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This week’s issue contains links to the updated national guidance on Infection Prevention and Control for Acute Respiratory Infection which came into effect from the start of this month and the Covid-19 Spring Booster Campaign which will be launched on 15 April.
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.
Guidance Update: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)
The following national guidance has been changed Infection prevention and control (IPC) in adult social care: acute respiratory infection (ARI) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The key points of note are:
- This guidance has been updated in line with changes to testing policy from 1 April 2024.
- Routine COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) testing of asymptomatic individuals prior to discharge from hospital into care homes is no longer required. Testing may still be undertaken, based on local risk assessment by the hospital together with the care home, for example during outbreaks.
- The ordering portal for accessing LFD test kits for outbreak testing has now closed. During a suspected outbreak of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), settings can access multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests through their local Health Protection Team (HPT) to help identify the infection responsible.
- Guidance on visiting has been updated to reflect the new Care Quality Commission (CQC) fundamental standard on visiting and accompanying in health and care settings (Regulation 9A) which requires, among other things, that care home residents must be facilitated to receive visits, and not discouraged from taking visits out of the care home.
- Information on ordering free PPE has been removed to reflect the scheme to provide free PPE for COVID-19 needs coming to an end on 31 March 2024. Providers should ensure that they have arrangements in place to access and order PPE for staff to use in line with guidance recommendations. Please refer to the PPE Transition web page for further details.
As the testing in general is stopping; hospitals will continue to test if patients/residents are in an outbreak area and that standard management for symptomatic patients will apply.
Covid-19 Spring Booster Programme launch on 15 April
The 2024 Covid-19 Spring Booster will be launched on 15 April 2024 for residents in care homes for older adults. Primary Care Network (PCN) groupings and other commissioned COVID-19 vaccination sites will have started planning visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound individuals. Care homes will be contacted soon to arrange visits if not already booked. For all other eligible cohorts, vaccinations should start by 22 April 2024 with the vaccination campaign due to end on 30 June 2024.
Eligible cohorts
Adults 75+ and those who are immunosuppressed residing in supported living or Non-Older Adult Care Homes are eligible for the vaccination and will have been identified by the vaccination team. Arrangements will have been made for the individual/s to receive a vaccination via the PCN, Outreach Team or via their Local Mass Vaccination Centre.
Further information
Email: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net Telephone:: 07729 300349 Website: A guide to the spring 2024 COVID-19 vaccination campaign - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reminder: Please can care homes update the seasonal vaccination section of the Capacity Tracker once the vaccinations have been completed.
Devon Care Homes Collaborative free Data Security Toolkit support including film
The Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) helps adult social care providers in England to check and improve how they keep people's information safe. It is the official self-assessment tool for the care sector and is widely recognised by CQC, local authorities and the NHS.
Please take a moment to watch the short animation.
The DSPT for social care is specifically designed for adult care providers and is nationally recognised as the official tool to evaluate compliance with legal requirements, data security standards and good practice.
If you have services funded by the NHS, for example under continuing healthcare, there is a contractual requirement to complete the DSPT every year.
No matter where you are on your DSPT journey, Devon Care Homes Collaborative can offer you FREE support. This can be at our webinars, via telephone, the helpdesk or we are happy to offer you 1-2-1 sessions, we can talk you through each section of the process at your pace and at a time to suit your needs.
We cover Devon, Torbay and Plymouth and have recently extended additional support to Cornwall in association with Cornwall Partners in Care.
For further information
Visit the DCHC website: Home | Devon Care Homes Collaborative
Or get in touch with sara.small@devoncarehomes.org, Tel - 07834 634074 or Carla.selway@devoncarehomes.org, Tel - 06496 441584.
Exploitation: ‘Spot the Signs’ booklet
This week, Devon and Cornwall Police are actively involved in raising the profile of exploitation linked to the care sector and have drawn our attention to the national ‘Spot the Signs’ of exploitation booklet and guidance.
Spot the Signs booklet - Indicators of exploitation - GLAA
Affordable, Devon-based, Quality Assured Healthcare Training from Life Lessons
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
Good News Story - Step One Services Limited 30th Birthday
Step One Services Limited will be celebrating their 30th Birthday on the 4 April. They are still run by the same family offering family values with-in our support and have a Day Centre in the heart of Newton Abbot and offer Enabling and Domically Care throughout Teignbridge.
They have also won an award from Global Health & Pharma Social Care Awards 2024, Best Family Run Specialist Care Company Devon 2024
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
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.
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