Adult Social Care Update
Don't forget to book your winter flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
New era of public health to tackle inequalities [Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash] Health disparities across the UK will be tackled through a new approach to public health focused on stopping debilitating health conditions before they develop, as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) launched this week.
OHID marks a distinct shift in focus at the heart of government in addressing the unacceptable health disparities that exist across the country to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and reduce the pressure on the health and care system as work is done to reduce the backlog and put social care on a long-term sustainable footing.
Watch the latest adult social care videos from DHSC [Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid's recent visit to Aashna House care home] Watch the latest videos on everything from infection prevention and control, to vaccinations, webinars and stories from across the sector.
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Social care reform engagement gets underway [Image created by freepik.com] Following the launch of Build Back Better: A Plan for Health & Care, an intense period of engagement has now begun, as the Government works with leaders in local government, the care sector, the NHS, people with lived experience and others to develop a White Paper on social care reform.
We’ll be seeking the wise counsel of this diverse range of stakeholders to co-produce plans for reform across a number of areas including models of care, housing, technology and support for unpaid carers.
With the White Paper expected later this year, we’ll bring you the latest updates right here in the ASC Update.
Supporting unpaid carers to get vaccinated [Image created by freepik.com] A standard operating procedure (SOP) has been updated to help identify and enable unpaid carers to access priority COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
It also encourages those who may not already be identified by the health and care system to make themselves known to GP practices and local authority carers teams.
Another SOP, relating to the operation of roving and mobile vaccination models at locations outside vaccination 'base' sites (including care homes) has also been updated.
New care staff winter jab resources ready for download [Image created by freepik.com] Two new Q&A leaflets have been issued, focusing on COVID-19 booster and flu vaccinations this winter. You can download all care staff winter vaccine materials, including posters, social media graphics and stickers right now.
A new winter vaccines communications toolkit is also available, featuring case studies, expert blogs and a range of materials to promote flu and COVID-19 boosters.
PPE supplies: update your capacity tracker daily [Image created by freepik.com] Some care providers are reporting personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies as ‘red’ on the capacity tracker, but are not actually short of stock. Please update the tracker at your earliest convenience if you are no longer experiencing PPE shortages.
It is also vitally important care managers update all vaccination information daily, including flu and booster jabs for their staff.
Having problems updating? Use the online help function or contact the support team on 0191 691 3729 or email them at: necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net. If you have any questions about using the PPE Portal, including ordering issues, contact our customer service team (7am-7pm, 7 days a week) on 0800 876 6802.
World Mental Health Day: Reflections from the Chief Social Worker for Adults The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day (taking place on Sunday 10 October) is ‘Mental health in an unequal world’. This timely focus resonates particularly strongly with frontline health and care workers, supporting individuals and communities, deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults, reflects on the speed with which social workers, alongside other frontline health and care professionals, have adapted their ways of working to support people's mental health.
Meanwhile, OHID recently launched the latest Every Mind Matters campaign to promote better mental health. Care colleagues needing wellbeing support can also visit Mental Health at Work's dedicated Our Frontline site, call 0300 303 4434 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week), or text FRONTLINE to 85258. All services are offered in confidence by trained volunteers.
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