates to the vaccination programme may affect the care sector.
The Department has asked providers to continue to stay in touch with their local protection teams and follow the guidance on self-isolation for confirmed cases of the Omicron variant. In addition, the social care winter vaccinations comms toolkit has been emphasised as useful support in encouraging staff to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster.
First cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant identified in Devon
Devon has received notification of the first confirmed cases of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant within the county.
If you want to know more about the Omicron variant, the UK Health Security Agency has published an interesting blog.
COVID-19 case rates in Devon remain higher than the national average
The highest rates are among primary and secondary school aged children followed by those aged 40 to 59 and 20 to 39 years old. We're also starting to see small increases in cases among the over 80s.
Plans for a safer get together
With Christmas around the corner, traditionally it's been a time to get together to celebrate the season.
But with COVID-19 cases higher in Devon than the national average, there are no guarantees for a risk-free event.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, was reported last week advising people to be careful about socialising. So while there are things you can do to reduce the risk, that risk is never completely eliminated.
Tips for a safer get together:
- choosing an outdoor venue is preferable to an indoor event
- before getting together, take a COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) test and only go if you're negative and have no symptoms of infection
- wear face coverings in crowded enclosed spaces, unless exempt
- if your event is indoors, the venue should have plans in place to reduce risk, such as good hand washing facilities and making sure the room is well ventilated
- don't go if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive, or have been identified as a close contact of someone with Omicron and therefore need to be self-isolating
- and if you develop symptoms of coronavirus or test positive for it, within two days following the event, you should inform NHS Test and Trace that you attended the event to help with contact tracing.
Visit the government's website to find out more about how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Department of Health and Social Care: COVID-19 update
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has released an updated Stakeholder Q&A. Some key themes this week include:
- NIHR supported study publishes COVID-19 booster data
- Minister calls for at risk groups to get booster jabs
- UK marks one year since approving COVID-19 vaccine with Boost Day.
Vital business support to help Devon's economic recovery
Social care winter support package
Please read the press release announcing a support package to protect adult social care this winter, including £300 million to help recruit and reward the workforce.
Vaccination programme 'thank you' from our Chief Nurse
Darryn Allcorn, Chief Nursing Officer, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said:
"It won’t have escaped your notice that today is the first anniversary of the vaccine programme and what a year it has been!
"I would like to take a brief opportunity to personally thank every single one of you who has been involved in the programme to date. Without the part you play day in day out, the programme would not have been so successful.
"Today is a time to reflect on these enormous efforts and how we came together as one big Devon community to protect the health and wellbeing of our population.
"THANK YOU so much for being on this journey with me and I hope you will continue to support the programme as we continue into the second year."
Try out a new personal protective equipment (PPE) portal platform
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) invites you to take part in user research for a new platform that will replace the current PPE Portal.
They will be testing the new platform from January 2022. They hope to build a representative group across all sectors, experience levels and user needs.
They are particularly interested in hearing from users with accessibility requirements, such as individuals with disabilities or those who are less familiar with online platforms.
During this time, you will be onboarded onto the new platform and will order your PPE through the new system. There will be no change in the type or quantity of PPE that you can order.
Please note that this user research does not mean that DHSC has taken a decision on whether to continue to supply free PPE to health and care sectors beyond March 2022. They will announce their decision in due course.
Why get involved?
- Gain early access to new and enhanced PPE Portal features.
- The opportunity to familiarise yourself with the new platform ahead of its full launch. This is a great opportunity to learn about the new platform and become comfortable using it.
- Help improve the new system. Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring their platform is meeting users’ needs and is accessible to all.
What they would ask from you?
- They anticipate your involvement to take no more than one hour a week. This includes using the new platform and feeding back your experiences. There will be a team on hand throughout the entire process to support you in using the new system.
- They will ask you to complete some short surveys sharing your experiences of the current Portal as well as the new Portal.
- They will also invite you to focus groups where you can share more detailed feedback about your experiences on the Portal.
If you wish to register your interest, please fill out this short form. Invitations to join the new Portal, and their user research, will commence in early January 2022. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with DHSC.
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