Information for adult social care providers

Message from Dr Richard Harling, Director of Health and Care
(Director of Public Health and Director of Adult Social Services) 

21 September 2023

COVID-19

1. COVID-19 cases are on the increase across the community, and as we head into the winter months, we wanted to highlight the key COVID-19 practice that can help to stop the spread of infection.

2. COVID-19 Vaccinations – eligible care homes will be contacted by their PCN to arrange an on-site visit.  Care homes can support PCN’s by ensuring consent forms are completed in advance.

Don’t forget frontline health & social care staff are eligible and can book their vaccination using the national booking system or attend one of our walk-in clinics.  Staff need to take a form of evidence of their employment with them i.e. an ID Badge.

Fields for recording vaccination data (Flu & Autumn Booster) on the Capacity Tracker went live on 20 September.

3. Infection & Control measures – there are a number of proactive measures providers can take to help reduce the spread of infection, like encouraging good hand hygiene.  Enhanced measures should be detailed in your risk assessment and applied in the event of an outbreak, such as minimising contact with others.

4. PPE – face masks should be worn as a minimum in the following circumstances: 

• If a person receiving care and support is suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19.
• If there is an outbreak in the care home.
• Personal choice of the person receiving support or staff member.

5. COVID-19 treatments – please be vigilant and ensure people eligible for COVID-19 treatments take a COVID-19 LFD test asap if they have any symptoms.  COVID-19 treatments work most effectively if they are taken within 5 days of symptom onset. 

6. COVID-19 testing – in the event of a suspected outbreak in a care home, the first 5 linked resident cases who show symptoms should take an LFD test, regardless of their eligibility for COVID-19 treatments.  Following this, only symptomatic residents eligible for COVID-19 treatments should be tested.  

Residents who test positive for COVID-19 should be supported to stay away from others for a minimum of 5 days.

Staff members who test positive for COVID-19 should not attend the workplace for a minimum of 5 days.

7. Outbreak management – a care home should undertake a risk assessment asap if an outbreak is suspected.  Support can be sought from UKHSA to complete this risk assessment, if required.

Providers should continue to inform UKHSA if an outbreak is suspected.

8. Care home visiting – we recognise visiting loved ones is critical to personal health & wellbeing, but please remind visitors to stay at home if they are feeling unwell (even if they have tested negative for COVID-19).

Please don’t forget in the event of an outbreak, care home visiting should continue, with a minimum of one visitor at a time inside the care home.

9. Further detailed information on the above can be located in the following national guidance: 

• IPC: resource for ASC.
• COVID-19 supplement to the IPC resource for ASC.

10. As you are aware UKHSA are currently monitoring the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 – if there are any further changes to guidance as we learn more, we will let you know.

 IPC Newsletter

11. The IPC Care Home Newsletter (1,258 KB) is live and contains information on emerging infectious health risks, hydration and waste management.  There is also information about the second Quarterly Care Home Manager Session taking place on 28 September 2023 (and how to book your place).

Valuing Social Care – The Social Care Hub

12. The Social Care Hub is now live and offer a new staffing solution to support care homes.  The Hub has recruited bank staff (fully trained, DBS checked and referenced) who are looking for shadow shifts and opportunities for short- and long-term contracts across Staffordshire.  If you think you can help with shadow shifts, please read this short flyer (128 KB) from ICS colleagues.

13. If you would like to find out more about how the Hub works and the associated benefits and costs, you can watch the short video or you can view the supporting information pack (1,027KB).

Valuing Social Care - Partnership Network meeting

14. The next Partnership Network Meeting focusing on Health & Wellbeing and better understanding your recruitment barriers will take place on 5 October 2023 (10:30 – 12:00).  Please see the flyer (400 KB) for joining details.

Capacity Tracker

15. Don’t forget to regularly update the Capacity Tracker – noting the deadline for the next mandate is Monday 16 October 2023.

How to contact us

16. Please see our ‘How to Contact us’ webpage.