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ASC Provider Briefing - 01 July 2022
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's briefing.
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This week, we have a reminder about Living with Covid, information about potential travel disruption next week, an update about the Capacity Tracker and information on the new integrated Community Equipment and Wheelchair Service, run by Medequip.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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Public Health Update
With the start of summer, we look forward to doing more of what we enjoy; travelling, taking holidays, attending events and spending more time outdoors. We all want to keep illness at bay so that we can carry on enjoying the longer days and better weather. There are some simple things we can all do to look after ourselves, family and friends.
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The best thing we can all do is make sure we are up to date with our vaccinations. These remain our best form of defence against the Covid and influenza viruses. It’s not too late to catch up if you’ve missed boosters or even first doses for the Covid vaccine.
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You can help stop many respiratory germs from spreading by letting fresh air in when you meet people indoors and by wearing a face covering in crowded places.
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If you do develop symptoms of a respiratory illness, here are a few simple actions you can take to keep others safe:
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- Wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose if you cough and sneeze.
- avoid close contact with others and stay at home if you can, or talk to your employer about your options.
- Avoid going to meet people at higher risk of becoming severely unwell if they catch a respiratory infection such as covid.
Recently, we’ve seen an increase in respiratory infection across the South West, and indeed here in Somerset - chances are you might know someone who has had Covid, flu or another respiratory infection in recent weeks. By choosing to take these actions and recognising when you are unwell, you can do your bit to help all those in our community.
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Throughout the summer, Covid vaccination appointments can be made by calling 119 or booking online. Alternatively, you can visit a walk-in vaccination site without an appointment – see https://bit.ly/CovidWalkInSomerset which shows which sites offer what types of dose, and to which groups
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Current rise in cases has not resulted in the use of mechanical ventilation beds in hospitals, see the Covid Dashboard which provides this information on page 3.
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Latest Covid-19 Outbreak update
(Friday 01 July 2022)
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Our 7 day rate per 100k this week has again increased, today being reported at 200.3 (for the period 18th to 24th June).
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Fuel Protests – Possible Travel Disruption
Some of you may be aware that Monday 4 July has been earmarked as a national day of protest around the price of fuel.
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The police have made us aware of several protests taking place in the Avon and Somerset area which could have an impact on traffic and travel times on Monday.
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The main protest is planned for the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge between England and Wales. However, there are also plans for a slow-rolling roadblock on the M5 between Bridgwater and Bristol, and protests at the Tesco filling station in Shepton Mallet.
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Although the details are still emerging and impacts unknown, there is the possibility of travel disruption in these areas and on alternative routes for much of the day. Staff, therefore, may wish to consider working from home on Monday if they can. If you do have to travel then please plan ahead and be aware of the potential for delays.
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The police will be providing live updates on Twitter. You can also follow @TravelSomerset for the latest on the roads.
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Are you truggling with bills? Support is available
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The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food, paying for energy and water bills and other essential household items such as beds and white goods.
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- Live in the County of Somerset
- Be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents/carers
- Not have sufficient money to pay for essentials
- Provide proof of your identity:
- Document showing your Somerset address and either proof of your benefits or proof of your income (the most recent, last month’s, bank statement)
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For more information, including how to apply, see here: bit.ly/SCCSupport22
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If you don’t have any support and need help to apply please phone Somerset County Council on 0300 123 2224. Somerset County Council will help you find an organisation who will help you make an application.
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We ask that you share this resource widely with your networks.
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Capacity Tracker - What's new
On 4th of July from 3 to 5pm the Capacity Tracker will be unavailable as changes take place.
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Costs, Vacancies & Business Continuity (Daily)
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- 'PPE' section - This will change to a simple Yes/No question with the dropdown menu being removed
- IPC Funding (Weekly)Visiting - The total number of questions is being reduced with a number being removed and some being merged
- Staff Testing - All questions will be removed
New organisations called Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) will begin operating on 1st July. To reflect this, you can now search for them in the Tracker. While CCGs will cease to exist, their former footprint can still be searched as a ‘Sub ICB' location
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Training dates announced for newly integrated Community Equipment and Wheelchair Service
Following a competitive tender process, Medequip have been awarded a five-year contract to provide an Integrated Community Equipment and Wheelchair Service for adults, children, and young people in Somerset. This new service will commence as of the 1st of August 2022, with progress already being made towards having everything in place for harmonious hand over from the current provider. Medequip will be working in partnership with AJM who will manage the Wheelchair and Ceiling Track Services.
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Millbrook will continue to be the equipment provider until 31st of July 2022. Prescribers will be able to order Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services (CEWS) from the new Medequip ordering platform TCES Community from 1st of August 2022.
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In advance of the launch of the service on 1st of August, training sessions on the new provider’s system are being made available. The new ordering system will allow you to use one portal to place orders for both wheelchairs and community equipment. This will make referrals and access to equipment easier and quicker.
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There are 2 types of training -
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- Training for Prescriber ‘Operational Champions’ – Virtual training sessions via Microsoft Teams for Prescribers will take place between 19th – 22nd July and take up to 2 hours to complete. Your line manager will be contacted shortly and asked to put forward a small number of operational champions from your team to take the training.
- Online training – all other users set up on for ordering equipment will be required to take mandatory elearning training when they first log on to the system. This will be made available prior to the 1st of August; Prescribers will be individually notified via email nearer the time.
IMPORTANT: you will not be able to access the new system or prescribe after 31st of July unless you have successfully completed your training.
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You will be supported in the transition to the new ordering platform and there will also be a period of support provided post go-live.
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TCES Community includes an online training platform, which will provide additional training resources and ‘how to’ guides.
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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.
- Looking After People's Oral Health; A Training Session for Health & Social Care Professionals, Tuesday 5th July, 9.30am to 12.30pm. View the meeting agenda here, and Sign Up Here
- Application of the Mental Capacity Act for 16 and 17 Year Olds, Tuesday 11th October 2022, 9am to 1.30pm. See the flyer, and book your place here.
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Updated Guidance
- No new guidance this week
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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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