COVID-19 - News updates for all West Sussex Care Providers
23 April 2020
Dear Care and Support Providers,
Welcome to today's newsletter, which includes the following articles:
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Please continue to join us in applauding the crucial work of carers and other frontline social care staff during our weekly Clap for Our Carers campaign.
The campaign extends to social media platforms, so please use the West Sussex County Council Facebook and Twitter pages to say a huge ‘Thank you’ again to all the social care workers who are doing such a tremendous job across West Sussex.
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Please continue to let us know if there is anything else you would find helpful to include in the newsletters and we'll do our best to add them. Contact us at contracts@westsussex.gov.uk.
There are two sites in West Sussex for COVID-19 testing, one in Gatwick and one in Bognor Regis. Today we have included a simple guide to key worker COVID-19 testing in West Sussex - click on this link to view. Note at the time of this newsletter the County Council has been advised that there is good capacity for testing workers at the Bognor Reis Drive-Thru. All bookings must be accessed through the booking centre.
A care plan template for specialist learning disability services has been developed by the Community Learning Disability Team at Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust. They have shared it as it could be useful for community support providers of customers not in 24-hour settings.
The next round of Community Initiative Funding, which supports West Sussex community groups and organisations, is now open and has been extended to support groups carrying out Coronavirus-related community work.
In addition to the DHSC guidance on direct payments, please see this update from Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) about the extension of testing to personal assistants, launched yesterday. Including a letter of invitation to Personal assistants to register for testing and a DHSC powerpoint slide pack that explains the process.
This national guidance says: "Before stopping activity, providers should risk assess the impact on patient safety, business continuity and impact upon other parts of the health and social care system. Where activity is stopped, providers should record what is stopped and how; changes should be communicated clearly to patients, families and carers in line with their assessed communication needs."
Both organisations have jointly launched BSLHealthAccess which enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with Deaf people in health settings free of charge during the current Coronavirus situation.
Sign Health have also produced a number of signed videos on their website to enable Deaf BSL users to have up to date information about coronavirus and the government guidelines on social distancing etc.
A summary from Skills for Care of helpful links and resources includes:
- Updated Skills for Care Website
- Programme of support for Registered Managers
- Rapid Induction for new staff and training for existing staff
- Training for volunteers
- Return to Practice
- Safe and rapid recruitment guidance
- Dedicated webpage for Individual Employees and Personal Assistants
Dementia and activities during COVID-19
Supporting people who walk with purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic
Maintaining Activities for Older Adults during COVID19
Advocacy
Coronavirus, people’s voice and advocacy: a myth buster
Advocacy QPM have developed some Easy read information on Advocacy Support.
Housing LIN
Practice Briefing – Housing and Care in Specialist Housing (updated 16th April). This briefing sets out a number of practical things for providers of specialist housing to consider to reduce an outbreak of Covid-19.
Office of the Public Guardian
Guidance includes advice on being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak, on making and registering a lasting power of attorney (LPA) during the coronavirus outbreak, and short-term options for health, welfare and financial decisions
Other national guidance
Videos
With thanks again,
Contracts and Performance Team
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