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The Spring COVID-19 Booster Campaign ends soon, many thanks to all providers who’ve participated in this important initiative and achieved such a good take-up in Devon.
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.
COVID-19 Booster Campaign runs to 17 June
We are nearing the end of the Covid-19 spring booster campaign which started on 1 April and will end on 17 June 2025.
Care Home vaccination uptake is currently 71% of all eligible residents, the vaccination teams are undertaking mop up visits – you can contact the teams on the numbers below if you need a visit before the campaign ends.
Eligible cohorts
- adults aged 75 years and over
- all residents in care homes for older adults
This includes those who will turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025. They will be eligible for a vaccination at any point in the campaign. Those who are new residents in an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 17 June 2025 are also eligible.
Adults 75+ and those who are immunosuppressed and residing in supported living or Non-Older Adult Care Homes are eligible for the vaccination and will have been identified by the vaccination team. Where appropriate invitations will be sent or arrangements will be made for the individual/s to receive a vaccination via the PCN, Outreach Team or via their Local Mass Vaccination Centre Vaccinations National Booking Service - NHS England Digital
Please direct queries to: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net
- Eastern and Southern team : 07729 300349
- Northern Team : 07385 934988
- Western Team : 07729 300350
Further information relating to the Spring Booster Programme can be found here – Vaccine update: issue 356, March 2025 - GOV.UK
Reminder Please can care homes update the seasonal vaccination section of the capacity tracker once the vaccinations have been completed.
Latest Capacity Tracker Changes
Capacity Tracker changes took place on Wednesday 28 May 2025, as explained in the following extract taken from May 2025 monthly update.
System Refinements
Edit Provider Details
To improve accessibility, the link to edit the details of a provider from the 'Setup / Update' screen will be relocated. It is currently positioned next to the provider's name but will conveniently appear in a separate column titled 'Edit Provider Details'.
Provider Contacts
When details for a member of staff are added to the 'Contacts' section of the 'Edit Provider' screen and a telephone number is not included, this field will be automatically populated with the number for that provider.
An additional new checkbox feature will be available to control the visibility of a Registered Manager's details across the system. Providers should ensure that at least one contact is made visible as this enables Health and Social Care teams to reach out and discuss vacancies/capacity.
Capacity Tracker Data - CQC Refresh
A CQC refresh took place on Thursday 22 May. Providers expecting changes to be applied by the CQC (assessment ratings, services or regulated activity) should review their account following the update. If any anomalies are found, such as incorrect or missing new/transferred locations, please reach out directly to CQC for assistance.
Carers Week 2025 is taking place week between 9 and 15 June
Carers Week is a national, annual awareness campaign designed to recognise the vital work unpaid Carers deliver, and to highlight the challenges unpaid Carers face. The theme this year is “Caring About Equality”.
A Carer is anyone who provides unpaid care and support to someone who is unable to manage without help, which could be due to illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction or age-related challenges. The support provided by Carers is varied and can include personal care, practical help and emotional support.
In the Devon County Council area there are over 74,500 unpaid Carers, with almost half providing at least 20 hours of care per week, according to the 2021 Census. Around 30% of Carers in Devon provide care for more than 50 hours per week.
Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience, but it can also bring challenges – including a greater risk of social isolation, poverty and poorer mental and physical health.
Information and Advice for Carers
Information, advice, and support for Adult Carers of Adults is available through Devon Carers, which can be contacted via the Devon Carers website, by email info@devoncarers.org.uk or by contacting the Helpline on 03456 434 435.
For Young Carers, aged 4 to 18, information and support is available via the Devon Young Carers website, by email youngcarers@devoncarers.org.uk or by contacting the Helpline on 03456 434 435.
Support for Carers
As part of funding from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF), Devon has signed up to “CareFree Breaks”, which provides donated hotel stays for Carers to have a 1-2 night break from their caring role. More details on the scheme can be found here: Carefree Breaks - Devon Carers
Funding from the ‘ARF’ is also being used to launch a new digital “front door” for Carers in Devon, aimed at helping Carers to more easily access essential information and support.
Key focus areas for Devon County Council Commissioners in Adult Social Care include: Reducing social isolation, Improving the quality of Carers Assessments, Improving access to Replacement Care, and Improving the provision of information, advice and signposting.
Carers Week Activities
Devon Carers will be hosting a range of events and information stands across Devon throughout Carers Week.
This includes a Carer Friendly Conference for Professionals in Exminster on 10 June from 9:00am-12.30pm. Attendees can discover how their organisation can become more Carer Friendly and participate in a range of workshops. The Conference is free to attend but must be booked in advance :Book Carer Friendly Conference Tickets.
Other events include free entry and activities for Carers (with a Devon Carers ID card) and their cared-for on set days at National Trust properties, a Cream Tea & Jazz Afternoon and Peer Support Games & Music Nights. Full details of the times and locations of the events, and booking requirements, are available online: Devon Carers - Carers Week.
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Antibiotic Resistance and Care at Home Community Infection Management Service
As care providers will know, through the use of antimicrobial or antibiotic medicines over the years, some organisms have developed a resistance to usual treatments, meaning that there are fewer choices of medicine when infection occurs. Although these organisms often can be completely cleared from the body, they can also remain after infections are treated as ‘colonisation’. In hospital settings patients colonised with antibiotic resistant infections are often in single rooms and with additional personal protective equipment mainly to protect other vulnerable patients. However, in the home setting, different guidance is followed to support patients and providers encouraging a risk assessed approach acknowledging that patients are entitled to live and socialise freely in the community and that standard precautions give a high level of protection in most, although not all, situations.
The sorts of organisms you may be familiar with include:
- Meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase producing bacteria (ESBL)
- Glycopeptide resistant Enterobacteriacae (GRE)
- Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriacae (CPE)
- Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO)
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Clostridioides difficile (C.diff)
If you are providing domiciliary or home care or are approached about a new client needing support who you know has a history of carrying or having infection due to an antibiotic resistant organism, we would encourage you to contact the Community Infection Management Service for information about assessing risk and following evidence based practice:
Contact email addresses:
North: rduh.infectioncontrol-northern@nhs.net
East: rduh.infectioncontrol-eastern@nhs.net
South: tsdft.infectioncontrol@nhs.net
West: plh-tr.infectionmanagementadmin@nhs.net
RESTORE2 and RESTORE Mini Tool Education Sessions relaunched
The Community Education Assurance Team at Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is excited to announce the re-launch of their RESTORE2 and RESTORE Mini Tool education sessions. These sessions aim to provide valuable insights into how RESTORE2 can effectively support the escalation of care within various settings.
Learning Event Invitation
The team invites healthcare professionals and caregivers to join a learning event to discover the benefits of RESTORE2. This tool is designed to positively impact the escalation process for individuals in care settings. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about its application and effectiveness.
About RESTORE2
RESTORE2 is a nationally recognised tool for physical deterioration and escalation in care services. It utilises scoring to create a common language for escalating concerns to healthcare professionals. Additionally, the SBARD tool ensures that all necessary information is gathered to escalate concerns effectively.
Testimonials
One attendee shared their experience: "I attended a RESTORE2 session, and it gave me the confidence to promptly escalate a case of suspected sepsis. The client has since returned home to us."
For a brief overview of RESTORE2, please click on the provided YouTube link.
Please click on the corresponding links to attend the events
For further information contact us at rduh.CommunityEducationAssuranceTeam@nhs.net
This education is available to all Care Homes / Care Providers within North, East, Mid Devon & Exeter.
Good news story - Edenmore Nursing Home Steps Back to the 1940s
Edenmore Nursing Home in Ilfracombe recently celebrated VE Day in style with a lively 1940s themed party at the Ilfracombe Home. Held in one of the home’s dining rooms, the event welcomed all residents (referred to as family members) and their loved ones to drop in and enjoy the celebrations.
The morning was busy as the care team decorated the home, creating an atmosphere that transported everyone back to the 1940s. Meanwhile, the kitchen team was preparing traditional food and desserts, including homemade bread, spam sandwiches, scones, and a delicious high tea. In the afternoon, the music was switched to fit the 1940s theme, and the team donned their best costumes. There were even prizes for the best dressed male and female, which added a bit of extra fun to the celebrations!
As the day went on, the team, family members, and their guests fully embraced the themed atmosphere. Some family members were inspired to share stories from the past, reflecting on the importance of VE Day. The party also featured a female vocalist (drum roll, please...) performed by none other than DJ Jude! The war time music had everyone singing, dancing, and enjoying the energy of the day.
The 1940s themed party not only celebrated history but also provided a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, have fun, and make new memories in a caring and safe environment. Gayle Cooper, Manager of Edenmore, said: ‘We had so much fun commemorating this day with our family members and their guests, thank you to all who celebrated with us!’
Although Edenmore is home to people living with various types of Dementia, the team believes this should never stop anyone from living life to the fullest. With regularly planned activities and events like VE Day, the team strive to provide a high quality of life for their family members. This approach promotes dignity, respect, and empowerment, creating a culture of compassionate care.
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.
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