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Below you will see that latest COVID-19 case rates in Devon may be falling but are still relatively high so please continue to make use of the information and other support available for infection prevention and control.
We do our best to keep the content and structure of our PEN website up-to-date in these fast-changing times and your suggestions on how to improve the website are always welcome.
Inflationary increases 2022-23
All providers will have received formal notification of the inflationary uplifts for 2022-23 for their service area by email on Wednesday 9 March 2022. For further information please visit the PEN website.
If your organisation has not received this information please contact us.
New online system launched for ongoing provision of free PPE to continue protecting our workforce and communities
New personal protective equipment (PPE) website launched, ensuring continuity of PPE distribution to frontline health and care staff, and other eligible users. 1 March 2022
PPE guidance update
PPE portal: how to order COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE). Updated to add a call out informing of the dates for migrating to the new PPE portal in the above item. Updated: 1 March 2022
Vaccination booster guidance
COVID-19 vaccination: spring booster resources were published on 3 March to support spring vaccination of people aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people and those aged 12 years and over with a weakened immune system. It is imperative that the consenting process for care home residents is underway to avoid any delays to the vaccination of these vulnerable individuals.
Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly with the below leaflet available to order for free.
A guide to the spring booster for those aged 75 years and older residents in care homes (print version). Updated: 3 March 2022
Spring booster dose for residents in a care home for older adults
Following The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice on the spring booster dose for residents in older adult care homes we will be sharing profiling data to support regions and systems with the planning of spring booster visits to older adult care homes, with the intention that visits will need to commence week beginning 21 March 2022.
Living with COVID-19 FAQs
The Department of Health and Social Care published Frequently Asked Questions regarding the ‘Living with COVID-19’ announcement.
COVID-19 rates in Devon
The COVID-19 pandemic is no longer top of the news agenda, but in health and care settings in Devon, it is still a priority and we are very aware that the virus has not gone away.
COVID-19 case rates in Devon continue to fall but do still remain relatively high (401 per 100,000 population), and are higher than the national average (306 per 100,000 population). Case rates are currently highest in those aged between 30 and 44 years old.
The government's 'Living with COVID' plan does not mean a return to pre-pandemic life just yet.
National and international COVID-19 death data
The following data has been published on deaths from COVID-19 in different settings:
Vivaldi Study letter
Please read this letter if you are participating in the national Vivaldi study on staff testing: Vivaldi study: staff testing letter.
 When you must still wear a face covering
It may not be compulsory any more, but the wearing of face coverings is still recommended in England and they are still required in some settings.
NHS services, including GP practices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, all still require you to wear face coverings before entering, unless you are exempt.
Wearing a face covering helps protect people from exposure to the coronavirus. Without a face covering, you might be asked to return later with one.
The Department for Transport has updated its guidance on safer travel for passengers.
The Department for Education has updated its guidance on the use of face coverings for schools, early years settings, out of school settings, and further and higher education settings.
Read more about when to where a face covering.
Capacity Tracker training sessions for home care and care home providers
There are a number of training sessions about the Capacity Tracker coming up in March. If you are new to the Capacity Tracker or want a refresher, please turn up.
If you would like more details, please contact the Capacity Tracker team.
Capacity Tracker - Deterioration Tool Survey
Care home providers are asked to complete the new Deterioration Tool Survey once during March. Responses will help provide greater understanding of what happens when residents experience an episode of acute physical deterioration. They will also identify where more help is needed and the type of free support required.
The Survey is located on the Manage Your Care Homes page in the Capacity Tracker (login required).
Help and further information on the Survey questions and background can be found within the Resource Centre's Survey folder.
For more information, please see these contact details on the PEN website or under Capacity Tracker ‘Help’.
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. You can view all of the previous meeting minutes in the online library.
The next care home locality forums:
- East - Tuesday 22 March from 10.00am to 11.00am
- South and West - Monday 21 March from 11.00am to 12.30pm
- North - Thursday 24 March from 3.00pm to 4.30pm
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 and West).
 The Independent Living Group is a UK wide membership organisation set up to support Individual Employers and their staff. Sign up and join the community.
Grey Matter Learning- eLearning platform for all social care providers
What is it? Grey Matter Learning is a eLearning platform with over a hundred different courses from the care certificate, safeguarding to epilepsy awareness.
How to access? All social care providers and personal assistants can access the eLearning platform. All providers can sign up for an account by completing the contact page, write in the message box that you would like to access the funded account from Devon County Council. The team will then be in touch with you to sign you up with an account. If you are a Personal Assistant and would like to access the eLearning platform send an email to the workforce team.
Want to learn more? Come along to the demonstration session to see how the Grey Matter Learning platform works and ask any questions. Complete the contact form that you would like an invitation for one of the sessions:
- Thursday 17 March from 10.00am untill 11.00am
- Friday 28 April from 2.00pm untill 3.00pm.
Nutrition and Hydration week: Monday 14 - Sunday 20 March
Nutrition and Hydration week is an annual event. Its purpose is to bring people together to create energy, focus and fun in order to highlight and educate people on the value of food and drink in maintaining health and wellbeing in health and social care.
Organisations from around the world and from all areas of health and social care take part, and new organisations are welcome to join in the fun.
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Blogwatch: Essential care givers and community spirit
Family, friends and external carers have been integral to care home residents’ wellbeing and safety throughout the pandemic.
In the latest in our series of blogs from Cygnet Healthcare, Laura Storey, registered manager at Outwood care home, explains why essential care givers, in tandem with family, friends and onsite care, make all the difference to residents' health, happiness and peace of mind.
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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