Adult Social Care Update
Removing vaccination as a condition of deployment and COVID-19 booster updates [Image created by freepik.com] The Government has announced its intention to revoke vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) in all health and social care settings, subject to consultation and Parliamentary process. The Government believes it is no longer proportionate to require VCOD through statute.
Despite this, vaccination, including the booster jab, remains the best line of defence against COVID-19. Resources explaining the importance of vaccination are available to download here and these winter vaccine campaign materials will also help you and your colleagues make an informed choice.
The Vaccine Boosters Taskforce for Social Care has published a paper to support good practice for driving booster vaccination in England. The paper and an accompanying letter from Sir David Pearson, Chair of the Vaccines Booster Taskforce, can be downloaded here.
Guidance update: Care home visiting, essential care givers and home care [Image created by freepik.com] Following recent guidance updates, there are currently no nationally set direct restrictions on visiting in care homes. Providers are expected to facilitate visits wherever possible and to do so in a risk-managed way.
All residents should have access to essential care givers, who can visit more often and be supported to follow the same testing, PPE and infection control arrangements as care staff.
People living in care homes remain typically more vulnerable to severe illness as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Additional measures are therefore in place to facilitate visiting while keeping care home staff and residents safe.
Provision of home care guidance has also been updated to include the latest clinical advice on self-isolation if someone shows symptoms of COVID-19, receives notification of close contact, or returns from international travel.
We Are Social Care Nurses: new bulletin launches [Image created by freepik.com] Skills for Care is delighted to publish the first edition of ‘We Are Social Care Nurses’, a new regular bulletin sharing blogs, interviews and news from people working in social care nursing and other experts in the field.
The bulletin will feature regular messages from Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, sharing her thoughts on the issues that matter most to social care nurses. This newsletter is all about sharing and celebrating the exceptional work they do and helping their voices to be heard.
The first edition is available to download now, but if you'd like to receive future bulletins, please subscribe by completing this simple form on the Skills for Care website.
Social care reform: What it means for housing and our ageing society [Image created by freepik.com] "Reforms which improve the state of our homes can support better health and care outcomes, easing the pressure on the NHS and social care services" attests Carole Easton, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better.
In this new blog for Transforming Social Care, Carole expands on why the White Paper makes it clear strong leadership is needed to make sure housing is not left behind in conversations about health and care reform.
World’s largest care home art gallery [Image from Caring Times] Residents at care homes across the nation have contributed to the world’s largest ever care home art exhibition.
Now open to the public, the virtual gallery showcases over 50 pieces of artwork created by residents from almost 40 care homes around the theme ‘Make the change’.
Care UK partnered on the exhibition with charity The Big Draw, which promotes the therapeutic benefits of drawing as a tool for learning, expression, and positive wellbeing.
Time to Talk Day: the conversation continues Time to Talk Day, which took place on Thursday 3 January, is the nation’s biggest annual mental health conversation. It’s the day that friends, families, communities, and workplaces come together to talk, listen and change lives.
Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Co-op encouraged everyone to take part by downloading a free conversation starter pack to help start conversations in communities and organisations across the country. The day may be over but it's never too late to start talking.
Meanwhile, for care colleagues feeling the strain or just needing a friendly ear to share their worries or concerns, Our Frontline continues to provide valuable links to compassionate support, seven days a week.
Social care research funding opportunities from NIHR [Image created by freepik.com] The NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme has launched two new funding opportunities relevant to care colleagues. HSDR is looking for high-quality research applications from practitioners, academic researchers and people who use health and care services.
Adult social care needs assessment and care planning evaluates the effectiveness and impact of their application in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Likewise, Implementing the Mental Capacity Act in practice (mental capacity assessments) evaluates how the Act has been applied across health and care sectors.
Details of a webinar to support these funding opportunities is available via the links above.
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