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This first newsletter of 2025 reminds you about the pressure Devon’ hospitals are currently under and how you can help, along with a reminder of the NHS 111 healthcare professional line and sources of support for Norovirus outbreaks.
On a lighter note, it was great to receive 2 Good News Stories and it’s in that spirit that we wish you all a Happy 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.
Hospital System – Social Care Providers
All four acute hospitals within Devon are experiencing extreme demand, this is in turn impacting on Ambulance and other emergency services within the county.
NHS Devon and Devon County Council are therefore asking all providers to support the system during this challenging period.
How can you help?
- Care Homes to update Capacity Tracker with all bed vacancies to support with hospital discharge
- Care Homes to seek medical support from patients GPs and/or telephoning 111 prior to conveying people to hospital
- All providers to support with clients returning to their home from hospital once advised of discharge (same day)
Thank you very much for your continued support.
Getting Medical NHS advice from 111 as a Health Care Professional
A reminder to Care settings that when calling NHS 111 line for medical advice Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111 Health care professionals have a dedicated option.
When calling 111, you will automatically be asked to press 9, this will follow 4 options (below) for healthcare professionals press 3.
If calling regarding physical health press 1
If calling regrading mental health press 2
If you are a health care professional press 3
If you are calling regarding palliative care or end or life press 4.
Norovirus Outbreaks this Winter: advice, regulations and poster
The 2024/2025 Winter season has seen a high level of norovirus activity, which began earlier than usual. This is expected to result in increased outbreaks in care homes this winter. A letter from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines the implications and recommendations for care homes. This includes information on infection and prevention control (IPC), reporting outbreaks to Health Protection Teams, supporting resident health and wellbeing and guidance for supported living settings.
There is also a poster which can be printed out to display information on norovirus, its symptoms, how to prevent its spread and advice on recovery.
Visiting
Please remember that outbreaks should not automatically stop visiting completely. Consideration should be given to reducing visitors and ensuring that appropriate mitigations are in place to prevent transmission, including risk assessment by the care setting based on the guidance and regulations below:
Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Regulation 9A, ‘Visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals and hospices’, published on the Care Quality Commission website at: Regulations for service providers and managers: related guidance - Care Quality Commission
Good News Story: Beaver Scouts, and Penguin Pals at Sundial Care Home
Sundial Care Home located near Sidmouth, Devon, recently welcomed the Tipton St John Beaver Scouts into their home for an evening of intergenerational Christmas card and craft making.
The Beavers and Sundial’s residents joined forces to create personalised Christmas cards for each other. Each card featured handprints traced on green paper, arranged to form Christmas trees, then hand-decorated: “I thought having both hands on the card would be a nice reminder of the adults and children coming together” said Nikki, Head of Beaver Scouts.
In addition to the cards, the group worked on a Christmas paper chain, with everybody writing their name and decorating a link, symbolizing the unity and connection between the two generations. They also crafted tree decorations using cookie cutters, clay, and beads, with family members hanging theirs on the home’s tree while the children proudly took theirs home. The night concluded with the beavers and family members coming together with a song of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The presence of the children and their enthusiasm created a lively atmosphere that uplifted spirits and showcased the power of connection, creativity, and shared experiences across generations.
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Sundial Care Home Supports Local Business “Penguin Pals”
Sundial Care Home were also delighted to receive their Christmas cards from Penguin Pals, a startup local initiative based in Ottery St Mary and inspired by the well-known Angel Project in North America, by sending hand written Christmas cards to the wider, and Devon community.
“I've been sending Christmas cards through the angel card project for last 2 or 3 years and I always wanted to do my own UK version” said creator of Penguin Pals, Megan Romaine. “I came up with the name Penguin Pals because they live in colonies, so they aren't alone, and they are associated with Christmas.”
Megan’s inspiration to send cards to Sundial Care Home came from a personal connection, as her Grandma once lived there. Megan shared, “I remember visiting when I was young, the atmosphere of the place was good and it was a nice building with lovely grounds and gardens, my grandma was happy there.”
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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