What's New Bulletin 147 - 1 June 2023
This is edition 147 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.
- DEADLINE 30 June 2023 to get your first or second COVID vaccinations (information for all providers)
- Heat-health alert service & summer preparedness (information for all providers)
- Delegation of healthcare activities in care settings: new guiding principles for safe, dignified, person-centred care (information for all providers)
- Capacity Tracker System Refinements (information for all providers)
- Capacity Tracker provider training dates for June and July 2023 (information for all providers)
- Care Data Matters webinar 9 June 2023: your chance to catch up on progress and ask questions (information for all providers)
- Digital Social Care Marketplace Event 21 June 2023 (information for all CQC registered care providers in Birmingham and Solihull)
- Blogwatch: making digital tools part of everyday life and care (information for all providers)
1. DEADLINE 30 June 2023 to get your first or second COVID vaccinations (information for all providers)
NHS COVID vaccines have saved countless lives, and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions. There are two main changes to the vaccination offer, we need to make our communities aware of:
- This spring, the NHS is offering a further vaccination to those at highest risk of severe illness from COVID. This is people aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2023), people with a weakened immune system, and residents of care homes for older adults.
- 30 June 2023 is the end date of the current offer of first and second COVID vaccinations for everyone aged 5 on or before 31 August last year. Anyone who hasn’t had any COVID-19 vaccinations, but would like to have both their first and second does, needs to book and have their first dose on our before 30 June 2023. After 30 June 2023, you will not be able to get your first or second dose unless you are at higher risk from severe COVID-19.
Those who are eligible for a COVID vaccination can book using the NHS App or visit the Covid vaccination website below, or call 119 for free.
We ask that home support providers in particular share this information about the opportunities for vaccination across Birmingham and Solihull with service users aged 70 and over.
2. Heat-health alert service & summer preparedness (information for all providers)
Today marks the start of the heat-health alert service, which forms part of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan for England. This plan aims to protect individuals and communities from the health effects of adverse weather by raising awareness and sharing guidance. You can sign up to receive heat-health alerts via email here.
Adverse Weather and Health Plan for England
Sign up for heat-health alerts
Paying attention to hot weather is essential. Whilst it is a significant health risk for many, simple preventative actions can avoid many deaths, illnesses and injuries associated with the heat.
Please share the following resources with your staff, service users and partner networks to help ensure that there is ongoing awareness and preparedness during this time:
Age UK
Age UK has produced guidance on staying cool and well in a heatwave, including information on skin health, dehydration, overheating and heat exhaustion.
Birmingham City Council
BCC has produced guidance on staying safe during severe weather, including dedicated information on heatwaves.
Birmingham City Council Guidance
Canal and River Trust
The Canal & River Trust has produced summer water safety guidance, including information on depth perception, hidden dangers and waterborne diseases.
Canal and River Trust guidance
Met Office
The Met Office has produced a range of seasonal advice to help deal with the worst weather throws at us, including guidance on travel, your home, health and wellbeing, your community and being weather ready for summer.
NHS
The NHS has produced seasonal health guidance, including information on sunscreen, sun safety and how to cope in hot weather
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
The UKHSA has produced guidance and resources to help people stay safe in hot weather, including information on staying connected, being prepared, keeping well, finding somewhere cool and being aware of the signs of heat-related illness.
BCC have also translated UKHSA ‘beat the heat’ guidance posters in multiple community languages.
UKHSA keep cool at home checklist
Translated UKHSA ‘ Beat the Heat’ Guidance
UK Air Information Resource (UK-AIR)
Hot and sunny weather can lead to increased air pollution. UK-AIR produces daily air pollution forecasts and associated health advice.
3. Delegation of healthcare activities in care settings: new guiding principles for safe, dignified, person-centred care
The Department of Health and Social Care and Skills for Care, working closely with our sector partners, have recently published voluntary guiding principles to support person-centred, safe and effective delegation of healthcare activities to care colleagues.
Delegated healthcare activities - voluntary guiding principles
A delegated healthcare activity involves regulated healthcare professionals, including nurses, nursing associates or occupational therapists, delegating actions, often of a clinical nature, to paid care colleagues. These activities can include helping a person to manage their insulin administration, attending to wound care and overseeing mental health support.
Delegations of this nature have been happening for several years. The principles build on this work and can be adapted locally to complement existing best practice. Care colleagues are encouraged to review and adopt them in all eligible care settings in England.
4. Capacity Tracker System Refinements (information for all providers)
There are a number of upcoming changes being made to the Capacity Tracker;
- Reducing Operational Support Data Collection – As part of the commitment to continually review the information collected from providers & reduce burden where possible, some Qs will be removed.
- Covid-19 Outbreak Monitoring - In line with Government guidance, outbreaks will be deemed as recovered after 5 days if there have been no further cases identified.
- System Automated Reminder Emails (in relation to Enforcement) – Having listened to user feedback, we are making changes to some of the automated emails that are sent to users.
- Integrated Report Refinements -Changes some of reports will be made to reflect the changes to the Operational Support data collection, along with changes recommended as part of user feedback.
- CQC contact details - To support providers, we will be including CQC contact details at various points in Capacity Tracker.
- If a provider is no longer active – please contact CQC to de-register
- If a provider is missing from CT & needs to be onboarded – please contact CQC as we cannot create provider accounts!
- CQC National Customer Service: 03000 616161, enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Click the link below to learn more about the above points.
5. Capacity Tracker provider training dates for June and July 2023 (information for all providers)
30 minute Demonstration Q&A Sessions are available for those new to the Capacity Tracker, or in need of a refresh. The sessions will include how the Capacity Tracker updated screens will look following the introduction of mandatory completion.
To find dates and links to attend the Demonstration Q&A sessions, please log into the Capacity Tracker (link below), go to the Help menu, select 'Resource Centre', then 'Events, and then 'Provider Training Sessions'.
If you have questions or queries regarding how to update the data and where to report specific scenarios, please contact capacitytracker-guidance@dhsc.gov.uk
If you are experiencing technical issues with Capacity Tracker, please contact necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net or the Capacity Tracker Support Centre on 0191-691-3729.
6. Care Data Matters webinar 9 June 2023: your chance to catch up on progress and ask questions (information for all providers)
Care Data Matters, the draft roadmap for improving how social care data is collected, shared and analysed, is ultimately about saving and enhancing lives.
Those of you with questions and concerns about provider data enforcement are invited to attend a webinar on Friday 9 June 2023 at 2pm - see link below This session, held over Microsoft Teams by Department of Health and Social Care colleagues, will seek to alleviate concerns, provide updates on progress and allow attendees to ask questions.
Care Data Matters webinar - 9 June 2023
In the meantime, make sure you continue to submit your data through the Capacity Tracker, each month.
Guidance on Capacity Tracker data submission
7. Digital Social Care Marketplace Event 21 June 2023 (information for all CQC registered care providers in Birmingham and Solihull)
West Midlands Care Association have organised a Digital Social Care Marketplace Event on 21 June 2023 10:am – 2 pm where providers can meet assured suppliers, discover the benefits of digital and discuss funding support. A flyer with further information and details of how to book has been circulated to providers. If you don't have a copy, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
8. Blogwatch: making digital tools part of everyday life and care (information for all providers)
Most of us use digital technology in some way in our daily lives. Whether it’s doing our weekly food shop via an app on the phone, wearing a watch to track how many steps we are taking each day, or a using a smart speaker to remind us to take the roast out on time. It’s no different in the adult social care sector and often the same technologies and gadgets we use at home can also be used to support how we care for people.
In her latest blog, Alice Ainsworth, Deputy Director for Social Care Technology Policy, DHSC, explains how "every day IT" can help deliver even better care for those who need it most.
Visit the DHSC Social Care blog to find out more;
How can digital technologies support care? - Social care (blog.gov.uk)