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Care Matters Weekly: Friday 29 October 2021
COVID-19 Innova 25 throat and nose rapid testing, updated PPE ordering, HSE video on fresh air, fire training reminder, online IPC training sessions and more. Please share.
Published on 29/10/2021 in Adult services | Care Matters Weekly | Covid-19 | News | Weekly Information Sharing FAQs | Workforce
COVID-19 Innova 25 throat and nose rapid testing, updated PPE ordering, HSE video on fresh air, fire training reminder, online IPC training sessions. Please share.
- Updated guidance
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Information sharing
- Webinars and Training
- Sutton Care Hub
Updated Guidance
COVID-19 vaccine
Innova 25 throat and nose rapid testing
New guidance has been published for care home staff: throat and nose test (Innova 25) COVID-19 rapid test kit instructions. Page summary:
- Step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing for adult health and social care staff
- Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19
Download the full guidance.
Updated PPE ordering guidance
Updated guidance has been issued about the PPE portal – how to order free COVID-19 PPE. Page summary:
- Eligible health and social care providers can order PPE through the portal to meet the increased need that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Increased order limits of visors by 50% across all categories
Read the full guidance, including order limits.
HSE video on COVID-19 and fresh air ventilation
The HSE has produced a short video on tips for making sure your workplace/care home is well ventilated, to help combat the spread of COVID-19 during the winter months.
Information sharing
Adult Social Care Infection Control and Testing Fund
Last week the guidance on the extension of the above fund was released. The council is now reviewing this guidance and you will shortly (where eligible and if you have previously adhered to the conditions of the fund) receive communication on individual allocations.
Please ensure Capacity Tracker is up to date so that you receive the right allocation.
More details on the fund can be found here
Workforce Recruitment and Retention fund for social care
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced a £162.5 million Workforce Recruitment and Retention fund to help councils to work with social care providers to increase staffing and support care workers through the winter.
Councils across England will soon be able to access the fund based on their need. The ring-fenced funding, available until the end of March 2022, will support councils working with providers to recruit staff. It will also be available to help retain the existing workforce – through overtime payments and staff banks of people ready to work in social care – and will provide further capacity to support their health and well-being.
Read the full government announcement.
Training reminder: National Safeguarding Fire Safety, 18 November
As part of National Safeguarding Adults Awareness week, Martin Corbett, Sutton Borough Fire Commander, has organised a training event for practitioners and care homes.
The event takes place on Thursday 18 November, 10am – 11.30am.
The aims of the session are:
- To share the findings of the SSAB Fire review task and finish group
- To officially launch the Fire Safety Audit Tool
- To explore the Safeguarding principles in the context of fire risks
- To examine best practice and consider what more we can do to ensure that residents are safeguarded against fire related incidents, serious injuries and deaths
Find out more and book your place.
Weekly Information Sharing FAQs
Dear Colleagues,
Webinars for Care Homes
Thank you for joining the most recent Webinar for Care Homes – we hope that these continue to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to remain diligent in following guidance, using PPE and supporting staff and residents to be vaccinated.
The next webinar is on Tuesday 2 November at 11am and will include an update on our digital projects, IPC and on the COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Sutton webinar 19 October: presentations
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Webinars and training
IPC 7th Care Home Champion meeting: Monday 1 November
The 7th Infection Prevention and Control Care Home Champion meeting takes place on Monday 1 November, 2pm – 3pm, and focuses on Norovirus in the care home. You can join using this link. Hope to see you there. Details are also in the Events calendar.
IPC sessions for Community Social Care staff
Infection Prevention and Control education sessions for all levels of Community Social Care staff take place online every Monday between 2pm and 3pm.
The next sessions are:
- 8 November: Session 1 Viral Diarrhoea (incl Norovirus) and Outbreak Management
- 15 November: Session 2 Bacterial diarrhoea (incl Clostridium difficile and food associated gastrointestinal infections)
- 22 November: Session 3 Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) and urinary catheter care & management
- 1 and 29 November: Session 4 Respiratory viruses and Outbreak Management
Register at Eventbrite to attend.
General IPC training sessions for all Community and Social Care staff
Join senior IPC nurses to learn more about general infection prevention and control training including: MRSA, Tuberculosis, diarrhoea, rashes, wound care, specimen taking, head lice, scabies, respiratory infections, including COVID-19, staff health and more.
Sessions run online every Thursday between 2pm to 4.30pm. Register at Eventbrite to attend.
Weekly Information Sharing FAQs webinar
The COVID-19 pandemic remains an extremely challenging situation globally and we recognise that this is the case for staff working in Care Homes of all types. We are continuing the weekly Infection Prevention and Control and Information Sharing webinar Tuesday mornings at 11:00am.
+44 20 3880 0300 United Kingdom, London (Toll)
Conference ID: 855 305 74#
Local numbers | Reset PIN | Learn more about Teams | Meeting options.
Weekly Capacity Tracker webinar
Capacity Tracker Webinars for Care Homes are taking place at 2:00pm every Friday.
Click here to join the meeting on your computer or mobile app Or call in (audio only) on +44 20 3794 0272 Phone Conference ID: 311 948 485#
Sutton Care Hub Job Portal
To support Sutton’s care providers to recruit the best staff for all positions from management, to clinical staff, carers and administrative support, we have created the Sutton Care Hub Job Portal.
Subscribe to the Sutton Care Bulletin!
The Sutton Care Bulletin features a round up of good news stories and successes from across Sutton’s care sector, as well as useful information, guidance and resources. Please make sure you have subscribed to receive future editions.
An archive of previous editions can be found on the Sutton Care Hub.
Keep up to date
Subscribe to the Sutton Care Bulletin for regular updates on the big news and latest guidance from the Sutton Care Hub.