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Care Matters: Friday 30 September 2022
Priority flu and covid vaccinations available, DHSC data submission, Warm Spaces, Sepsis Training and more. Please share.
Priority flu and covid vaccinations available, DHSC data submission, Warm Spaces, Sepsis Training and more. Please share.
- Priority flu and Covid vaccinations for frontline social and health care workers
- Warm Spaces
- 27 October: Sepsis virtual training for carers looking after people with Learning Disabilities (LD)
- DHSC Data Submission
- The Malnutrition Task Force and BAPEN presents #UKMAW2022
- The Better Care Exchange
- Covid-19 Update
- Aerosol Generating Procedures in Adult Social Care
- Access to Covid vaccinations between booster programs for Care Home residents and Housebound patients.
- Cost of living support available in Sutton
- SW London Social Care Academy – employer involvement needed
- DHSC Adult Social Care submission
- A Carers Guide to Home Fire Safety
- Latest Guidance
- Training and Development
- Training and development: Foundations of Palliative Care for registered healthcare professionals
- Training and development: Free training for care staff – Autism awareness / Women’s wellbeing and the menopause
- Guidance changes – Help from London Borough of Sutton Public Health team
- Webinars and Training
- Sutton Care Hub Job Portal
Priority flu and Covid vaccinations for frontline social and health care workers
The change in the weather is a reminder that winter is approaching, which is typically when flu, colds and other infectious viruses like Covid start to spread. It’s time to plan ahead.
Flu vaccinations and Covid booster vaccinations are now freely available for priority groups including frontline social care and health workers.
Flu vaccinations
If you work in a frontline social or health care role you can find a local pharmacy offering flu vaccinations on this NHS webpage. Flu vaccinations can be booked directly with the pharmacy or, in some cases, by walking-in without an appointment – although it might be a good idea to call ahead to check first.
The pharmacist may ask you to prove where you work so take an ID badge to show if requested. Please let your manager know when you’ve had your vaccination and claim the cost back through iTrent in the usual way.
People with a weakened immune system or who are pregnant can also get a free flu vaccination now. They will become freely available for everyone aged 50 years old and over from October.
Covid autumn booster
All frontline social and health care workers and anyone with a weakened immune system can now book online for a Covid autumn booster appointment using the NHS national booking website.
You can also book first and second doses of the Covid vaccine for all adults and children aged five years old and over, if you haven’t already done so.
We strongly recommend that everyone who is eligible, and is able to, take up the flu and Covid-19 booster vaccination offers as soon as possible. Both viruses can easily spread from person to person, even between those not showing symptoms, and can be very dangerous for people who are vulnerable to infection.
Warm Spaces
Sutton libraries will be used as Warm Spaces for residents who may be struggling to keep warm at home in light of rising energy bills. At four Sutton libraries, trained Warm Spaces Volunteers will be on hand at specific times for a chat and to help direct residents to resources and organisations that can help them with the cost of living. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Warm Spaces Volunteer, please complete this short form.
27 October: Sepsis virtual training for carers looking after people with Learning Disabilities (LD)
How much do you know about sepsis?
As you must be aware, sadly sepsis is a key contributor to premature deaths for people with learning disabilities. Attendance to this virtual training will help you improve your understanding about sepsis which will then contribute to reducing the risk of LD residents experiencing sepsis and consequent deaths.
What?: What is sepsis? How to prevent it? How to recognise it? What are the treatments?
When?: 27th Oct 2022 (Thursday) 2-3PM
How?: Virtual
For whom?: Care staff of LD residential homes/supported living homes/extra care housing.
By whom?: Ana Weithers (Sepsis Clinical Nurse Specialist)
For any enquiries, please contact Choonwha on 07899 661522 or [email protected].
DHSC Data Submission
This month marked the first submission of mandated data reporting in the Capacity Tracker under the Health and Social Care Act 2022. We greatly appreciate your submissions and efforts to achieve a high response rate, with 93% of care home providers and 79% of home care settings updating their data on time. These submissions strengthen the Department’s ability to provide oversight and support to the ASC sector. Data is used to support high-quality commissioning, systems assurance, and risk management across the UK, and to help people make informed choices about their care through transparent and accessible use.
If you were unable to submit your data within the reporting window, please see here for guidance on how to register and where to access support. The key support routes are extracted below for ease.
- For support completing or updating the system, accessing or using the reports and analytics, you can reach the NECS Support Team by phone 0191 691 3729 or by email [email protected].
- For guidance on how to answer specific questions, you can email [email protected].
- For administrative amendments, account support and more, you can contact NECS at: [email protected].
The Malnutrition Task Force and BAPEN presents #UKMAW2022
#UKMAW2022 will take place between 10th and 16th October
The MTF is delighted to be partnering again with BAPEN to bring you #UKMAW2022 – a week of activities, with a focus on raising awareness of preventable malnutrition and dehydration in older people.
Visit our #UKMAW 2022 website page for details
Malnutrition has long been a major public health issue – more than three million people across the UK are either malnourished or are at risk of becoming malnourished, and one million will be older people.
There are posters and a selfie card to download here.
On the 10th of October, The MTF will host a virtual, ‘Sharing of Practice’ learning day and you can get involved – read more here.
We invite you to share your ideas, practice, top tips, research, and anything else you think would be interesting and helpful. The day will be recorded and available to watch in full or in bite-sized pieces after the event. If you would like to attend the Sharing of Practice day, simply register for your place here.
Daily Themes for #UKMAW2022; There will be a different theme for each day of #UKMAW 2022 and we will soon be sharing ways that you can get involved with this meanwhile you can see the Daily Themes here.
The Better Care Exchange
Online support for process improvement available now
The Lean Fundamentals online programme is enrolling now.
This free online course can help health and care staff to improve their processes and reduce waste and will be particularly helpful in recovering elective services from COVID-19 disruption.
Lean Fundamentals has already helped reduce waiting lists and waiting times from over 12 months to under three months, on average.
It introduces foundational Lean concepts and tools through a practical, structured learning-in-action approach that can be applied straight away. The programme, led by NHS England, has been developed by experienced Lean practitioners and technology-enhanced-learning experts.
The course will be running until 30 October.
To register / participate :
- If you have previously registered on the QI Learning Platform, then you simply need to enrol on the course: https://www.qilearning.england.nhs.uk/courses/LeanFundamentals-Sep-2022
- If you have not previously registered on the platform, please click the NEW USER link at the bottom of the log in page: at: https://www.qilearning.england.nhs.uk/courses/LeanFundamentals-Sep-2022and then enrol on the course.
If you experience any technical difficulties, or have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected]
Please feel free to share details with any colleagues who you feel might benefit from the course.
Covid-19 Update
What has changed
Routine asymptomatic testing will be paused across Adult social care settings from 31 August as COVID-19 cases continue to fall. This means staff who have no symptoms of a respiratory infection are no longer required to test for COVID-19 on a regular basis.
As asymptomatic testing has been paused it is important that staff are aware of symptoms of Covid -19 and follow the guidance on Symptomatic testing.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
Staff members with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19
Anyone who has symptoms of a respiratory infection and has a high temperature or does not feel well enough to go to work, is advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
They should follow the guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19.
Patient-facing healthcare staff who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to attend work, should take an LFD test as soon as they feel unwell.
If the result of this LFD test is positive, staff should follow the advice in the section for staff members who receive a positive LFD test result for COVID-19.
If the LFD test result is negative, they can attend work if they are clinically well enough to do so and they do not have a high temperature.
If the staff member works with patients whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness despite vaccination, they should discuss this with their line manager who should undertake a risk assessment.
If they are still displaying respiratory symptoms when they return to work, they should also speak to their line manager who should undertake a risk assessment.
On returning to work, the staff member must continue to comply rigorously with all relevant infection control precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn properly throughout the day.
Staff members who receive a positive LFD test result for COVID-19
All healthcare staff who have received a positive COVID-19 test result, regardless of whether they have symptoms, are advised not to attend work for 5 days. They should follow guidance for people with a positive COVID-19 test result.
Patient-facing healthcare staff can return to work when they have had 2 consecutive negative LFD test results (taken at least 24 hours apart).
The first LFD test should only be taken 5 days after the day their symptoms started (or the day their first positive test was taken if they did not have symptoms); this is described as day 0.
Reminder
If you have 2 or more residents or staff who have tested positive, please report to the LCRC and capacity tracker. Please refer the contact details at the bottom of this page.
Care homes should also report on the LBS google form.
Outbreak testing has not changed.
Key contact details
- UKHSA LCRC Tel: 0300 303 0450 Email: [email protected]
- LBS Public Health Team: [email protected]
- Care Home Support Team: [email protected]
Aerosol Generating Procedures in Adult Social Care
We are currently looking at how we further support the ASC settings, with IPC. One way is by looking at any areas that services may require additional support or advice. We have previously sent out a survey. We would appreciate if you have not completed the survey already could you do so as soon as possible as this was supposed to be completed by 14 September 2022.
Access to Covid vaccinations between booster programs for Care Home residents and Housebound patients.
The Autumn Booster program started on the 5th of September 2022.
There may be some Care Home residents or Housebound patients who require a Covid vaccination between the booster programs. In these situations, national guidance states that it is important to ensure clinical conversations take place at the point of care about the optimal timing of a booster dose prior to an autumn vaccination programme. It is expected that there will be a minimum interval of 91 days between an individual’s last dose and an expected autumn vaccination offer. Those who enter care homes or turn 75 after 30 June are not eligible for further vaccination until the autumn programme begins. However, newly immunosuppressed individuals should continue to be offered vaccination through the summer period.
If, following clinical assessment and discussion with the patient/resident and their family/carers a vaccination is clinically indicated. Please complete the form by clicking here
The SW London roving team will contact the Care Home or patient directly to book the vaccination.
For any questions, please contact the SW London Vaccination Hub on 0203 8800338 or email [email protected]
Please note the Hub is manned Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
The full process is attached below for Care Home residents and housebound patients
Cost of living support available in Sutton
From money matters to mental health and wellbeing, Sutton Council, local charities, community groups and partners are working together to support residents and those they care about with the rising cost of living.
To find out what support is available or to find out how you can help others, visit sutton.gov.uk/support, call 020 8770 5000 or visit your library or the Civic Offices.
SW London Social Care Academy – employer involvement needed
Funding has recently been made available for the development of social care academies in London. Academies are programmes that aim to increase and improve recruitment and retention (and workforce development) in specific sectors. The South London Partnership (working collaboratively with partners) is planning to co-ordinate and deliver a social care academy in SW London. In order to make sure the academy meets local needs, Priya Samuel from the South London Partnership is looking to speak to care employers to:
- Identify recruitment and retention challenges, gaps and needs
- Understand the roles in demand
- Learn of ways employers retain their workforce
- Discuss ways to raise the profile of adult social care
- Offer recruitment support through employment brokerage teams
If you’re able to help please e-mail Priya ([email protected]) and she’ll arrange a convenient time to speak with you.
DHSC Adult Social Care submission
The information below will help care homes and homecare providers by explaining the timeline for the mandatory submission in more detail.
Submission period for mandatory DHSC Adult Social Care data
Care homes and homecare providers will be required to update their data by 11pm on the 14th day of each month – or the next working day when the 14th is on a weekend or public holiday. Data must be no more than a week out of date i.e. it must be correct to no further back than the 8th of each month.
When the 14th is on a weekend or public holiday, the submission period will be determined by the next working day.
A Carers Guide to Home Fire Safety
Learn how to keep people that receive care safe from fire.
A formal video is now available for carers on the LFB website. Those who wish to view this video will have to input some basic information in order to gain access to it.
What you will learn:
- How to recognise people who are at risk of having a fire
- Identify key high risk factors
- Show what actions can reduce these risks
- Describe what to do in the event of a fire
Please assist and share this link with your teams to complete.
Please click here
COVID-19
Please see the new changes at the top of this page.
Please take a look at the new updates that have been made to the following on the GOV.UK website (updates given on 27/05/2022).
Information and advice for health and care professionals:
PPE use for aerosol generating procedures:
Latest Guidance
The latest guidance has been published about COVID-19 testing for ASC services. Please click the link below to go to the GOV.UK webpage.
For all the latest guidance on the Carehub regarding COVID-19, please click here to view the updated pages regarding;
- Visiting
- Testing
- Outbreak Management
- Admissions
- Infection Prevention and Control
Training and Development
27 October: Sepsis virtual training for carers looking after people with Learning Disabilities (LD)
How much do you know about sepsis?
As you must be aware, sadly sepsis is a key contributor to premature deaths for people with learning disabilities. Attendance to this virtual training will help you improve your understanding about sepsis which will then contribute to reducing the risk of LD residents experiencing sepsis and consequent deaths.
What?: What is sepsis? How to prevent it? How to recognise it? What are the treatments?
When?: 27th Oct 2022 (Thursday) 2-3PM
How?: Virtual
For whom?: Care staff of LD residential homes/supported living homes/extra care housing.
By whom?: Ana Weithers (Sepsis Clinical Nurse Specialist)
For any enquiries, please contact Choonwha on 07899 661522 or [email protected].
Training and development: Foundations of Palliative Care for registered healthcare professionals
St Raphael’s Hospice is running palliative care foundation courses for registered healthcare professionals.
The Foundations of Palliative Care is running on the 8 and 9 November, and is aimed at/suitable for registered nurses, nursing associates and paramedics.
Topics covered:
- What is Palliative care & What is Hospice Care
- Advance Care Planning
- Symptom control
- Priorities of care for the dying
- Non-pharmacological interventions for symptom control
- Registered Nurse/HCP Verification of Expected Adult Death (simulated learning)
- Syringe pumps and Saf-T Intimas: practical workshop
A light breakfast, lunch and refreshments are included throughout the day. All attendees will receive a certificate that can be used towards revalidation, CPD and appraisal.
For more information & booking please see the St Raphael Hospice website or contact the Education team on [email protected]
Free training for care staff – Autism awareness / Women’s wellbeing and the menopause
Successful Mums Career Academy has won funding to offer free training to care staff:
- The funding will pay for 7 hours of accredited training (2 half-day workshops) in Autism awareness OR Women’s wellbeing and the menopause
- The training can be delivered either face-to-face or online
- There will be an option to complete a full qualification at a later date (for those that would benefit from more detailed learning)
- The funding will also pay for employees’ time to attend the workshops
- Workshops will start in August / September
To be eligible, employees must be a parent and have a child aged under 12. They must also be earning less than £11.05 per hour and live in Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Richmond or Kingston. However, if there’s a member of your staff who’s interested but doesn’t fit the criteria please still get in touch with Successful Mums as they may still be able to attend.
For further information and/or to express an interest please contact Jane Knight – [email protected]
Guidance changes? Help from London Borough of Sutton Public Health team
There have been a number of changes in guidance over the recent weeks. If you need any help or advice on the changes please contact the London Borough of Sutton Public health team. Drop them an email [email protected]
Webinars and training
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.