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November 2022 edition
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Welcome to the November edition of the Provider Forum information bulletin.
Alongside the Provider Forum, we will send out these bulletins regularly summarising updates from Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), 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.
Our Provider Forum Summary and Feedback Newsletter summarises the key talking points and presentations from guest speakers, allowing providers who were not able to join us to catch up on the information shared.
If you have any further questions about the topics discussed, please contact Jake Graham on jake.graham@gloucestershire.gov.uk. We look forward to seeing you at our next Provider Forum event.
Please click on the button below to read the newsletter from Quarter 3.
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Admissions from the community:
- The current government guidance states that care homes should ensure that anyone admitted to the home from the community has a COVID-19 PCR test within the 72 hours before they are admitted (unless there is evidence of recent infection, then they should take a lateral flow test).
- It is the responsibility of the care home to arrange this test.
- If an individual tests positive and continues to be admitted to the care home, they should be isolated on arrival and follow the guidance on care home residents who are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19
Urgent admissions from the community:
- For urgent admissions to a care home from the community, the care home should find out if the individual has been tested for COVID-19
- If a test has not been taken or was taken more than 72 hours before admission, the individual should be tested again with a lateral flow test by the care home
- If the test result is positive, the individual should isolate in the care home and follow the guidance on care home residents who are symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19
Discharge from hospital into a care home:
- The hospital will arrange a lateral flow test for all patients within 48 hours prior to discharge into a care home
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If testing positive for COVID-19 prior to discharge, the individual can still be admitted to the care home, if the home is satisfied that they can be cared for safely
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If testing positive for COVID-19, the individual should be isolated for a total period of 10 days from the day symptoms started or the day of the positive test if asymptomatic. This isolation period should include days in the hospital, so when entering a care home, they only need to isolate for the remainder of the 10 days since symptoms or positive test
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If testing negative for COVID-19 and the individual has no symptoms of COVID-19 and is being discharged to a care home from a location in the hospital where there was an active outbreak, they should be isolated for 10 days from the date of admission to the care home. Individuals who are isolating for this reason may take a lateral flow test on day 5 and end isolation if testing negative
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‘Previous COVID positives’ discharged from hospital will have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days. Although these patients may test positive with a PCR, they are not likely to have COVID or be infectious or a risk to other residents. However they will have an LFT prior to discharge in order that the appropriate mitigations and risk assessment can be put in place.
CARE HOME ADMISSIONS DURING AN OUTBREAK
During an outbreak in the care home:
- In the event of an outbreak in the care home, outbreak restrictions will be put in place. An outbreak is defined as 2 or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people in the same setting, with the onset of symptoms within 14 days
- Government guidance states that care homes may be able to accept admissions during an outbreak where this can be done safely.
- The care home should refer to the latest information on infection, prevention and control for guidance on best practice, as set out in the following supplement:
- The care home should carry out a risk assessment of both the individual and the care home setting, providing assurance that it is safe to proceed with the admission for all concerned
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RISK ASSESSMENT
A risk assessment should consider the following:
· What is the vaccination status of the individual, the care home staff and residents?
· How likely it is that the individual will be able to safely self-isolate, if required, on admission to the home? (consider individual risk factors such as wandering or confusion, and risk factors in the home such as ventilation and room layout)
· Could a delay in admission result in increased harm to the individual?
· Are you confident in the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by staff and adherence to infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures within the home?
· Is the outbreak being successfully contained?
· Is the home able to safely staff and support any new admissions?
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Decision on admissions
- The final decision on any admission rests with the care home manager
- The Care Home IPC team is available to support homes with undertaking the risk assessment and can be contacted for advice: ghn-tr.ipc.nurses@nhs.net
Please consider the following for the individuals you support:
Communicating with individuals - It is good practise that communication books and any other communication tools are accessible to individuals at all times at home, in the community, and when in hospital. This would include but is not limited to ensuring electronic devices are within reach and charged, and that communication books and key fobs remain with the individual or supporting staff as appropriate.
Communicating with health services during an emergency – In the event of an individual needing urgent medical attention, staff should be supported to have an understanding of how to present health deterioration information clearly to SWAST call handlers to help ensure the most appropriate course of action is taken. This includes using SBARD and RESTORE2. In additional, it is important that hospital passports are regularly reviewed to ensure they hold relevant information and give sufficient detail. The following supportive resources are available (not an exhaustive list)
- NHS guidance on support if you are going into hospital for people with Learning Disabilities. Click here to access the information.
- Editable version of the My Health Passport, click here to access
Restore2 Mini for care staff and families.
Restore2 Mini is a condensed version of the full Restore tool.
Ideal for introducing families, care and residential homes that are currently unable to measure vital signs to the concepts of soft signs and SBARD structured communication.
The NHS long term plan is clear that it wants local systems to take more action on prevention of unnecessary deaths and health inequalities, improve care quality and outcomes and ensure people with learning disabilities have the support they need to live happier, healthier and longer lives. This is to include increasing NHS understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism to improve their health and wellbeing.
Click the buttons below to access the "RESTORE2 Mini" and "Recognising the signs of deterioration in people with learning disabilities".
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Access to screening services – it is important individuals are accessing available screening services within a timely manner. The following supportive resources are available (not an exhaustive list)
- Guidance to support the health system to reduce inequalities in screening. Click here to access.
- Beyond Words – picture stories on cancer screening. Click here to access.
- Guidance for health and social care professionals and family members/carers, on reasonable adjustments before and during cancer screening – including an easy read version. Click here to access.
- Books Beyond words – The Trouble with Poo is a story book to make conversations about constipation easier. It describes how a healthy diet, drinking fluid and taking exercise are important and when to seek help. Available as paperback and e-book. Click here to access.
Please click on the button below to access information on specialist toothbrushes for people with poor dexterity, for people with sore mouths and for people with dysphasia.
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Since the introduction statement in June, GCC have been working alongside regional Local Authority (LA) and provider partners to progress plans to implement PAMMS (Provider Assessment and Market Management Solution), particularly the Quality Assurance (QA) module of the system. We are now in a position to start the trial phase of the project and are looking to seek a small number of local services who would be willing to volunteer and take part.
By way of introduction, the PAMMS software is a suite of modules (originally developed in conjunction with the East ADASS) that has been commissioned collectively by many of the LA’s in the South West region. PAMMS is maintained, developed and owned by The Access Group - click here for further information.
Over recent months work has taken place to coproduce a set of Quality Assessment Frameworks (QAFs) which will be adopted by all LA’s using PAMMS in the South West so to create a consistent approach to QA across the region. It is anticipated that the work of the Disabilities QA Team will transition to this new system (moving from our current system, Quality Compass) and utilise these new QAFs, but we want to engage further provider partners at this stage to ensure this proposed method of supporting QA is fit for purpose for all involved in Gloucestershire.
Being part of this trial will involve a visit to one of your services at a convenient time by a member of the Disabilities QA Team where they will complete an assessment, alongside you or your staff, using one of the new QAFs. The QAF will be made available to you beforehand and can be discussed with the Quality Officer so you are fully briefed on what to expect. You will be provided with guidance and support throughout the process, including how to navigate the software and share your feedback on the assessment itself, as well as an invitation to provide your feedback on this new format of QA. Joining in this work will provide you with the opportunity to influence and shape the QA programme in Gloucestershire and across the South West at this early stage.
The trial is planned to take place between November and February 2023 and we can schedule visits anytime during this period at times that suit your service(s). If you would like to take part or for further information and discussion, with absolutely no obligation, please contact Lara Gillman on Lara.Gillman@gloucestershire.gov.uk
The ‘Support Hub’ is split into five key areas - money, food, energy, warm spaces, and protecting health and wellbeing. It is currently based online, with hardcopy alternatives being made available very soon.
The county council is also launching its warm bank offer called ‘Warm and Welcome’. This will allow residents to access free warm and welcoming spaces within libraries. This will include:
- Warm places to relax
- Hot drinks
- Free access to internet and Wi-Fi
- Access to computers
- Charging points for devices
- Signposting to further advice and support
- Free activities such as homework help, knit and natter, and library clubs
- Everything else you’d expect at your local library
Any organisations with additional information for inclusion in the ‘Support Hub’ can e-mail communications@gloucestershire.gov.uk
For more info click here.
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Proud to Care Gloucestershire Team Update
Proud to Care workstreams have focused on supporting provider recruitment. The team has been engaging with countywide stakeholders to connect with potential care workers.
The Forest of Dean (FoD) targeted recruitment pilot was launched in October and will run until early January 23. This pilot includes the Proud to Care Forest of Dean - YouTube video and used in targeted social media promotion, media release, posters, leaflets, newspaper articles, and AdSmart (Sky TV advert due to run Nov-Jan targeting 7,000 FoD households). Click here to access the video.
Proud to Care is piloting a new locality jobs board with GlosJobs to increase vacancy promotion and local applications. This pilot will be extended countywide over the next few months. Click here to access the job board. If you have any roles vacant in the Forest of Dean and would like to get involved, please email the team at ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk
The team has attended 8 events this month to connect with potential care workers and build links with community stakeholders. During November the team will continue to attend events as well as utilise the NHS information bus.
Please contact the Proud to Care Team at ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you would like to be involved or to arrange a meeting to discuss how the team could support you.
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Raising the Profile of Neurological Conditions
There are many people across Gloucestershire who are affected by a neurological condition. In fact, there are over 600 types of neurological conditions and all these conditions impact upon the nerve system of the body. Some may be life limiting conditions whilst others may not be, but all will have an impact to some degree on the quality of life of the people effected.
Neurological conditions include Acquired Brain Injury, Stroke, Epilepsy, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Charcot Marie-Tooth disease, Huntington’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy to name a few.
GCC has a Neurology Sub-Group that provides a broad forum for agencies, voluntary groups and individuals who have experience of one of the many neurological conditions and the challenges of these conditions.
We want to expand the membership of the Neurology Sub-Group further to get a wider representation and input from as many different neurological conditions as possible. In this way we hope to offer a forum to share experiences and challenges and look wherever possible to offer support and solutions, work towards identifying the similarities and differences between the various neurological conditions so that good practice can be identified and shared as widely as possible.
If you would like to be a part of the group to have the opportunity to influence future neurology services, please contact disabilitiescommissioning@gloucestershire.gov.uk to become part of the wider network to support and develop positive outcomes for people with a neurological condition.
For more information about the Neurology Sub-Group please click the button below to access the leaflet.
 A bespoke minibus service, called The Robin, will start life by launching in two phases. The Robin is planned to launch in the southern area of the Forest of Dean on Monday 17 October with an area of the north Cotswolds to follow shortly after.
The Robin will provide on-demand services that will fill a gap where there is no bus provision, complementing existing services.
Residents can book affordable journeys via an app or over the phone. The service will provide a link from bus stops in hamlets or village centres to local transport hubs and train stations, making existing public transport services more accessible.
This is a creative pilot that is all the more timely given the issues with Stagecoach in the county.
For more info click here.
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Click here for the link to the latest publication from Mind, the mental health organisation.
As well as their training offer, there is info on National Stress Awareness Day, and advice on dealing with stress, and voices from the Black community.
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Gloucestershire Carers Hub would like to welcome you to join us to explore Carers Rights throughout the week of 21st - 25th November 2022
We will be celebrating Carers Rights over the course of a week this year.
Carers Rights Day 2022 will be held on Thursday 24th November 2022.
Many people are supporting someone, it could be a neighbour, family member or friend. Carers Rights Day can provide unpaid Carers with information and support on their rights.
On Thursday 24th November 2022 Gloucestershire Carers Hub are also hosting an event at:
Churchdown Community Association,
Parton Road,
Churchdown,
GL3 2JH
from 10.30am – 1.30pm.
This event will be an opportunity for unpaid Carers to come along and speak to a wide range of professionals from organisations from across the County.
Click on the button below for an information poster.
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Please find Gloucestershire Carers Hub Autumn newsletter. Click on the button below to access it. |
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Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership have finalised the details of more funded training, and you can now start booking your place(s).
Please note that these courses are FREE for those working/volunteering in public & VCS sector organisations in Gloucestershire who come across members of the public. Only those with a confirmed place can attend these courses.
The courses
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Let's Talk Suicide - Online Courses in November and December - Course 1 - 11th & 14th November 2022, Course 2 - 5th & 8th December 2022
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SP-EAK (Suicide Prevention - Explore, Ask, Keep-Safe) one-day online course 13th December 2022
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Attention Seekers? (Bespoke Self-Harm Awareness Training) - online training course 23rd January 2023
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PABBS (Postvention: Assisting those Bereaved By Suicide)* one-day in-person training course on 1st February 2023
*Please note that whilst Covid-19 restrictions are not currently in place, if infections start to rise Covid-19 safety measures may be in force, and these courses may be cancelled (at short notice).
Find out more and booking a place
Click here to visit the website for more information, including how to book your place.
More courses are being finalised, so keep visiting this webpage for the course details as they're confirmed.
If you have any queries regarding these courses, please contact us at suicideprevention@gloucestershire.gov.uk
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We are pleased to announce that Gloucestershire County Council’s Levelling Up Together Fund is now live and open to applications until Sunday 27th November 2022.
The Levelling Up Together grant scheme aims to support the ‘most deprived’ areas of Gloucestershire (according to the Index Multiple of Deprivation, 2019), as part of Gloucestershire County Council’s ambitions to ‘level up’ (in line with our 2022-26 Strategy: ‘Building Back Better’).
A wide range of community groups and organisations working in the following areas are eligible to apply:
- Podsmead (Gloucester)
- Tuffley (Gloucester)
- Barton & Tredworth (Gloucester)
- Matson & Robinswood (Gloucester)
- Moreland (Gloucester)
- Kingsholm & Wotton (Gloucester)
- Westgate (Gloucester)
- Mark's (Cheltenham)
- Paul's (Cheltenham)
- Cinderford (Forest of Dean)
Bids are invited from:
- Community or voluntary groups
- Registered Charities
- Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises
- Town and Parish Councils
- Sports groups and associations
- Schools and Academies
- Religious Groups where the application demonstrates that the project will bring wider community benefit and the primary purpose of the activity is not religious
- Non public sector organisations where the application demonstrates that the funding will benefit/’level up’ a Gloucestershire community
- Bids will be considered from local businesses or groups of businesses, to request support for initiatives that would otherwise be financially unachievable, providing they clearly demonstrate how they will evidence a contribution in kind, e.g., by match funding
Please click here to visit the Levelling Up webpages for more information.
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