Adult Social Care Update ![]()
Additional £388 million announced to support adult social care this winter ![]() [Image supplied by freepik.com] The adult social care workforce and people receiving care will be further protected from COVID-19 and flu over the coming months, as the Government announces additional funding for infection prevention and control in care settings.
An additional £388.3 million will help prevent the spread of infection in care settings, including £25 million to support care staff to access COVID-19 and flu vaccines over winter.
To boost flu vaccine uptake among social care staff, GP practices will be able to vaccinate care home staff not registered with them. Uptake will be monitored by region to allow a targeted approach, and more flu vaccines will be made available earlier.
Hospital discharge programme extended to 31 March 2022 ![]() [Image supplied by freepik.com] The Government has announced a £478 million funding package to continue the hospital discharge programme until 31 March 2022, allowing patients to leave hospital as quickly and safely as possible, with the right community or at-home support in place.
This additional funding will allow health and care systems to respond to increased demand over the winter period. This includes the continued use of designated settings, which have been vital to preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in care settings.
NHS COVID pass for medical exemptions and vaccinations abroad ![]() From 11 November 2021, new regulations require people working or volunteering in care homes to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless exempt on medical grounds. Those unable to receive the vaccines can apply for an NHS COVID Pass to prove their exemption status by calling 119.
Anyone applying for exemption should also complete a self-certification form. Self-certification will be recognised in this way until 23 December 2021, after which exemptions can only be verified using the NHS COVID Pass.
The self-certification process for people vaccinated abroad continues to be the only way exemptions can be demonstrated for this group.
Extending free PPE to care sector beyond March 2022: consultation launched ![]() [Image created by freepik.com] A consultation on extending free personal protective equipment (PPE) beyond March 2022 has launched, to run until 31 October 2021.
PPE usage is expected to remain at COVID-19 levels beyond March 2022. While there is sufficient stock available to support providers (guidance for ordering items through the PPE portal has recently been updated), we need to be mindful of the impact to the market of continued government intervention.
Responses are welcomed from across the sector to help the Government make a well-balanced and considered decision.
To note: From Monday 4 October 2021, the new phone number for emergency PPE requests will be: 0800 876 6802 (lines open Mon-Sun 7am-7pm). The National Supply Disruption Response line (0800 915 9964) remains in use to report disruptions to any medical products.
Lyn Romeo resumes full time Chief Social Worker for Adults role ![]() Lyn Romeo has resumed her full time role as Chief Social Worker for Adults at the Department of Health & Social Care. For the last six months, Lyn shared the position with Fran Leddra, Head of Service at Thurrock Council (who, in turn, shared the role with Mark Harvey, Operations Director Adult Disability and Mental Health, Hertfordshire Council).
Lyn thanked Fran and Mark for their leadership and all they achieved during a very challenging tenure, coinciding with the coronavirus outbreak. She will continue to advise and support social care reform, provide leadership to the social work profession, and deepen engagement with the social care sector around inequalities, diversity, safeguarding, mental health and the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
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