What's New Bulletin 140 - 13 April 2023
This is edition 140 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 Information about the roll out of the spring 2023 COVID vaccination campaign (information for Birmingham and Solihull older adult care homes)
- Message from the Department of Health and Social Care: Adult Social Care data enforcement commenced 1 April 2023 NEXT DEADLINE 14 APRIL 2023 (information for all providers)
- Government sets out next steps to reform adult social care (information for all providers)
- Emergency alert system launches to keep people safe – testing 23 April 2023 (information for all providers)
- Skills for Care update (Information for all providers)
- Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System Care Home Lifting Cushion Expansion Project (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
- Infection Prevention Control Champions Book Launch drop in sessions – various April 2023 dates starting 17 April 2023 (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
- People for Public Services would like to invite you to its next meeting on 18 April 2023 at 11:00am (information for all Birmingham and contracted providers)
- Help shape the future Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment reports 21 April 2023 survey deadline – technical issues resolved (information for all providers)
- Infection Prevention Control Care Homes Champion Training 5 May 2023 (information for all Birmingham Care Homes)
- REMINDER Important update about the tendering of care homes, supported living and home support sensory services for Birmingham City Council (information for all providers)
1. REMINDER Information about the roll out of the spring 2023 COVID vaccination campaign (information for Birmingham and Solihull older adult care homes)
Care Home Consent Form, COVID Vaccination Service Clinical Screening Form, and Care Homes Checklist Mar 23 documents have been circulated to providers. If you don't have copies, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk - these documents support the roll out of the spring 2023 COVID vaccination campaign, which commences on 3 April for older adult care homes. From 17 April, 75s and over and immunosuppressed residents, are also included. The campaign will end on 30 June.
The following cohorts are not included in the upcoming campaign:
- Under 75s except immunosuppressed
- Non-older adults care homes
- Social and health care staff
It is imperative that care home staff ensure consenting begins as soon as possible to avoid potential delays on the day of visit.
2. Message from the Department of Health and Social Care: Adult Social Care data enforcement commenced 1 April 2023 NEXT DEADLINE 14 APRIL 2023 (information for all providers)
Adult Social Care data enforcement action commenced on 1 April 2023. This means adult social care providers who fail to submit their data through the Capacity Tracker each month could be issued with a financial penalty. The guidance on how to comply with the information provisions in the Health and Care Act 2022 and how they will be enforced is available online below:
Health and Care Act 2022: adult social care information provisions
We encourage all providers to read through the guidance to ensure they are aware of what is expected and how to be compliant. If providers have any further questions or need advice, please contact the Team at capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk.
The formal notice which details the data that needs to be submitted can be found below:
Adult social care provider information provisions: formal notice
Collection windows open on the eighth of each month and close on the fourteenth of each month unless this falls on a weekend or bank holiday, when the final day for submission moves to the next working day. To be compliant, providers must submit their data during the collection window
Updating Capacity Tracker
A system generated email is sent to all providers registered on Capacity Tracker as notice that the monthly collection window is open. The email contains two links:
- Directs the user to the Capacity Tracker to review, update, and save their information
- Enables the user to provide a 'nil' return or to save the previously updated information
Another system generated email reminder is sent 48 hours prior to the collection window closing, to those who have not completed any update.
If a provider believes their type of service do not have a duty to provide data but have been approached by our delivery partners NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) or North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) to do so, please submit a 'nil' return as set out above.
If a provider needs assistance updating the Capacity Tracker or need general advice and support, please contact the Support Centre on 0191 691 3729 or via email
The full list of frequently asked questions, including contact information to obtain guidance and support, can be found below:
FAQ – Adult Social Care provider data enforcement
3. Government sets out next steps to reform adult social care (information for all providers)
People who receive care, staff and providers will benefit from a refreshed plan to bolster the adult social care workforce, speed up discharge from hospital and accelerate the use of technology in the care sector over the next two years.
The update builds on commitments outlined in the People at the Heart of Care white paper, published in December 2021, to support career progression in the sector and make sure those who receive care receive it in the right place at the right time.
In her latest blog, Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults, explains how the values, experiences and insights of her profession have informed this latest phase of reform.
Read ‘Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care’ here;
Adult social care system reform: next steps to put People at the Heart of Care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
4. Emergency alert system launches to keep people safe – testing 23 April 2023 (information for all providers)
A new emergency alert system has launched, allowing the Government and emergency services to send alerts directly to mobile phones when there is risk to life.
Launch of life-saving public emergency alerts
Alerts include details of areas impacted and instructions on how to respond. A UK-wide test takes place on Sunday 23 April, following successful trials in Reading and Suffolk.
Some groups, including care providers, care home residents and others living or working in specialised settings, may choose to opt out to protect those who are easily distressed or confused. However, the Government recommends everyone participates to help keep individuals and communities safe.
Care providers can use this toolkit to share further details of the Emergency Alerts campaign.
National Emergency Alerts Toolkit
5. Skills for Care update (Information for all providers)
The latest bulletin of forthcoming events, opportunities and resources which Skills for Care and our partners are promoting, has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
6. Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System Care Home Lifting Cushion Expansion Project (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
Birmingham and Solihull (BSol) Integrated Care System are just completing the falls prevention lifting cushion pilot. The aim of the pilot was to provide 60 older adult care homes in Birmingham & Solihull with the means and mechanisms to manage falls in a more person-centred way by using post falls risk assessment (istumble) and lifting cushions. Birmingham City University are also conducting a research project alongside this work to evidence the impact and explore barriers to using the lifting device. Lifting cushion devices are a means of manually assisting a person off the floor, this manual handling item therefore is not available through local equipment stores service.
Early preliminary findings are showing such a positive impact, in terms of lifting residents off the floor, freeing up staff time and reduction in non-harm 999 calls for falls. BSol Integrated Care System are pleased to confirm that we have successfully secured further funding to enable an expansion project to provide lifting devices and bespoke falls training to all remaining 120 older adult care homes in Birmingham that did not participate in the pilot.
Learning from the pilot means that the bespoke falls training and delivering of the lifting device will be face to face in each care home, this will enable as many staff to attend as possible. The care home will also be offered a flexible morning, afternoon or early evening 2-hour training slot.
The training has been co-produced by BCHC Care Home Academy and will be delivered by Mangar Health. Training objectives will cover the safe management of falls including istumble app, and the safe method of using the Mangar Elk lifting cushion to lift residents off the floor.
Mangar Health will be contacting each home to arrange the training session, if you would like to register your interest to participate in the first wave or would like further information, then please contact nhsbsolicb.communitytransformation@nhs.net.
7. Infection Prevention Control Champions Book Launch drop in sessions – various April 2023 dates starting 17 April 2023 (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
The IPC Care Home Team are excited to announce the launch of their IPC Workbook. It will be a valuable training resource, and a perfect recap of the knowledge and skills you developed from your Champions Training. Please come along to one of the drop-in sessions to collect your copy.
For further information please contact ipcdata@nhs.net or call 0121466 6550, Option 5.
8. People for Public Services would like to invite you to its next meeting on 18 April 2023 at 11:00am (information for all Birmingham and contracted providers)
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the organisation responsible for regulating and inspecting health and social care providers in England. As part of its duties, the CQC will be inspecting the services provided by Birmingham City Council’s Adult Social Care in 2023. Part of the inspection will include checking how well Adult Social Care include members of the public in shaping and delivering services.
Here are some examples of how Adult Social Care includes people:
- When a social worker carries out an assessment, the person is included in deciding what help they need.
- After receiving initial support, the person is contacted to check if the service is working and agree if any changes are required jointly.
- There is a group of citizens who meet monthly with managers to help improve the quality and standards in adult social care.
- A regular survey is undertaken to citizens in receipt of services to check they are happy with the service and if any improvements can be made.
The CQC may also look at accessibility for engagement, for example; how easy can citizens get involved and are provisions made for support such as; having hearing loops, disabled access, information accessible for people with visual impairments etc.
If you have any ideas or comments on how we can involve people in adult social care differently or better, we want you to join us!
To book a place, please click the link below:
People for Public Services 18 April 11am to 12:30pm
If you are unable to book a place, please do not hesitate to contact us via our emailgetinvolved@birmingham.gov.uk
9. Help shape the future Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment reports 21 April 2023 survey deadline – technical issues resolved (information for all providers)
The CQC were aware that when they previously shared this survey, some people were unable to submit a response. They would like to apologise for this. These technical issues have now been fixed and everyone will be able to submit their response below.
Later in 2023 the CQC will implement their new regulatory approach. The new approach will give the CQC the ability to make judgements about quality more regularly, instead of only after an inspection as they do today. They will use evidence from a variety of sources and look at any number of quality statements to do this.
CQC revised plan and approach for transformation
The CQC will continue to describe the quality of care using 4 ratings: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate. In forming a view of quality, the CQC use a scoring framework to enable them to make consistent judgements. The scores will translate into one of the ratings for the key questions (safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led). Scores will also be the basis for the CQCs’ view of quality at an overall service level.
To support this new approach the CQC are changing the way they present reports and ratings on their website.
View an example of how the CQC change the way they will present reports and ratings
The CQC would like your feedback on their proposals for these changes and they will use this feedback to inform further changes.
Share your feedback by 21 April 2023 through the following survey;
CQC Survey on proposed changes
10. Infection Prevention Control Care Homes Champion Training 5 May 2023 (information for all Birmingham Care Homes)
To celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day the Infection Prevention Control Team are holding an interactive IPC Champions Training Event.
Does your Care Home have an IPC Champion?
We would like to have a Champion in every Care Home. If you are interested in making a difference within your workplace, creating a positive change for your residents, staff, and visitors, then make sure you book early to secure a place. Previous IPC Champions do not need to attend.
A flyer with further information has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
To book a place, call 0121 466 6550 or email ipcdata@nhs.net
11. REMINDER Important update about the tendering of care homes, supported living and home support sensory services for Birmingham City Council (information for all providers)
The indicative timetables for the assessment and award of each of the above contracts has changed. The Council is now working towards contract award dates of no later than 24 April 2023 although it should be noted that this date is indicative and could be subject to change.
The Fee Structure, in Schedule 14 of the Flexible Contracting Arrangement, sets out details of fees payable from 3 April 2023. If there is a delay in awarding the Flexible Contracting Arrangement, the intention will be to backdate the 2023/2024 fee rates for providers awarded a 2023 Flexible Contracting Arrangement/Framework Agreement as part of the initial opening of the Flexible Contracting Arrangement.
The contract award process will be via a letter emailed to you by no later than 24 April (noting this may be subject to change). The details of this mailbox will be circulated nearer the time to allow you to identify this important correspondence.
Your application will continue to show the status “Awaiting Approval” or “In-Review” within the CareMatch Portal until contracts are awarded.
The initial tender period for the Flexible Contracting Arrangements for the provision of Care Homes with and without Nursing Services and Care and Support (Supported Living) is temporarily closed pending the outcome of this initial procurement. The Flexible Contracting Arrangement application process is anticipated to reopen 24 April 2023 for the remainder of the contract term. New applications/reapplications can be made at this time. Providers will be notified when the tender reopens via the Tender Opportunities page on Shaping the Market and this weekly ‘What’s New’ provider bulletin, which is also published below;
Tender Opportunities page on Shaping the Market
Care services providers' bulletin (birmingham.gov.uk)
The tender for the Framework Agreement for the Provision of Home Support Sensory Loss is closed and will not re-open.
Please note that Commissioners and members of the Market Intelligence Team will not be able to respond to queries about individual applications whilst the regulated procurement process is ongoing.