DHSC coronavirus social care update - 18 January

Sent by CQC on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care

The independent regulator of health and social care in England A message from Helen Whately, Minister for Care,  Department of Health and Social Care Dear Reader,  While many of you will have been hard at work over Christmas and New Year, I hope you were able to connect safely with family, friends and loved ones over the festive period and had some respite from the undeniable pressures upon you. Clearly this is not the way any of us wanted to start the New Year. As you know, it was with a heavy heart the Prime Minister announced a third national lockdown, to contain the spread of a more virulent and transmissible variant of coronavirus. Infection rates are rising almost everywhere. There really is no other option if we are to continue protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed. For those of you working in the care sector, this situation is doubly concerning, as an already challenging winter becomes even more so with the rising infection rates. I am relieved it's not all bad news. Following the roll out of Pfizer BioNTech's vaccine, the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine will allow us to expand our vaccination programme and immunise frontline care staff and vulnerable residents more quickly. The Moderna vaccine has also received regulatory approval, meaning we will have at least three vaccines available. As I write this, we know that 2.6 million people in the UK have received a dose of the vaccine, including a quarter of older care home residents. We are working flat out to make sure all health and social care workers, as well as care home residents, have been offered their first jab by 15 February. For those of you yet to be vaccinated, or a little concerned by the prospect, I recommend reading this blog from Ruth Yates of HC-One. She and her care home colleagues describe a very positive experience at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Visits to care homes can continue to take place with arrangements including outdoor visiting, screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not currently allowed and there should be no visits in the event of an outbreak, except in exceptional circumstances, such as end of life care, which should always be supported. People who work in care know just how frustrating it is for family and friends not being able to visit, but carers also know how important it is to keep this virus out of homes.  I hope you are also making full and frequent use of the PPE (personal protective equipment) portal to access all the free kit you need, to keep staff and residents protected from infection risks. Infection prevention and control has never been more important. Lastly, I cannot stress enough how it important it is that you all take care of your mental as well as physical health – especially in the critical weeks and months ahead. If you haven't done so already, download the CARE app, as featured below this message, for easy access to our package of emotional, psychological and practical resources. These include a 24/7 texting service and dedicated helplines available for any kind of concern. You are not alone, there is always someone to talk to. No one expects you to bear the burden of caring for others without support.  For now though, take care of each other, your residents, friends and families and we will continue to do all we can to take care of you.  Find out more about the Government's vaccination programme   Download the CARE Workforce app for the latest information, support and discount offers Download on Google Play Download on the App Store COVID-19 vaccination update The national vaccination programme is working to offer a first COVID-19 vaccination to all residents and staff in care homes for older people by 24 January 2021. All community-based social care workers in Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority group 2 are also now being supported to access their first appointment for a vaccination by 15 February 2021. This includes home care workers and those working in day centres and supported living, who have close personal contact with those who are clinically at risk. They will be contacted when it is their turn to get the vaccine and will receive a letter about how they should access their vaccination. The JCVI has confirmed unpaid carers are included in priority group 6. Many carers will be included in earlier priority groups.  Guidance about the roll out of the vaccine to community-based social care workers in priority group 2 can be found here. Guidance to support unpaid carers to access vaccination is being developed and will be published in early February 2021.  Community based care workers click here for details   Blog watch: Lockdowns unlock innovation Tough as it is, the lockdowns have not stopped social care professionals, organisations and services finding ways to provide amazing support during the pandemic. The restrictions have been hard for everyone involved in social care, but they have also brought opportunities and innovations which have inspired and supported others. The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)'s Ewan King explains more... Read Ewan's blog in full to be inspired   Brew Monday No, New Order have not signed a lucrative deal to promote Yorkshire Gold. This is a timely initiative from The Samaritans, encouraging people to reach out to a friend, family member or colleague today (Monday 18 January), the third Monday in that month, often referred to as 'Blue Monday'. Often a grey day and never a pay day! This is an especially pressured time for care colleagues, so if you or someone you know works in social care services, why not stop and make time to listen over a virtual cuppa? You're on the frontline of this collective effort to contain the pandemic, so it's more important than ever we check in with each other and share how we're feeling. Find out more about the campaign here   New podcast series for managers in social care Introducing a new podcast series for managers in social care hosted by Skills for Care. Throughout the series, invited guests join Skills for Care colleagues to celebrate the role of managers in social care. The podcasts provide a place where managers can listen to each other, feel less isolated and pickup some good ideas to support them in their own roles, especially in these unusual times. Download the 'Care Exchange' app to never miss an episode   Forward this newsletter to a colleague or friend This communication has been sent by the Care Quality Commission on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

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