Adult social care update
Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy, introduces this week's edition.
15 months ago, the world changed. The global pandemic, which continues to affect us all, unleashed uncertainty, fear and loss, the like of which our country has not experienced for generations.
On 19 July, it changes again, when the Government lifts the last remaining restrictions on daily life. Our successful vaccination programme has been a major factor in getting us here, but we could not have reached this point without you, our amazing care workforce. Thanks to your incredible compassion, dedication and flexibility, you have supported, protected and comforted our love ones, at a time when they were most vulnerable.
Just like your equally committed NHS colleagues, you have endured an increased burden of responsibility, which I know has taken its toll on many of you, especially those of you who have lost family, loved ones and colleagues to this disease.
The gratitude we owe you is immense, and the professional pride you have shown in dealing with such an extended period of commitment and hard work is acknowledged by those you have cared for. I am proud to count myself as a member of the social care workforce, and my personal thanks goes to each and every one of you.
In the darkest days of the pandemic, when care home visits weren’t possible, we relied on you to support the mental, as well as physical, wellbeing of residents. More than a year on, with visiting restrictions relaxed, we found ourselves in the midst of Care Home Open Week and a new sense of confidence, optimism and reconnection with local communities.
Your commitment, in homes and other care settings, to the highest standards of infection prevention and control, has been a vital contributing factor, as has the take up of vaccination appointments by many colleagues. If you haven’t booked yours yet, please do so now and help us preserve these hard-won freedoms.
I know opening up to the outside world means as much to you as it does the people you care for. You too have coped with the pressures of isolation, illness and restricted routines. It’s my mission to make sure you amazing work is properly recognised, supported and built upon in a post-pandemic world. The recently launched Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Awards are one small part of that and I look forward to announcing more worthy winners soon. Use the links below to submit your nominations for exceptional care colleagues.
Coronavirus has proved how vital it is to establish closer collaboration between health and care services. This approach has already saved lives and protected others. It absolutely must become the bedrock of social care reforms, which you and I can help bring about.
Your professionalism has been outstanding. I want to harness that experience, and work with you to shape a social care system truly supportive of our diverse, dynamic and constantly evolving communities.
Your work has protected you, your colleagues and those you care for in the present, to give us hope for a better future. We will strive to make that hope a reality for everyone. Together.
Celebrities support 'rhythm of life' in new video encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations Celebrities including Asa Butterfield, Jim Broadbent, Nicola Roberts, Sir Derek Jacobi, Don Warrington and Russell Tovey have joined forces to encourage everyone to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in a new uplifting film.
Set to the toe-tapping tune The Rhythm of Life, from the 1966 classic musical, Sweet Charity, the heart-warming film celebrates the success of the vaccination programme in supporting the easing of restrictions.
Preparations underway for lifting of remaining COVID-19 restrictions on 19 July Image created by freepik.com The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, hosted a press conference earlier this week, setting out the Government's plans for the final easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England, giving businesses and the public more time to prepare.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajiv Javid, also announced the plans to Parliament. Step 4 is expected to begin on Monday 19 July if the 'four tests' for easing restrictions are met. This will be confirmed on Monday 12 July, following a review of the latest data.
Guidance roundup: hospital discharge, infection control, testing in care settings Imaged created by freepik.com Guidance to support hospital discharge has been updated, in partnership with stakeholders, to make it easier to read. This guidance reflects updated financial arrangements and provides more detailed descriptions of discharge pathways.
The Infection Control and Testing Fund, supporting care providers to reduce transmission and enable close contact visiting, has now been extended until September 2021, with an extra £251 million of funding.
COVID-19 testing service guidance for extra care and supported living settings has been revised. The guidance is primarily for managers to set out testing policy to staff and is part of a suite of measures to prevent outbreaks and save lives.
Blogwatch: looking back at Care Home Open Week Perhaps, more than any previous event, this year's Care Home Open Week was about reconnecting residents and care staff with their local communities, after many months of unavoidable separation, isolation and other restrictions.
Previously held on just one day, this year’s extended celebration of the very best of residential care, allowed care homes to host one event or several at a time, according to their size, location and facilities.
The Social Care blog was proud to host a series of posts featuring diversity inclusion events, community outreach with local police and a lovely poem from one very happy resident.
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