Latest news

On Friday 8 September the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its latest update on the Covid-19 BA.2.86 variant.  We understand that the news of the new variant is concerning, so we wanted to give you and update and remind…

Free training for the whole care teams Virtual training by Fay, booked via Eventbrite using the link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adult-oral-health-tickets-699567985677?aff=oddtdtcreator Face to Face training for teams of more than 10 attendees per session, please contact Gayle at gayle.kime@nhs.net Training includes: What is…

This scheme provides financial support to families and dependents of eligible health and social care staff who sadly died from Covid-19 contracted while delivering frontline care during the pandemic. The scheme pays a tax-free lump sum of £60,000 to the…

Training Suicide Prevention Training Every Life Matters will now be delivering their programme of free online Suicide Prevention Training until March 2024. Further dates will continue to be added to the Eventbrite page (currently only July dates are available). The…

We were keen to share a detailed further update on progress to date relating to the use of a new system, PAMMS (Provider Assessment and Market Management Solutions) the Council and NHS Somerset has adopted to support quality and contractual…

We are aware that there are significant backlogs/wait lists for driving tests currently. We wanted to ensure that care providers are aware of that, as a critical worker, they are eligible for emergency driving tests – Emergency driving tests for critical…

Routine Covid-19 testing has ended for most staff and patients in England. Under the new measures, symptomatic and asymptomatic Covid-19 testing will no longer be available for staff and patients in health and care settings minus some exceptions. Testing will…

We are delighted to announce Age UK Somerset’s Ageing Well service is launching new exercise classes across the county. Our new classes include Flexercise which has recently started in Henton and Bridgwater, and is coming soon to Wells and Bruton.…

Optimal Handed Care are continuing to run their series of 3 day RoSPA Level 4 course in Advanced Moving & Handling – single handed care. This course offers a nationally recognised qualification which is a great opportunity for professional development…

From 1 April 2023, Somerset County Council and the 4 District Councils will be replaced by the new unitary Somerset Council. Somerset Council will be the same legal entity as Somerset County Council as the ‘Continuing Authority’. Therefore, all current…

Free Mental Health training for the Learning Disability Social Care workforce is available this spring. The hope is that this will help colleagues who support those with a lived experience of mental health, and also explore the different ways in…

The Dementia Wellbeing Service are doing a roadshow in Somerset starting in February. The new Somerset Dementia Wellbeing Service is a collaboration between dementia services who are working together to improve diagnosis, enhance support in the community, and provide an…

Train the Trainer—running a Simulation All sessions 9am to 4.30pm Curious about Simulation and how it can help improve efficiency, outcomes, and teamwork? Join us for a 1-day course where we will teach you the techniques of simulation and equip…

The current contracts for Homecare services in Somerset expires at the end of March 2024 and we have a commissioning plan underway to have a new contract in place from April 2024.  Is it considered that the current model and…

This week is Transgender Awareness Week, so we are sharing some resources about working with and supporting people who are transgender. Age UK: Transgender Information and Advice Transgender information and advice | Age UK Age UK: Safe To Be Me…

How can we improve social care in Somerset? Where should we be prioritising our spending? What are the challenges facing adult social care in Somerset? Please fill in this short survey to help us understand what’s important to you, and…

Skills For Care are delighted to announce that individual employer funding is now open. People who employ personal assistants using a social care direct payment from their local authority, a personal health budget from the NHS or their own money…

The Home Care Open Framework contract expires in March 2024 and we would like to invite you to a workshop to share your views on how we can work together to shape our homecare offer to the residents of Somerset.…

Next week (18 – 24 September) is Falls Prevention Week, a national health campaign to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention. We want to highlight a variety of resources and activities designed to prevent falls and improve strength, flexibility,…

Somerset County Council have secured a fixed amount of funding from the NHS Transformation Directorate Digitising Social Care Programme. We can offer a 50% contribution by way of a one-off grant payment to support adult social care CQC registered providers to…