Adult Social Care Update A message from Gillian Keegan, Minister for Care and Mental Health When I was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, I was particularly pleased to see mental health become a major part of my brief alongside adult social care. They seem such an obvious fit. These unusual times have tested our emotional and psychological wellbeing, not just our physical health, and social care is an area where the two frequently overlap. This is my second ministerial appointment. I was previously Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills at the Department for Education. This position gave me great grounding for my latest role, as both portfolios cover a wide range of professions, services and skills. Having worked for many businesses, before becoming an MP, I truly believe people are the biggest asset of any organisation. I want to champion the sector, the people who work in it, and encourage more people to pursue careers in social care.
I come from Liverpool and I am part of a large family and, like many, have witnessed how physical, economic and social pressures can impact adversely on our mental as well as physical wellbeing. Sometimes support outside the family network falls short, is unavailable, or too late coming. I am determined to do something about that.
The care and support sector - and the role of mental health services within it – continues to be a critical resource for families. It is important we get the provision right, as we continue to engage widely on reform with social care colleagues, providers and those who use services. This is the first time mental health has been given such prominence in the care minister role and I will make sure it counts.
The role of social workers in mental health care has never been more crucial, especially as they help other health and care professionals navigate the complexities of the Mental Capacity Act and make sure the rights and wishes of individuals lie at the heart of decisions about their health and care.
Good mental health is not an aspiration. It is a right. Last month, our newly created Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) launched the ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign to help adults improve their mental wellbeing.
The campaign empowers adults to look after their mental health through an online platform. Site visitors create tailored ‘Mind Plans’, personalised tips to help them deal with stress, anxiety and feel more in control of their lives.
Care colleagues already have access to bespoke mental health support of course through the excellent ‘Our Frontline’ campaign, which signposts text, phone and online support, seven days a week. Help and a human voice is only a call or a click away.
Over the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to meeting many more of you and sharing with you my priorities, passions and plans for adult social care and mental health. I want to help close the gap between clinical and community services and build support that serves social care professionals just as well as those they care for. I look forward to working with you all to support better care and mental health services for everyone. Gillian Keegan meets residents and care staff on a recent visit to the Royal Star and Garter care home in Surbiton.
Infection prevention and control (IPC): Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care launches new guide [Image created by freepik.com] A new IPC Good Practice Guide, written by Professor Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, has been published on Skills for Care. The guide includes good practice examples of IPC for care home staff, domiciliary care workers and infection control teams.
Advice and recommendations are informed by lessons learned from the pandemic and will help keep residents, colleagues and service users safe.
Social care reform: engagement update [Image created by freepik.com] This week, Michelle Dyson, Director General for Adult Social Care at the Department of Health and Social Care, delivered a keynote speech on social care reform at the Hertfordshire Festival of Practice.
She acknowledge the current workforce pressures, the impact of COVID-19, and the meaning of the spending review announcement to social care providers and staff. Other senior officials engaged with members of the Care Provider Alliance to hear their views reform.
To date we have engaged with over 200 leading sector voices, including people with lived experience, to hear a diverse range of views on social care reform
Winter vaccinations: peace of mind for everyone As frontline care workers, you already know COVID-19 vaccinations have been a literal lifeline for you, your colleagues, family and friends. Critically, winter flu now has the potential to disrupt care provision again. Book your flu jabs now and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
As with the coronavirus vaccination programme, information and reassurance will be vital to this campaign’s success. There are a wealth of free winter vaccination resources available for download. A winter vaccines communications toolkit is also available, featuring case studies, expert blogs and a range of materials to promote flu and COVID-19 boosters among care sector colleagues.
Become a mental health social worker Applications to the popular fast track mental health social work scheme are now open to graduates and career changers. If ever there was a time to make a difference, it’s now.
Leadership from social work is vital to meet the mental health challenge. Through talking therapy, support, and advocacy, mental health social workers can empower people to manage the social factors in their lives—like relationships, housing, and employment—that enable them to get well and stay well.
Join the Think Ahead programme and help people with mental health problems flourish.
Code of practice for international recruitment of health and social care staff updated The code of practice promoting the high standards of ethical practice in the international recruitment and employment of health and social care personnel has been updated.
It sets out the UK’s approach to supporting health and social care systems and workforce and is aimed at all health or social care organisations or recruitment agencies undertaking international recruitment.
COVID-19 vaccination: what to do if you are medically exempt [Image supplied by freepik.com] Although vaccination as a condition of deployment in care homes is now fully in force - and will be extended to other health and care settings from April 2022 - not everyone can be vaccinated against COVID-19 for health reasons.
If you work or volunteer in care homes, you must apply for official proof that, for medical reasons, you're unable to be vaccinated. Click below for updated guidance explaining the process you'll need to follow.
Self Care Week and Stop Pressure Ulcers Day This week is Self Care Week, an annual UK-wide national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self care across communities, families and generations. Find out more, including a wealth of information and resources to help you personally and professionally, at the Self Care Forum.
Stop Pressure Ulcers Day also took place this week, endorsed by Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy. Pressure ulcers can be serious and lead to life-threatening complications. Read the Social Care Institute for Excellence's quick guide for registered managers of care homes on helping to prevent this uncomfortable condition.
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