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ASC Provider Briefing - 16 September 2022
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Dear Care Provider Colleagues,
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Welcome to this week's extra long briefing.
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This week in the briefing: Falls Prevention Week, Autumn Vaccination Programmes, information about the Books of Condolences and the National Moment of Reflection for Her Majesty the Queen, an update from the launch of the Learning Engagement Meetings, an opportunity for funding from Digital Social Care, information about our next recruitment campaign, #JustACarer, an invitation to the opening of the Somerset Independent Living Centre, and much more!
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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Falls prevention week
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Next week (18 - 24 September) is Falls Prevention Week, a national health campaign to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention.
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We want to highlight a variety of resources and activities designed to prevent falls and improve strength, flexibility, balance, and reaction times.
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Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP):
Public Health:
Age UK Somerset:
Age UK Somerset will be covering top tips on a different topic of falls prevention every day next week on social media. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram
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They have also released information cards with tips on how to reduce the risk of falling.
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Flexercise is a chair-based exercise session which uses fun props to get people moving in a relaxed, informal way. We are searching for people who have a passion for improving the health of older people and would like to become volunteers to lead Flexercise sessions in Somerset - and we are offering full training.
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With more exercise classes returning post-lockdown and the Ageing Well service expanding to give more older people the opportunity to be more active, so we need more volunteers to help deliver classes. Our mission is to help people ‘Live Longer Better’.
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The training is free to future volunteers and, once trained, volunteers will lead their own sessions close to their local area. No previous experience is necessary but a background in leading or talking to groups is advantageous. Find out more here.
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The next training sessions are being held in Somerton on Wednesday 21st September 2022, Bridgwater on Wednesday 19th October 2022 and Wells on Wednesday 9th November 2022.
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As well as potential volunteers, the Flexercise workshops are also open to carers from nursing and residential homes, helpers in day care centres, and, officers or ‘active’ residents from sheltered homes, at a small charge.
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Autumn Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
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In line with the publicised JCVI guidance the Autumn vaccination programme began on the 5th September. The eligibility of this group has been identified as people aged 50 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over in clinical risk groups, front-line health and social care staff, those who care for vulnerable individuals and families of individuals with weakened immune systems.
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- Across Somerset, during the week commencing the 5th September, the vaccination focus has been on delivering to people in Care Homes and the house bound.
- From Wednesday 7th September appointments have been opened up on the National Booking Service and on 119 for anyone aged 75 or over and any staff in a Health or Social Care Setting (i.e. a front line worker/patient facing or a paid or unpaid carer). The appointments will be available to be taken from Monday 12th Health and Social Care staff must self-declare when booking their appointment. They will not be required to bring along evidence of this to the appointment.
- Under 75s will be invited along for their vaccination as soon as the NHS is able to do so.
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All eligible people are strongly encouraged to accept the vaccination that is offered as soon as they are able – it is important to be up to date with the booster and build up protection against severe illness before the winter.
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NHS Somerset would like to find out what most matters to you when it comes to flu.
This winter, we will experience our first flu season since 2019. As a result, we will have less immunity than previous flu seasons. Preparations for the potential impact of this on Somerset’s population’s health and well-being, centre on vaccinations for both flu and Covid-19. Our focus is on targeting those who are most at risk; for example older people, those working with children, those working with vulnerable groups and those with long term conditions.
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We would like to find out what most matters to you when it comes to flu.
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Please send us a short quote telling us why you have chosen to have your flu vaccination and which part of Somerset you are based in. We would like to use your quotes in our social media campaign to raise awareness of the importance of getting the flu jab, to encourage others to take up their vaccination.
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Her Majesty The Queen
A National Moment of Reflection is being held at 8pm on Sunday 18 September.
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Across the UK, people who want to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen are encouraged to mark the occasion in their homes, on their doorsteps and with neighbours in their local communities by observing a one minute silence.
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There are Books of Condolences across the county for anything wishing to submit a tribute. They are available at all Somerset Libraries and at council offices. In Taunton, at Deane House and County Hall, in Williton at West Somerset House, in Mendip at Shape Mendip, in Sedgemoor at Bridgwater House, and in South Somerset at the Customer Connect Office. All Books of Condolence will be closed at the end of the day on Tuesday, the day after the funeral. Physical books will then be archived at Somerset Heritage Centre.
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For those who are not able to submit in person, South Somerset District Council are accepting tributes via post. Please send these to The Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil, BA20 2HT.
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Buckingham Palace also has an official Book of Condolence for people to leave tributes online.
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Launch of the Learning and Engagement Meetings (LEMS)
I would like to extend my thanks the guest speakers, care providers, and the health and social care colleagues who attended the launch of the learning and engagement meeting on Tuesday 6th September. Dr Anna Baverstock spoke about kindness (presentation slides) which was greatly received not only by myself but the audience. The second guest speaker was Lucy Champion who provided a presentation on the IPC Team service plan for the next few years. The IPC team will be attending bi-monthly to provide service updates starting from November’s LEM.
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The next LEM will be held on 4th October 2-4pm. Guest Speakers are
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- Amy Giles who will present on Advance Care Planning.
- Louise Balson (Clinical Lead from SWAST) talking about Falls and providing an Ambulance update
- Dr Lucy Pollock will provide a service update for the ‘hospital at home service’
- Sarah Higgins (Discharge pathway manager) and Natalie Mogg from The Discharge Team from Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) present on hospital pathways and then open up the floor for further discussion. May take more than one or two discussions to cover the different elements raised around discharges, so watch this space….
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It really was lovely to see so many faces and I look forward to seeing them again, with some new ones along the way too.
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- Rachel Caunce, Care Provider Support Officer/Lead
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Register your interest in Digital Social Care Funding
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Somerset County Council have secured a fixed amount of funding from the NHS Transformation Directorate Digitising Social Care Programme.
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We can offer a 50% contribution by way of a one-off grant payment to support adult social care CQC registered providers to adopt a Digital Social Care Record (DSCR), from the NHS assured suppliers list
We can also contribute towards buying and setting up Falls Prevention technology.
The project will contribute to the continued development of the evidence base for digital social care records and falls prevention, evaluate the impact and share the benefits across our Integrated Care System footprint. If you are partially or fully digitised already you may still be able to apply for funding.
If you would like to express further interest and receive details about the project please complete this form.
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Thank you – The Digital Social Care team
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#JustACarer?
We are preparing for a recruitment campaign this autumn to tackle the staffing challenges we know many of you are facing.
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We are proposing a bold, provocative campaign centred around the hashtag #JustACarer? which will challenge social perceptions of care and highlight the diverse and fulfilling work you do on a day-to-day basis. You aren’t 'just' carers, and caring isn't 'just' a job - we know how important your work really is, how dedicated you are, and we want to show the general public the value of what you do and wide range of what caring entails. It's not just cups of tea and personal care!
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We are in the early stages of planning and procuring this and we want your suggestions and input to developing a strong campaign which will make people sit up and take notice. We're also looking for real care sector staff to feature in the campaign, so please get in touch with us if you are interested in this. It's a great opportunity to show off what you do, and the enormous social value of your work.
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Latest Covid-19 Outbreak update
(Friday 16 September 2022)
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We are seeing reduced numbers of positive Covid cases and fewer outbreaks in care settings. We are still experiencing high levels of system pressure.
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Evaluation of Covid-19 LFD Test Kits in Care Home Outbreaks
Further to the piece in the 19th August Provider Briefing (Web Version here: Provider Briefing - 19 August 2022 (somersetprovidernetwork.org.uk)), there is now a guidance sheet for any homes interested in participating in this study. The testing will be carried out as normal, just with the specific test kits that have been provided by the study.
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Care homes that may be better suited to participating in the evaluation include:
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- ones which are particularly well organised in their Covid testing and who may be more likely to use the kits in the way we require
- homes that have approximately 50 to 100 residents and staff (though if slightly smaller that is fine)
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Somerset Diverse Communities
In this first issue, SDC introduces us to local groups, events, training, and funding opportunities.
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Independent Living Centre Opening
Somerset Adult Social Care in partnership with Mendip District Council will be opening a new independent Living Centre in Shepton Mallet on Tuesday 27 September 2022. Our new Somerset Independent Living Centres (SILC) have a range of equipment and technology to help people stay independent, both in the home, and also when out and about. https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/equipment-to-help-you/
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We would like to invite you to visit the SILC to meet the staff team and to view the service on the 27 or 28 September 2022 before its opens to the public. You will be a key partner in helping us promote the service across the County, encouraging people to attend to help them live well at home for longer. The SILC is located in the Shape Mendip Campus at Mendip District Council, Shepton Mallet, to enable easy access for members of the public who visit.
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You will have the opportunity to learn about the service, talk to the team and view the equipment and technology which will be available. You will be a key partner in helping us promote the service across the County, encouraging people to attend to help them live well at home for longer. It is an Occupational Therapy led service that is free for people to attend.
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Appointments are made by booking an appointment through Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224.
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We are asking people to book in for their visit to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn about the service, talk to the team and view the equipment and technology which will be available. If you have also received an invitation to the opening event, you can choose the event you would prefer to attend.
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To book your attendance please complete this form Shepton SILC Booking Form or click the link in the attached poster. Please feel free to share this poster with colleagues who would also benefit from visiting the SILC. We have attached details regarding car parking on the day.
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Events
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WEBINAR – Best Practice in Dining for People Living with Dementia
This year's World Alzheimer's Day is coming up, so QCS have partnered with apetito to bring you a FREE Webinar and Q&A on 'Best Practice in Dining for People Living with Dementia'
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This webinar is an opportunity for you to clearly understand the best practices for Dementia Friendly Dining.
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The discussion will cover:
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- How dementia friendly dining positively impacts the wellbeing and health of those living with dementia
- Enabling independence as much as possible when dining
- Creating the optimum environment when dining for people living with dementia
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Last chance to sign up:
Workforce Planning Workshops
Do you want to understand more about social care workforce planning? A good workforce plan will help your organisation be more successful and ensure you have the right people with the right skills at the right time to meet the needs and future opportunities for your business and the local population.
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Skills for Care is working in partnership with Somerset County Council to deliver a free to attend learning and development opportunity for care provider employers across Somerset to engage them in workforce planning and workforce re-design.
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This will consist of two face-to-face half days sessions that will describe what workforce planning is, national and local drivers, how to affect change and workforce transformation, as well as provide a number of practical resources.
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This will be followed by a virtual follow-up session to share ideas, learning, any challenges and hear from others.
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After attending the course, delegates will be able to:
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- Define what is workforce planning
- Explain why it is important
- Demonstrate how find relevant data and summarise using templates
- Interpret data, local and national drivers to establish priorities to create a workforce plan
The workshops are targeted primarily at those with a responsibility for workforce transformation and re-design from any size of organisation, for example senior managers/owners, nominated individuals, registered managers, HR leads.
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These workshops will take place in two cohorts. The first cohort has already begun, so only cohort two is available for sign up now.
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Wednesday 28 September 2022 and Tuesday 04 October 2022
10:00 – 13:00 (09:30 registration)
The Albemarle Centre, Taunton
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Both cohorts – virtual session
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Thursday 17 November 2022
10:00 – 12:00
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Upcoming Event Reminders
- Care Provider Learning and Engagement Meeting, 4th October 2022, 2pm to 4pm.
- 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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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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