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ASC Provider briefing - 22 April 2022
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing; we hope you were able to enjoy the Easter period and also take advantage of some of the lovely weather we had last weekend.
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This week's briefing includes a raft of information, including important consultation opportunities in relation to Fair Cost of Home Care, and changes to the MCA Code of Practice and implementation of the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. It also details latest social care guidance updates and events, and encourages nominations for the Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards. Don't forget the next webinar with Mel Lock (Director of Adult Social Care) is coming up on 3rd May (3-4pm) - we'd love the opportunity to engage more directly with you all via this option.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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Latest Covid-19 Outbreak update
(Friday 22 April 2022)
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We have seen a further reduction in our 7 day rate per 100k this week, today being reported at 347.7 (for the period 12th to 18th April). Whilst care setting outbreaks are steadily reducing across out county, there are currently 108 being monitored across Somerset, 33 (30.5%) of which have been within last 10 days.
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System Pressure
With health and care services remaining under considerable pressure in Somerset, you will likely have seen various public-facing communications asking our local communities and services for their ongoing support in helping to reduce any extra demands during this busy time wherever possible and practical. With more public holidays approaching, it is a timely opportunity to review and consider our collective contingency plans (eg, ensuring people have enough of their repeat prescriptions to last over bank holiday weekends and ordering these in time to avoid running out, or ensuring sufficient staffing cover/back up plans to manage peak periods of demand).
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We have been asking the public for their support in assisting family members or loved ones to leave hospital when they are medically fit to do so to enable others to be admitted who require care and attention, and continue to appreciate any further support local Care Homes can offer us in providing timely assessments / decisions for new placements, or home care services can offer in responding to our unmet needs list at this busy time. Together, we can help ease the pressure and ensure services are there for the people who need them most.
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Webinar re-watch: COVID-19 changes for care homes
Recent weeks have seen the updating of guidance for care homes and other care settings as part of the broader Living with COVID-19 plans announced recently by the Government.
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In this webinar, hosted by Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England, she and other colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care discuss changes to testing, infection prevention and control (IPC) and answer care colleagues' questions and concerns.
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Testing guidance update
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care services guidance was updated on 19 April.
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The update clarifies the guidance regarding ‘symptomatic’ staff, to make it clear that if staff have one or more of the new longer list of symptoms AND feel too unwell to work or have a high temp they should isolate for 48 hours and test.
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It specifically states "Staff with respiratory symptoms who feel well enough to work and do not have a temperature, do not need to take a symptomatic test and can continue working."
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The guidance update also clarifies ordering tests and returning tests in case of an outbreak etc. It is also noted that as from this weekend, 23rd April, there will no longer be any weekend or bank holiday collections for priority post box returns, meaning any outbreak testing will need to be done on normal working weekdays only.
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Transforming Social Care: all your questions answered in one place
Do have a look at the DHSC's Transforming Social Care site - a one stop shop for anyone keen to learn more about the future of social care in England.
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The Government has a long-term vision putting people and families at the heart of services. It is a vision promoting independence and community living, as well as providing more support for the adult social care workforce.
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CQC Survey on Local Authority assurance
The Care Quality Commission CQC are expecting new responsibilities related to Local Authority assurance through the Health and Care Bill from April 2023. The CQC want your feedback on what you think they should consider when they gather evidence and data on local authorities, how they can connect with local people to inform their evidence and what are the key pieces of evidence they should be collecting. Project: CQC and system oversight (citizenlab.co)
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Nine new COVID-19 symptoms added
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The list of COVID-19 symptoms has been expanded to include nine new signs, now taking the total to 12. The original symptoms include a fever, new continuous cough and loss of sense of smell or taste. The new 9 symptoms include a headache, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, aching body, feeling tired or exhausted, diarrhoea and feeling or being sick.
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Consultation: Changes to the MCA Code of Practice and Implementation of the LPS
The Government is now consulting on the proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Code of Practice, which includes guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. One of the documents being consulted upon is a draft Workforce and Training Strategy. Large parts of this relate to statutory roles with the NHS, LAs and advocacy services but there is some useful information about the planned roll out of training materials across the health and care sectors.
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This consultation is also seeking views on the LPS regulations, which will underpin the new system. This is a joint consultation published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The LPS will apply to people over the age of 16, and the Department for Education (DfE) has been involved in the development of this new system.
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Fair Cost of Home Care Consultation
Further to the meeting on 7th April that some of you attended and subsequent information sent to all, please see below details of sessions that are being run for providers by the developers of the Cost of Care Toolkit.
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The self-funder market is likely to be severely impacted by the extended means test thresholds so it is really important that we get a good understanding of the fair cost of care in Somerset and your engagement in this would be really helpful. The below session should help make the tool a bit easier to use.
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If you have any queries on this or anything else please do not hesitate to get in contact.
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Home Care Cost of Care Toolkit Demonstration and Q+A for Home Care Providers.
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The Care and Health Improvement Programme are running 3 webinars where the developer of the Home Care Cost of Care Toolkit, ARCC, will talk through how the tool works. These sessions are 90 mins, split evenly between ARCC demonstrating the Home Care Cost of Care Toolkit and how it should be completed and then taking general Q&A queries. This sessions are for a care provider audience only and are free for all to attend. The sessions are repeats of each other so individuals only need to attend one. Please click the links below to register for the session, then select Book Now at the top of the Event Page. When registering, please select non-member organisation and enter your details as requested. Please do check your junk mail inboxes for sign up confirmations and if there are any issues with registering, do email Marketsandcommissioning@local.gov.uk
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Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards
The awards recognise accomplishments at all levels of leadership and from across the whole of the social care sector; including services for older people, people with learning disabilities and/or autism and children, young people and families.
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There are a variety of categories available for nomination that represents all areas of the workforce – all with the common thread of elevating the role of leadership, innovation and responsibility in women.
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The Awards will take place on 24th November 2022, at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London
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By nominating a member of staff or a colleague, you will be supporting their talent, innovation, excellence and commitment whilst also helping to raise the profile of professional women leaders in social care.
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Closing date for nominations is 16 September 2022
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Upcoming Event Reminders
- Weekly meeting: Every Friday at 3pm the Health Protection Team host a meeting to answer any questions care providers have about updated Covid guidance. Teams meeting link.
- DHSC Webinar on Infection Prevention and Control: Resource for Adult Social Care, 29th April 10:15am to 11:15am. Book on Eventbrite.
- Provider Webinar and Q&A with Mel Lock, 3rd May 3pm to 4pm. Webinars.
- Skills for Care Registered Manager webinar: New Managers - what resources and support is available, 18th May, 10:00am to 10:45am. Register on Zoom.
- Somerset End of Life Care Conference, 19th-20th May, The Canalside Conference Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 6LQ. Details on website.
- PPE 'Out and About' event, 27th May, Bristol Marriot City Centre, BS1 3AD. PPE ‘Out and About’ Event
- Skills for Care: Have your say: Inform the future of learning and development in adult social care, various dates. Specific dates and more information here.
- Infection Prevention Society’s Care Home Special Interest Group Event, 8th June, 9.30am to 3pm, Clay Cross, Derbyshere. Book on Eventbrite.
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Updated Guidance
- See above for details regarding Testing Guidance update.
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Please continue to share or promote these briefings and our webpage to others in your organisations.
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Our incident room mailbox and contact details (see below) remains operational during core working hours so please get in touch if you have any urgent concerns or queries we can look to assist you with.
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Somerset’s Provider Engagement Team
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Adult Social Care (ASC) COVID19 Response Team
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