What's New Bulletin 127 - 12 January 2023
This is edition 127 of the provider bulletin, containing information on guidance, procedures and new initiatives. Very urgent or high priority communications may still be issued on an ad hoc basis, but we will try to keep these to a minimum.
- REMINDER Important information about the tendering of care homes, supported living and home support sensory services for Birmingham City Council (information for all providers)
- UPDATED GUIDANCE: Free personal protective equipment (PPE) scheme (information for all providers)
- Message from Department of Health and Social Care: Enforcement of information requirements under section 277A of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (information for all providers)
- ACTION NEEDED Capacity Tracker: Data Collection Reporting Window for January 2023 deadline 16 January 2023 (information for all providers)
- Personalised Care Virtual Training – Shared Decision Making 19 January 2023 (information for Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
1. REMINDER Important information about the tendering of care homes, supported living and home support sensory services for Birmingham City Council (information for all providers)
Please be aware that tender applications can now be made for the following contracts:
- 2023 Care homes for over 65’s
- 2023 Care homes for under 65’s
- 2023 Supported Living
- 2023 Home Support – Sensory Loss
Existing care providers who wish to continue to work with the Council will need to re-apply for these 2023 contracts which will replace the current arrangements on 3 April 2023. New providers may wish to consider applying should they wish to do business with the Council in future.
The tender application period is currently scheduled to end on 6 February 2023, so please do ensure you make your application before this date.
For details about how and where to apply, please see the below webpage and links:
Tender opportunities | Tender opportunities | Birmingham City Council
2. UPDATED GUIDANCE: Free personal protective equipment (PPE) scheme (information for all providers)
This guidance covers the provision of free PPE for all health, social care and public sector workers for coronavirus (COVID-19) infection control, between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2024. It has been updated to reflect the extension of the free PPE scheme to the end of March 2024 or until DHSC’s stocks are depleted (whichever is sooner).
The full guidance can be found below:
Free personal protective equipment (PPE) scheme
3. Message from Department of Health and Social Care: Enforcement of information requirements under section 277A of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (information for all providers)
This is an update from DHSC on the enforcement of the Adult Social Care Provider Information Provisions.
The Adult Social Care Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 were commenced on 1 December 2022.
Adult Social Care Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022
DHSC has published enforcement guidance setting out what will happen if a provider does not update their data monthly via Capacity Tracker, as outlined in the guidance on data collection. New guidance has also been added to the page detailing the non-mandated data items collected for operational support.
The Formal Notice of a mandate has also been updated to reflect the current list of mandated data items.
The enforcement process will focus on supporting providers to comply with the information requirements, with financial penalties normally a last resort.
4. ACTION NEEDED Capacity Tracker: Data Collection Reporting Window for January 2023 deadline 16 January 2023 (information for all providers)
The deadline for the next mandated data submission of the National Capacity Tracker is 23:59 on Monday 16 January.
A temporary bug with the Update Monthly Status Collection should now be resolved. Thank you for your patience.
What you need to do:
Make sure you complete your updates on the National Capacity Tracker by the deadline each month. However, we are asking all our providers to please complete the National Capacity Tracker every time information changes. This is key to producing the most up to date overall picture of protection and needs across the sector and to enable the Department of Health and Social Care, working together with system partners in the NHS and in Local Authorities, to better manage the challenges and target additional support as needed. Thank you to all providers that are already regularly updating the National Capacity Tracker.
How much are the fines?
The level of the fines will be the same as a provider’s CQC registration fee, for example;
- a care home with 31-35 service users could be looking at a fine of £5,023
- a larger care home with 56-60 service users could be looking at a fine of £8,792
- a home care provider with 20 clients could be looking at a fine of £1,325
- a larger home care provider with 40 clients could be looking at a fine of £2,411
Who issues the fines?
The National Capacity Tracker team is administering and enforces all aspects of the fines on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. Local authorities are not involved in any aspect of this process. Please do everything in your power to make sure you do not receive a fine, as it could be significant. You may also want to ensure that more than one person in your organisation can update the National Capacity Tracker.
Help and support
If you require any assistance with refreshing or updating your information, please just call the Support Centre on 0191 691 3729 (Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm) or send an email to necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net. An updated Provider Support Pack has been circulated to providers, containing useful information and tips. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
5. Personalised Care Virtual Training – Shared Decision Making 19 January 2023 (information for Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
Personalised Care Training will take place on Thursday 19 January 2023. This is a virtual training session on Teams. A flyer with more details has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
If you would like to attend there are 20 places and you will need to book via Eventbrite please see link below.