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Please remember that the Covid-19 Spring Booster Campaign commences next Tuesday, on 1 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.
Important Update for Care Home Providers: Extended Engagement Period - Older Persons’ (65+) Care Homes Fee Model and 2025 Fees Uplift
Firstly, thank you to those providers who have already provided feedback to our current engagement process for the older person fee model and uplift award for 2025/26. This is a reminder that the engagement period has been extended until Sunday 30th March and there is still time to respond.
Having reviewed the feedback so far, the council has heard providers concerns with regards to the backdate of inflation due to costs changing in April. The council is considering that inflation will be bought forward to support immediate challenges and will be back dated to 31st March 2025 (not 7th April as per the engagement report).
Some providers have flagged further analysis may also be helpful to support the final fee setting under a new Older Persons contract. This is currently being considered and may impact the proposed June commencement.
We welcome your thoughts on our initial considerations as per the usual engagement feedback mechanisms, either via the Online Feedback Form or socialcarebusinessrelationsmailbox@devon.gov.uk with the subject line: Care Home OP Fee Model and Fees Uplift Engagement 2025/26.
Please visit the PEN website for all the engagement documents including the FAQs and Q&As from the webinar with Valuing Care on 11th March.
The council’s final decision will be communicated via the PEN newsletter and direct email to care home providers.
Care Homes opportunity to participate in Plymouth University Nutrition Research trial
Plymouth University are setting up an exciting 4 year ‘REFRESH’ research trial looking at the cost -ffectiveness of nutritional supplements and fortified food in care homes, The aim is to improve the quality of life of care home residents, including 30 care homes in Devon.
This is a groundbreaking study seeking to improve the quality of life of care home residents and inform national practice.
Care homes will receive free training and support for staff, and free resources and reimbursement for participation
More details about the REFRESH study are available on (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/penctu/refresh-trial) where there’s a link to an Expression of Interest form that care homes can fill out if they’d like to participate.
Covid-19 Spring Booster starts next week!
The 2025 Covid-19 Spring Booster Campaign will be launched on the 1 April 2025
Eligible cohorts include:
- Adults aged 75 years and over (This includes those who will turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025)
- Residents in a care home for older adults (Those who are new residents in an older adult care home by 17 June 2025)
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
NHS Vaccination teams will contact care homes in the coming weeks to arrange vaccination visits.
Please direct queries to: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net
Eastern and Southern team : 07729 300349
Northern Team : 07385 934988
Western Team : 07729 300350
Microprovider project self-employment opportunities
The Microprovider project aims to support individuals wanting to support local people via their own self-employed care and support services. Those we support are committed to ensuring that their services are always reliable, legal, high quality, professional, safe but, most of all, personalised and built on strong, trustworthy relationships.
To find out more about the project, the free support and how to set up (or just improve) your own microprovider service, use the website enquiry form PA/Microproviders - Disability Focus to get in touch with Simon Tickner (Project Worker) or drop him an email simon.tickner@disabilityfocus.org to arrange a time for a chat.
Good news story - Exmoor Zoo Brings the Wild to Edenmore Nursing Home
Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe recently invited Exmoor Zoo in to visit their residents, bringing an incredible array of animals in as part of their educational roadshow.
Portia, the zoo’s educational officer, introduced a Royal Python, Meerkat, Stick Insect, Giant Snail, and Praying Mantis! The visit encouraged conversation, curiosity, and reminiscence among family members, many of whom have a lifelong love of animals.
The presence of animals in the home provides more than just entertainment, it offers comfort, sensory engagement, and opportunities for connection. For those living with a Dementia, engaging with animals can be particularly calming, helping to spark memories and meaningful moments.
For more about Exmoor Zoo and their educational outreach, visit: Exmoor Zoo on Facebook. For more about life at Edenmore Nursing Home, visit: www.edenmorenursinghome.com/
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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