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August 2022 edition
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Welcome to the August edition of the Provider Forum information bulletin. We hope that you, your team, family and friends are continuing to keep safe and well during this pandemic.
In lieu of the Provider Forum, we will send out these bulletins regularly summarising updates from Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), as well as local and national initiatives.
Remember, the bulletin is interactive, so make sure you click the links to get the most out of it.
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Have you got something to share?
We would love to hear your feedback or contributions, so if you have anything which you want to share, or have a question to ask us, email us here.
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GUIDANCE
- Managing Outbreaks and Visitors
- An outbreak consists of 2, or more, positive (or clinically suspected) linked cases of COVID-19 that occur in the same setting within a 14-day period (staff and residents).
- If the manager suspects an outbreak, they should contact UKHSA by e-mail or phone: 0300 303 8162 / swhpt@phe.gov.uk
- UKHSA will advise you/ask you to fill out a form with all relevant details for our records.
- The setting should initiate Outbreak Testing Procedures.
- Most homes no longer need to close for visitors or for admission, however Homes should still encourage the use of PPE and testing wherever possible with visitors, and risk assess where appropriate.
Facemasks
- Face masks should be worn by all care workers and visiting staff, irrespective of whether the person being cared for is known or suspected to have COVID-19 or not.
- Visitors should also be encouraged to wear masks throughout their visit (unless outdoors), to test if they can and not to attend the home if they feel unwell.
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Testing
- ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING (Not in outbreak)
- Staff to test 2 x a week with LFT’s.
- Residents do not take part in any asymptomatic testing outside of an outbreak
- Residents and staff to test with LFT’s when showing symptoms.
- SINGLE POSITIVE CASE - If one or more positive cases (staff or resident) are found in a care home (or high-risk extra care and supported living setting)
- All staff should conduct daily rapid LFD testing every day that they are working, for 5 days.
- This is not extended if further positives are found within the 5 days
- OUTBREAK TESTING – During outbreak testing all staff and residents are required to engage in a testing timetable, and this is called Whole Home Testing.
- Whole home testing should be conducted on Day 1, Day 4 – 7 and if there are no further positive results, Outbreak Recovery Testing can be done on Day 10 of the outbreak.
- If a staff or resident has had Covid in the last 90 days they should not test using a PCR and should only use a LFD.
- CLOSE CONTACT - Staff who are identified as close contacts of someone with Covid 19 can continue as normal but should conduct 5 days of LFT’s.
- Admissions
- Admissions from the Community/other care service
- Undertake a PCR test 72 hrs prior to being admitted to Care Home
- Undertake a LFT Test the day they are admitted to the Care Home
- LFT test to be used instead of PCR if resident has had covid infection in the last 90 days.
- Risk Assessments should be done when possible to mitigate risk of admission during outbreak.
- Admissions from Hospital
- Undertake a PCR test 48 hrs prior to being admitted to Care home
- Undertake a LFT Test the day they are admitted to the Care Home
- LFT test to be used instead of PCR if resident has had covid infection in the last 90 days.
- Risk Assessments should be done when possible to mitigate risk of admission during outbreak.
Annual Health Checks
This suite of videos is for parents or people who care for someone with a learning disability, or someone with a learning disability, to increase their knowledge of annual health checks. Acting as guidance and information for people with a learning disability and their carers, to understand more about the process as well as increase knowledge and awareness. Everyone aged 14 and over with a learning disability should be on the GP Learning Disability Register and be invited in for an annual health check.
Click here to access the videos.
Oral Healthcare
Click here to access a video included in the above suite about oral healthcare for people with a learning disability for family and carers.
Importance of understanding and supporting people with Dysphagia (also known as difficult in swallowing)
A recent LeDeR review (Learning from Lives and Deaths of people with a learning disability and Autistic adults) has highlighted the need to share with care providers the importance of treatment and care of individuals with dysphagia (including what to do when someone is choking).
Actions the LeDeR Programme would like you to take:
- Please have a look at the information and guidance on this website click here, if you care for someone with Dysphagia in particular taking into account eating and drinking guidelines, behaviour, postural care, modifying the environment and medication as well as alternative feeding methods.
- Access the easy read document about Dysphagia and share with the people you care for with this condition – Click here
- Promoting dysphagia training amongst your staff team – Book via LearnPro or contact proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk Next dates are on 15th Sept 1.30pm -4.30pm and 13th December at 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Both events are via MS Teams
Importance of postural care management supporting good health outcomes (including pressure care management)
Another LeDeR Review has highlighted the need to share good practice in relation to postural care management and the preventative ways to look after people’s skin. Failure to provide good postural and pressure care management will lead to the person overtime adopting their preferred sitting and sleeping positions. Overtime, due to lack of movement and the effects of gravity their body shape will continue to deteriorate, resulting in health problems (e.g. breathing. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in people with postural care needs), pain, increased equipment needs and greater dependence on care.
Other physical health care problems associated with poor postural management incl.
- problems with the musculoskeletal system, such as hip dislocation, contractures, curvature of the spine and reduced movement
- difficulties in swallowing and risk of choking
- constipation
- pressure on internal organs
- recurrent pressure sores
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Actions the LeDeR Programme would like care providers to take:
- Please have a look at the information, guidance and resources on this website click here, especially if you care for someone who has unusual body shape and muscle tone with movement difficulties.
- Read and share the Skills for Care leaflet about Pressure Care Click here
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On 15 July 2022 the government published its Building the right support for people with a learning disability and autistic people action plan. The plan brings together into one document key elements from existing reports, recommendations and announcements from across government and public services aimed at improving care and support for people with a learning disability and people with autism. This briefing summarises the key points from the action plan, with a particular focus on the key commitments, and sets out NHS Provider's views.
Click here to see the plan.
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As part of the National LeDeR programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement are in the early stages of developing a national campaign specifically on constipation. In particular, constipation experienced by people with a learning disability. Please can we ask for your help to complete and share the below surveys with your networks and service users to help inform this campaign. The closing date for returns is the end of August 2022.
Constipation survey
Constipation survey – easy read
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Celebrating Advocacy and Coproduction for Autistic People and People with a Learning Disability in the South West
This online event will be hosted by Your Voice – the South West Self-Advocacy Network.
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Celebrate with us the coproduction that is happening across our region by people with a Learning Disability and Autistic people. Hear from different self-advocacy groups and user-led organisations across the South West of England as they tell you about their projects and the difference they have made.
Be inspired by a range of projects across health care, social care and the criminal justice system.
The event is open to:
- Health commissioners and leaders
- Local Authority commissioners and leaders
- Health providers
- Social care providers
- Community providers
- Criminal justice system partners
- Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
- Local Government Association (LGA)
- Association of Directors of Children Services (ADCS)
- Regional and national NHS England colleagues
Click here to book
You are cordially invited...
Following the troubles of the ongoing pandemic, we want to celebrate adult social care across Gloucestershire, instead of our annual Care Awards, we are hosting two Celebratory Evenings.
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Therefore, inviting you as a provider in Gloucestershire to one of these Celebratory Events. These events aim to shine a spotlight on the incredible adult social care workforce across Gloucestershire.
The black-tie events are being held on Thursday 8th September & Friday 16th September, both at Hatherley Manor Hotel & Spa, starting with a drink’s reception at 7.30pm. The evenings promise to be a chance for providers to network with their peers whilst enjoying the three-course meal, dancing and a few surprises thrown in for good measure! The best news... It is completely free to attend, (although your own non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks will need to be purchased).
Due to wanting to allow every care provider to take part, regardless of GCPA Membership, all providers will be given two tickets across their entire organisation. Unfortunately, the number of tickets available per provider is non-negotiable. You will need to register both members of staff attending along with their menu choices any dietary and/or access requests.
Registration opens at midday on Tuesday 2nd August. To register for one of the two events please click one of the links below (further details are available on the registration website):
Thursday 8th September 2022
Friday 16th September 2022
Please note that registration will close promptly at 5pm on 31st August 2022. All attendees must be registered, as you will not be granted entrance without registration.
If you have any queries, please do contact: Riki.moody@gcpa.co.uk
Following feedback at a Provider Forum and the previous Supported Living Provider meeting, we are holding another specific Supported Living Providers Meeting on Wednesday 23rd November 2022, starting with a free networking lunch at 12noon.
This FREE event is open to all Supported Living Providers operating in Gloucestershire, regardless of GCPA Membership status.
Meeting details:
Date: Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Venue: Gambier Parry Hall, Highnam Community Centre Trust
Address: Newent Road Highnam Gloucester
Postcode: GL2 8DG
Car Parking: Free on-site parking
Refreshments: Tea & Coffee available
Registration: Please register via Eventbrite, click here for the link
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GCPA Webinars & E-News Bulletin’s:
GCPA continue to host regular (currently fortnightly) webinars for its members and send out a weekly E-News Bulletin. These will be continuing as Members have requested to keep the current format of receiving local, regional, and national information on a regular basis.
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Over the next month on the webinars, we will be joined by a host of guest speakers, including, The Dementia Training & Education Team, Ageing Well Team, Proud to Care and others.
If you are not yet engaged and wish to become a member and get involved, please contact: Riki.moody@gcpa.co.uk
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A new document has been published on the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board website to help determine whether a formal safeguarding response under s42 of the Care Act is needed, or whether a general response to keep someone safe and to ensure their needs are met is more appropriate.
Click here to see the new document.
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Better Security, Better Care:
Free local support for care providers on data and cyber security.
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GCPA is helping local care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security.
As a care provider, you know how important it is to have access to good information about the people you support and your staff. To store and share that information safely, you need to be confident that your paper and digital records are secure.
GCPA have been awarded a grant to support local care providers on their data security journey as part of the national Better Security, Better Care programme
The programme will help you to evaluate and improve your data and cyber security. This means you can reassure the people you support and their families, your staff, commissioners, regulators, and health and care partners, that you are following good practice – and meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
Our main focus is to help you to understand the importance of data and cyber security, and complete an annual, online self-assessment using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
Our offer:
As a local support partner, we offer free support to help you to:
- reassure the people you support, their families and your staff that they can trust you with their data
- reduce the risk of suffering from cyber crime and data breaches
- carry out your annual self-assessment of your data and cyber security arrangements using the nationally-recognised Data and Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
- identify areas where you need to improve, and develop an improvement plan
- comply with data protection legislation and Care Quality Commission’s expectations on confidentiality and security
- access key services such as NHSmail and shared care records.
From April 2021 onwards, we will be providing a range of information and support including:
- Webinars
- Training
- Direct support to complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit
Who we can help:
As a local organisation, we know the local care market. So, our support is focused on Care Quality Commission registered care providers in Gloucestershire.
We can help care homes, home care providers, extra care housing and supported living services supporting adults of all ages.
We can also support large care groups if all or most of your services are in our local area.
If you are part of a large care provider group with services in multiple parts of the country, you are more likely to be supported through the national Better Security, Better Care programme provided by Digital Social Care.
Local coordination:
We know there are a lot of different data, digital and cyber security projects underway in the health and social care sectors. We are working with our local councils, CCGs, Integrated Care Systems and NHS partners and networks to ensure that the support we offer fits in the best way locally.
Contact us:
To find out more or request support please contact Dani: 07436 033514 or digital@gcpa.co.uk
You can access free information, guides and films about the DSPT on the Digital Social Care website, where you can also register for regular national updates
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