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This is our first issue back in 2023, we are wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!
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.
Quick Guide to managing COVID-19 in a care home setting from UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA)
The UKHSA have just issued the updated their quick guide to managing COVID-19 in a care home setting.
Quick Guide to COVID-19 for Care Providers.docx
Preparing for Winter: Health and Social Care Briefing note & pamphlet
Energy Networks Association have put together; Health and Social Care Professionals Briefing Note 20 December 2022 and a Be Winter Ready Pamphlet to give power cut and business continuity advice for professionals in the health and social care sector.
Egress email issue
Due to a change in the system we use to send secure emails (called Egress), please ensure you are accessing DCC emails from the email address it was sent to. This will ensure you will be able to read our communications without having to request and wait for access to be approved.
As an explanation, external recipients of secure email will need to use an Egress user account that matches the receiving email address to access the message. E.g. Where a secure message is sent to abc@gmail.com, the username of the Egress account used to read the message must also be abc@gmail.com. This requirement already applies to messages that are sent using the ‘OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE’ classifier.
If a recipient attempts to sign in using a non-matching Egress username (for example, where a message has been forwarded by the initial recipient), a message will be displayed that they do not have access to the email. The person attempting to read the message will have the option to send an access request to the sender of the message. As a sender of secure email, you may receive requests to approve access to messages if this occurs.
This change is across all DCC emails and therefore includes the Providers Referral emails from the Arranging Support Teams. If you would like to update the email address we hold for you regarding where referral should be sent, to avoid having to request access please email - procurementpeople-mailbox@devon.gov.uk so your contract info can be updated.
Please be aware that emails you receive from DCC that contain personal or confidential information may be sent using Devon County Council's secure email system, Egress Switch. These emails will require you to set up a password with Egress in order to access the information. If you have problems working with Egress, you can contact their recipient support service on 0844 8000172 and select option 1, alternatively you can email them at support@egress.com. For more information about Devon County Council's use of the Egress system you can visit their website at www.devon.gov.uk/egress.
Use of Face Masks in Care Settings
The recently updated national guidance (Mask and outbreak guidance updated in care settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) states that care workers and visitors to care homes do not routinely need to wear a face mask at all times in care settings or when providing care in people’s own homes. However, the guidance states that there remain a number of circumstances where it is recommended that care workers and visitors to care settings wear masks to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. These are:
- if the person being cared for is known or suspected to have COVID-19 (recommended Type IIR fluid-repellent surgical mask)
- if the member of staff is a household or overnight contact of someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19
- if the care setting is in an outbreak – see section on outbreak management for further information
If a care recipient is particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from COVID-19 (for example, potentially eligible for COVID-19 therapeutics ) mask wearing may be considered on an individual basis in accordance with their preferences. Mask wearing may also be considered when an event or gathering is assessed as having a particularly high risk of transmission.
Given that we are currently seeing increasing cases of not only COVID-19, but other acute respiratory infections, you may want to revisit your risk assessments around mask wearing and also to ensure that you are continuing with infection prevention and control measures. The full PPE guidance can be viewed via the guidance link above. We would also encourage anyone who is not yet vaccinated to take up the opportunity of their flu and covid vaccines as these offer the best protection against severe illness.
Enhanced Health in Care Homes Reconditioning Initiative for North Devon
Many care homes have received their funding for the EHCH Reconditioning Initiative. Many of you have been able to purchase equipment and access new opportunities to increase activity in your residents. Just a reminder, the final deadline for applying for funding is Tuesday 31 January 2023. If you need support, please email liv.sanford@nhs.net. Don't forget, all CQC registered care homes are eligible for funding, so don't miss out on this excellent opportunity to support your residents to lead more active lives. Best wishes, Dr Fiona Duncan (GP and Project Lead for EHCH Reconditioning Initiative North Devon)"
Devon Recruitment Day at Exeter University - reminder!
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust are recruiting locally for General Nurses, Mental Health Practitioners and Pharmacy Technicians amongst other roles within Forensics & Offender Healthcare Services.
Monday 23rd January 2023
This is a unique opportunity for you to meet their healthcare teams from HMP Channings Wood, HMP Dartmore & HMP Exeter, to hear about what they do and the current opportunities they have to offer.
During the day there will be holding interviews for posts as well as answering any questions.
Entrance is free, just go to the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Facebook event page and click going to come along!
Talks and interviews will be running throughout the day from 10am - 4pm in the Woodbridge Dining Hall within Reed Hall, a stunning grade II listed building, set amongst Exeter University grounds regularly described as ‘one of the most beautiful campuses in England’.
Independent Living Centre (ILC) Continence & Managing Toilet Needs webinar
The ILC are offering a Supporting Continence & Managing Toilet Needs webinar on Thursday 19 January 2023.
Please see flyer for more information.
Are you struggling with the cost of living? Reminder!
There's some useful advice on our website for residents and businesses in Devon who are struggling to afford to pay for their energy, water, food or other essential items. It includes information about support for low-income families via the Household Support Fund, such as free school meal holiday vouchers, the holiday activities and food programme and 'Fuel, Food and More' grants.
There's also help for those using pre-payment meters, and who are struggling to meet their energy needs, via Citizens Advice Devon.
The Warm Spaces website has a map of places in the community that are free to go and be comfortable and warm with no judgement. They include places such community centres, churches and libraries.
If you can't afford the food you need, you can contact one of Devon's foodbanks listed on our PinPoint website. There are a number of supermarkets, cafés and restaurants offering free or £1 meals for children during the school holidays.
RESTORE2 mini E-Learning now live in South Devon
All care homes are able to access the E-learning course Restore 2 mini via the HIVE
Course: RESTORE2 - Mini Course eLearning (torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk)
Please contact Annette Halstead with your Full Name, Role and email address to obtain a user login unless you already have this in place.
‘Pinpoint’ – the Devon Community Directory entires
PinPoint is Devon's community directory, used by the public, GP’s, health sector, DCC staff in order to find suitable services and support in their local area. Please can providers ensure you have your company/ service details registered on here and ensure the information is always up to date. It is populated by providers through setting up an account. If you need help or see any errors please email pinpoint@devon.gov.uk
Digitising Social Care Survey - reminder!
Complete the Digitising Social Care (DiSC) National Programme Survey
Could the people you care for and your teams benefit from introducing digital technologies into your organisation? Providers have said this has created more time to care, reduced admin, improved trust and communication, inside and outside of the organisation.
Please complete this CQC registered care provider survey here. Your response will be used to shape the support and funding provider offering. If you are unable to complete the survey online, we can also arrange to take your response by phone. You can request this by emailing collaborativecare@deltservices.co.uk
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.
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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