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ASC Provider Briefing - 07 October 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 in the briefing: a reminder about Winter Infections, information about the Communication Workers Strike, clarification on absences for the Capacity Tracker, a report about arts and culture in Care Homes, information about the Data Security Protection Toolkit, as well as an invitation to Somerset's Winter Readiness Training and a webinar for community nurses working with diabetes and frailty.
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Please find the latest news and updates from Adult Social Care below:
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Winter Infections
This winter, we will all have less immunity to flu and are therefore more likely to catch flu because it has not been in general circulation since 2019. The flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, countries like Australia, can often predict the potential for a similar experience in Northern Hemisphere countries. This year, Australia's flu season started earlier and infected more people than previous years.
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Getting the flu vaccination can prevent us from spreading flu to each other, protecting those who are vulnerable and reducing the burden on the NHS and other health and care services. Additionally it will help us stay well.
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Covid rates are also increasing and expected to increase further over the winter. Please follow careful IPC procedures, such as isolating those who are symptomatic, to reduce spread. The poster below explains how to deal with a potential Covid or flu outbreak.
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Latest Covid-19 Outbreak update
(Friday 07 October 2022)
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Although for many the pandemic has passed, we are seeing increased cases across Somerset. Coupled with the flu we will need all of you to continue your focus on infection prevention and control and to continue to work with us to reduce the opportunities for disease transmission. We are still experiencing high levels of system pressure.
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Communication Workers Strike
The Communications Workers Union has called four days of industrial action which will see BT and Openreach workers on strike on the following days:
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- Thursday 6 October
- Monday 10 October
- Thursday 20 October
- Monday 24 October
The strike also includes BT 999 operates, with the Local Resilience Forum on stand-by to deal with any possible consequences.
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During the strike period, if there were any problems with phone lines or internet services at individual locations or bigger geographical areas, there may be delays in resolving any problems and it could take longer than usual.
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We encourage providers to familiarise themselves with their alternative plans in the event of network outages which could be implemented at short notice
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We know that individuals with a careline are classed as Vulnerable so that would mean that they are prioritised.
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We do not believe this will impact 999 operations, but would ask providers to be aware and consider alternative plans where this is required.
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Reminder: We're launching a bold social care campaign, and we want YOU to get involved!
We have some very exciting news - as part of our next Proud to Care campaign, we'll be working with a top marketing firm to develop a bold campaign which challenges social perceptions around care.
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But we need your help! We want to hear the stories of your careers in care, the satisfaction you get from your role, and the diverse work you carry out. We’d also love to come out and take photos or videos of you working and talking about your work for our campaign.
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We are currently planning this and would love your involvement, whether that’s suggestions and ideas or being featured in the campaign, so please get in touch at proudtocare@somerset.gov.uk!
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Capacity Tracker Changes
We reached out to the Capacity Tracker for clarity regarding this question: ‘How much Absence have you recorded, please enter hours or days’
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For the purpose of this question absence includes sickness or any other short notice factor that prevented an employee working on a day that they were scheduled to (emergency medical or emergency compassionate leave etc.).
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It does not include any prior arranged absences such as annual leave or maternity leave.
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Report: A Creative Care Home - A Systems Approach to Personalised Creativity and Culture
The Baring Foundation has published a report which sets out how a systems approach – involving both the arts and social care sectors – could help make access to arts and culture more widely available in care homes.
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Data Security Protection Toolkit
Better Security, Better Care has partnered with RCPA in helping local care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. This is a national and local support programme designed to support you.
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As a care provider, you know how important it is to keep people’s information safe, and to protect your business from the risk of a data breach or cyber attack. The Data Security Protection Toolkit covers both paper and digital records to reassure everyone you work with that you are taking data security seriously.
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What is the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT)?
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The DSPT is an online self-assessment tool, that you complete and publish annually. The toolkit guides you through your legal and contractual requirements regarding the Data Protection act 2018 and GDPR.
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All CQC registered care providers should complete the DSPT at least once a year. Publishing the DSPT will allow you access to other services and opportunities. For example, you must have completed the DSPT if you deliver services under an NHS contract; use shared health and care records; or use NHSmail.
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RCPA is your local support hub for completing the DSPT working alongside Better Security, Better Care who offer national support.
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RCPA have dedicated support solely for the attention of assisting care providers in working through the DSPT. RCPA offers to all care providers one on one support to answer anything related to the DSPT or data security.
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Better Security, Better Care has partnered with RCPA in helping local care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. This is a national and local support programme designed to support you.
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As a care provider, you know how important it is to keep people’s information safe, and to protect your business from the risk of a data breach or cyber attack. The Data Security Protection Toolkit covers both paper and digital records to reassure everyone you work with that you are taking data security seriously.
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What is the Data Security Protection Toolkit (DSPT)?
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The DSPT is an online self-assessment tool, that you complete and publish annually. The toolkit guides you through your legal and contractual requirements regarding the Data Protection act 2018 and GDPR.
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All CQC registered care providers should complete the DSPT at least once a year. Publishing the DSPT will allow you access to other services and opportunities. For example, you must have completed the DSPT if you deliver services under an NHS contract; use shared health and care records; or use NHSmail.
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RCPA is your local support hub for completing the DSPT working alongside Better Security, Better Care who offer national support.
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RCPA have dedicated support solely for the attention of assisting care providers in working through the DSPT. RCPA offers to all care providers one on one support to answer anything related to the DSPT or data security.
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Events
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Webinar for Community Nurses and Queens Nurses working with people with diabetes and frailty in the community
Would you like to learn more about how to manage frailty for people with diabetes who are receiving Community Nursing Care?
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You are invited to attend this free online Webinar on 19th October 2022 - 18:00 – 19:30pm
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Where key speakers who are Queens Nurses will present new approaches, ideas and insight. So you go away better equipped to help work within your local communities
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Somerset Winter Readiness Briefing
Support your local communities to stay well and cope with rising living costs this winter. This online event on Thursday 10 November between 11am and 12.30pm will give you an overview of who is more vulnerable in winter and how to signpost to the range of support available in Somerset.
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👉 Keeping warm – places and help available to keep warm this winter
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👉 Keeping well – immunisations and emotional wellbeing and support
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👉 Financial wellness – how to manage finances when costs are rising
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👉 Essentials – support with food and other essentials
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👉 Planning for cold and extreme weather
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This online briefing is for health and care professionals, paid and unpaid carers and volunteers working with people and communities who may be more vulnerable this winter.
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Upcoming Event Reminders
- Walk For A Life, Saturday 8th October, 10am to 3pm. Details on Website.
- 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
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Homecare Re-design - Come and tell us your views
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- Mendip, 11th October, 10am to 12.30pm. Book on Eventbrite.
- Taunton, 13th October, 10am to 12.30pm. Book on Eventbrite.
- Sedgemoor, 17th October, 10am to 12.30pm. Book on Eventbrite.
- South Somerset, 18th October, 10am to 12.30pm. Book on Eventbrite.
- Age UK Somerset Flexercise Workshop Bridgwater, Wednesday 19th October. More details on website.
- Optimal Handed Care, 4 sessions on 8th and 9th of November. Book on Eventbrite.
- Mouth Care Matters: Looking After People's Oral Health; A Training Session for Health & Social Care Professionals, Tuesday 6th December 9.30am to 11.30am. More details on Maxcourse
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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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