This week’s issue contains more training opportunities which start imminently, so please make sure you take advantage of any that are relevant to you.

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.

Remember: DHSC Data Recording Window Deadline Midnight Tonight

Please remember that the deadline for completion of the latest Capacity Tracker return is midnight tonight, Thursday 14 September. Most Devon providers regularly complete submit their data on time and this is greatly appreciated across the system, but in order to have a full picture we are reminding anyone who has not done so that the deadline is today.

Important changes to the Autumn/Winter 2023/24 Vaccination Campaign

Following the announcement of the new Omicron BA 2.86 variant of COVID-19 it has been agreed to bring the vaccination programme forward, and to accelerate delivery of the programme to vaccinate eligible people sooner than previously announced.

Vaccination teams will now start to contact Care Homes to arrange visits and where possible will co-administer the Flu vaccine.

Vaccination teams will also offer vaccinations to Care Home staff but are unable to provide Flu vaccinations if their employer has an occupational health scheme.

Due to the very short timeframe to deliver vaccinations it may not always be possible to offer flexibility in when vaccinators are able to visit settings, therefore please can we ask that you work with the vaccination teams and accommodate requests wherever possible to visit your setting, it would also be beneficial to provide the teams with up-to-date patient list for ease.

Campaign Timings

• From 11 September 2023 – Priority to vaccinate Care Home residents and those who are housebound. The aim is to have this cohort complete by 22/10/2023.

For further information please refer to - Flu and Covid autumn vaccine programmes brought forward

Many thanks in advance for your continued support.

VST Poster.pdf

New Adult Social Care Network covering Devon, Somerset and Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly - reminder

September Locality Provider Forums reminder! Please see new date for South below

The next round of Operational Locality Forums for all care providers in a particular area will be taking place on:

East - 19 September, 2-3pm

West - 21 September, 1.30-2.30pm

North - 21 September, 3-4pm

New date for South is below:

South - 27 September, 10-11am

Invite links and agenda items have sent out. The theme for this round of forums will be preparing for winter pressures. 

This months Countywide Strategic Forum has been cancelled, now on 4 December

The next Countywide Strategic Forum will now be on 4 December 1-3pm and no longer on 25 September. We look forward to seeing you there, if you have any questions regarding this please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk and we will be happy to help. 

Are you looking to upskill your Health and Social Care workforce?

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, giving you the chance to elevate your existing staff with in-demand Health and Social Care skills. Our well-established Skills Bootcamps, part funded by the Department for Education, provide the support you need to invest in your team.

There are four part-time courses, provided by Petroc, that are recruiting now to start in September!

• Person Centred Care,
• Long-Term Conditions,
• Dementia and Cognitive Dysfunction,
• Working in Health and Social Care

The courses are designed to equip your employees with the latest knowledge and best practices in providing exceptional care.

Don’t miss your chance – find out about available courses here: Health and Care Bootcamps - Train 4 Tomorrow

Higher Development Award Level 3- Unlocking potential & being the best you can be

The Award provides experienced employees from all Health and Social Care settings with the opportunity to develop core knowledge, skills, behaviours and values required to progress and practice safely. You will have the opportunity to work alongside others within the sector, enhancing your understanding of how your role links to the multidisciplinary team, and meets the needs of your organisation and the wider sector. You will develop your Maths, English and Digital skills and participate in a Workplace Improvement Project. More information available on the Higher Development Award page.

South Devon College- Register your interest, start dates 11th September 2023, 30th October 2023 and 8th January 2024.

• Physiological Measurements
• Sepsis Awareness
• Advanced communication skills
• Mentoring and Coaching Skills
• Maintaining quality standards in Health and Social Care

City College Plymouth- Register your interest by completing this form, start date 25 September.

• Understanding Leadership
• Leading and Motivating a Team Effectively
• Developing Own Leadership Capability Using Action Learning

Understanding and developing relationships in the workplace

Higher Development Award Level 3 at South Devon College

The Award provides experienced employees from all Health and Social Care settings with the opportunity to develop core knowledge, skills, behaviours and values required to progress and practice safely. You will have the opportunity to work alongside others within the sector, enhancing your understanding of how your role links to the multidisciplinary team, and meets the needs of your organisation and the wider sector. You will develop your Maths, English and Digital skills and participate in a Workplace Improvement Project. More information available on the Higher Development Award page.

South Devon College- Register your interest by emailing: nataliecollins@southdevon.ac.uk, start dates 11th September 2023, 30th October 2023 and 8th January 2024.

• Physiological Measurements
• Sepsis Awareness
• Advanced communication skills
• Mentoring and Coaching Skills
• Maintaining quality standards in Health and Social Care

City College Plymouth- Register your interest by completing this form, start date 25 September.

• Understanding Leadership
• Leading and Motivating a Team Effectively
• Developing Own Leadership Capability Using Action Learning
• Understanding and developing relationships in the workplace

Proud to Care

Proud to Care is Devon County Council’s team dedicated to raising the profile of Adult Social Care, and supporting providers with recruiting, retaining, and training staff in the sector. We have several free-to-use tools to help with your recruitment activities, including:

• A self-service Jobs Board: Advertise and manage your vacancies quickly and efficiently.
• Social Media support: To increase the exposure of your vacancies

To find out more, please email Proud to Care.

A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office

YELLOW Heat-Health Alert - (Hot weather response) has been updated for the South West and is in effect until 12 September at 9am.

Advice and information from the UKHSA:

User guide for the impact-based Heat-Health Alerts system

UKHSA Action Cards

Heat-Health Alert Action card for the voluntary and community sector

Heat-Health Alert Action card for commissioners

Heat-Health Alert Action card for providers

Heat-Health Alert Action card for national government

Further Advice and guidance

UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health Plan and supporting evidence

Hot weather and Health: supporting vulnerable people

Find the latest weather forecasts and warnings

Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service

Flood Alerts and Warnings

‘Pinpoint’ – the Devon Community Directory

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

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

Issue 143, 14 September 2023

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

Introducing the new Eastern Training & Education Opportunities page

A page full of funded training in collaboration with the Eastern Care Services Team and others. Including Restore2, oral health, prevention & control of infections and more! Available for Registered Care Homes and Care Providers in Mid Devon, East Devon and Exeter.

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders

The Volunteer Responders programme – now named NHS and Care Volunteer Responders - is being expanded to support adult social care providers in England. You can now arrange volunteer support for recipients of social care, including domiciliary care and people living in care homes. The volunteer services on offer include:

• Check in and Chat – short-term telephone support consisting of friendly conversations to improve mental health and wellbeing.
• Pick up and deliver – transportation of medication to people’s homes from NHS sites.
• Community Response (coming soon) – help with activities including collecting and delivering food shopping and essential items and / or prescriptions and medications.

For more information, please visit the NHS Care Volunteer Responders website. 

Social media support for Adult Social Care vacancies

If you are a provider with vacancies you are struggling to fill, Proud to Care can help increase your job’s exposure through their social media accounts.

Once your advert is live on Proud to Care’s Jobs Board, not only can they can share your job advert through Proud to Care’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, but can also post in local Community Facebook Groups to reach potential applicants at a more local level.

To find out more and request social media support, please email Proud to Care.

DCC COVID-19 updates

Coronavirus advice to the public

PEN events calendar

Check the calendar for future events.

National COVID-19 guidance updates

The GOV.UK website

The NHS.UK website

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.

Get involved in Provider Engagement Network activities

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)

PEN newsletter archive

View previous issues

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.

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 is very important that we reach the correct person in your organisation to receive appropriate referrals and timely updates from DCC, and that you do not miss out on any opportunities. Please ensure we have your most recent email address.

NICE newsletters and alerts sign up

Keep up to date with the latest news and guidance that may impact on your service and clients via the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

Sign up to receive NICE newsletters here.

Remember that the Devon COVID 19 Vaccination Support Team are here to help!

If you have an enquiry regarding your COVID 19 Vaccination, please contact the Vaccination Support Team Email:d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net Telephone: 01752 398 836 Check your eligibility here.

Want to work for Yourself offering care and support? Community Catalyst can help!

Benefit from free professional advice to help you get set up!  

To find out more please contact Simon Tickner, Devon Community Catalyst by calling or texting 07741 260 674, or emailing simon.tickner@communitycatalysts.co.uk  

Agency Contact List online reminder

Dear Providers,  you can find the Agency Contact List on the PEN Website here  should you need to find additional staff.

Also please remember that COVID-19 Cases have been increasing recently so this is a timely reminder in case you require additional staffing.

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.

Affordable, Devon Based, Quality Assured Healthcare Training from Life Lessons

Are you looking for regulated, accredited, cost effective, quality Healthcare Training delivered by an experienced, knowledgeable and personable trainer? Training that your staff will engage with and enjoy?

Life Lessons Training offers over 35 different Healthcare courses including mandatory training, induction training and update training. We can come to you and do some in house training or you can come to us, the choice is yours!

Contact Rosie by leaving a message on 07543 678002 or emailing rosie@lifelessonstraining.com or visit www.lifelessonstraining.com

Self-Neglect Provider Training

Here is the full list of all the training offers with Grey Matter Learning and details on how providers can access below.  

A selection of eLearning that might be suitable for Self-Neglect:

• Mental health first aid
• Oral health care
• Sepsis Awareness
• Skin integrity and pressure ulcers
• Safeguarding (contains a section on self-neglect)

How to access Grey Matter Learning

To sign up for an account, all providers and personal assistants contact the Grey Matter Learning team. Select access training and then complete the contact us page that you would like an account under the Devon County Council funding. A member of the Grey Matter Learning team will then be in touch with you to set up an account.

National Norovirus data published

UK Health Security Agency has published the latest norovirus surveillance data.

There are a lot more cases of norovirus than usual for summer, with lab reports 70% higher than average.