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Please remember to get COVID-19 boosters and flu vaccinations in time for the winter period, using the links in the item in this week’s newsletter.
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.
Staff COVID-19 Boosters and Flu Vaccinations update
The importance of vaccinations
With winter just around the corner, and the expected rise in flu cases this year on top of the usual health and social care pressures, it’s vital that people working in frontline roles come forward for their flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at the earliest opportunity, to protect themselves and those they care for.
The sector is facing a busy winter with a severe flu season predicted and COVID-19 case numbers starting to rise again, so it is more important than ever that health and social care workers stay fit and healthy and protect themselves from illness. COVID-19 and flu can be unpredictable but vaccination provides you with the best protection.
Flu vaccines are matched as closely as possible to the strains that are circulating so it is important to have your flu vaccine every year and at the start of the autumn before flu is more widely spread. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is continually evolving in order to evade the immunity provided by vaccines. The autumn booster (a new bivalent vaccine) represents the next step in the development of vaccines to combat the virus, with its ability to lead to a broader immune response than the original vaccine.
COVID-19 boosters
We fully recommend staff book their appointments for their Autumn COVID-19 Boosters online via the following link to avoid queuing and management inline with working patterns - Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
However we are also able to offered fast track walk-in appointment for Frontline Health and Social Care workers at the following sites ONLY when they are open for appointments. Please be aware when sites are busy there may be times when walk-ins are closed or paused to ensure management of clinics safely, therefore would encourage staff to book appointments online using the link above: It is also worth noting that the vaccination centres busiest between 11am to 2pm.
- Greendale - Exeter
- Tesco Extra – Barnstaple
- Homepark - Plymouth
Winter Flu jabs
Flu vaccinations can be accessed through a range of local pharmacies - Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine - NHS - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Lateral Flow Test use
In line with the Government announcement on 24 August 2022, regular asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 was paused in all care settings from 31st August.
To clarify the information provided in last month’s PEN newsletter, LFD tests are not available to providers to support with asymptomatic testing, however, they can be ordered to support cluster and outbreak management testing.
Care Homes Equipment Policy Task and Finish Group invitation
Following the Countywide Care Homes Forum discussion of Community Equipment (CES) and Technology Enabled Care and Support (TECS) Provision on 29 September, a Task and Finish Group is being convened to review the current care homes equipment policy. The group will meet for 4 one-hour session on Teams, after which we’ll present a summary report to the Care Homes Board.
The aim will be to review the current policy and set out any recommendations suggested for a future policy. The group will include practitioners, commissioners, and providers.
We’d be grateful to hear from any care home providers that are interested in being part of this group, and in particular, any of those that can make any of the following sessions:
- Thursday 3 November 2-3pm
- Thursday 17 November 2-3pm
- Thursday 1 December 2-3pm
- Thursday 15 December 2-3pm
If you are interested in getting involved with the group, please register your interest by contacting Amanda Wells.
Devon PA and Micro-provider Annual Survey 2022
DCCs Market Management Team would like to hear from PAs and Microproviders to capture the range and volume of support currently being delivered, and explore:
- What works well for you as a provider
- How we can help you improve your service offer
- How we can better support the PA and micro-provider community
Please complete the survey before midnight on the 20 October.
Devon County Care Home Forum (Tuesday 18 October 2-3pm)
Please join us for the next County Care Home Forum meeting on Tuesday 18 October, 2-3pm. An open invitation to all care homes within the Devon County Council footprint to regularly meet with Devon’s Market Management Team, CCG, commissioners and other professionals to share information on key topics of interest and concern, hear about and get involved in care home commissioning work and find out more about other key national and local care home priorities.
October’s meeting will be themed around Workforce, Training & Development, we are working with DCHC (Devon Care Home Collaborative) to finalise the agenda which includes, Jess Piper (Associate Director of Education & Workforce Development – Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust) providing an overview of the ISB Learning and Education Strategic Framework and an update from DCHC on their involvement with Skills for Care work.
To join the meeting click on this link and we look forward to seeing you all there.
Future meeting dates to be confirmed soon and shared in the PEN newsletter and PEN website.
‘Get Set to Tender’ support for Devon providers
Get Set to Tender is a free support programme for Devon SMEs (small, medium employers) to help them become public sector contract ready, supporting providers with all levels of experience.
Workshops will are available to cover:
- An introduction to procurement and tendering, aimed at organisations who have yet to take advantage of the opportunities that exist. Introductory workshops will explore how to access public sector opportunities.
- Intermediate support is aimed at organisations who have some experience in tendering for public sector contracts.
- Writing tender responses - aimed at all organisations who want to secure public sector opportunities.
One to one support will also be available. To access support SMEs can enrol here Get Set to Tender
The programmes is open until March 2023.
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.
Employee Assistance Programme
The Confidential Care CiC is now offering Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to all Devon’s adult social care providers, including personal assistants. It is a free and confidential support and counselling service available 24/7 throughout the year.
More information about the programme are available online to share and promote.
Whether you are after practical advice or emotional support with work or personal issues, CiC can offer expert guidance.
You can access the EAP by calling them on 0800 085 1376 or via email.
Make sure you get involved!
There are a variety of ways for you to engage with us. These include regular emails, newsletters, webinars and engagement meetings.
PEN participation - Provider Engagement Network (devon.gov.uk)
Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Has your support helped transform someone’s life? Have you got innovative practice to share? Send us your celebratory photos and words and we will help share good practice.
Revisit previous good news stories
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