What's New Bulletin 164 - 28 September 2023
This is edition 164 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.
1. REMINDER COVID-19 variant and IPC update (information for all providers)
2. UPDATE GUIDANCE Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement (information for all providers)
3. Care Quality Commission (CQC) updates on Regulatory Transformation (information for all providers)
4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement (information for all providers.
5. Capacity Tracker Training dates October 2023 – November 2023 and support (information for all providers)
6. CONSULTATION Easy read version of the Oliver McGowan consultation now available: deadline 16 October 2023 (information for all providers)
7. Care Quality Commissioner (CQC) Provider webinar: Introducing quality statements and evidence categories 12 October 2023 (information for all providers)
8. REMINDER Webinar invite: NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme October 2023 (information for all providers)
9. Birmingham and Solihull Nurses and Clinical Leads Network for Nurses working in social care (information for all Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
1. REMINDER COVID-19 variant and IPC update (information for all providers)
Earlier this month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an update on the COVID-19 BA.2.86 variant. A small number of cases included an outbreak in a Norfolk care home, identified by PCR testing of staff and residents.
Update on the COVID-19 BA.2.86 variant
The majority of residents and all staff recovered, but in light of these and other cases, there are a number of measures care colleagues should take. Vaccinations, COVID-19 treatments and following IPC guidance remain the best ways to protect against infection.
To support colleagues and people receiving care, the government has brought forward the NHS Autumn/Winter vaccination programme. This is the best way to boost immunity, limit infections and protect each other.
NHS Autumn/Winter vaccination programme
2. UPDATE GUIDANCE Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement (information for all providers)
This guidance sets out how to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in adult social care settings in England. Information about autumn booster vaccinations, hospital discharge and reporting positive test results for those eligible for treatments has been updated.
The full guidance can be found below;
Infection prevention and control in adult social care: COVID-19 supplement
3. Care Quality Commission (CQC) updates on Regulatory Transformation (information for all providers)
The September updates around the CQC regulatory transformation can be found below;
Regulatory transformation – update September 2023 - Care Quality Commission (cqc.org.uk)
Have your say on the CQC’s guidance on the types of evidence they will look for as part of assessing each quality statement. They have grouped different types of evidence under 6 evidence categories. Each category sets out the types of evidence the CQC will look at to understand:
·the quality of care being delivered
·the performance against each quality statement.
CQC guidance on evidence used in quality assessment
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4. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement (information for all providers)
The CQC have been working with providers and representative groups to understand their experience of innovation. Through a series of roundtables, surveys and pilot projects, they have looked at what works well and where they could do things differently to help providers who want to develop or adopt new ways of working.
This work helps the CQC to make sure services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care, and encourage care services to improve.
They have published a project report setting out what they have found, along with an innovation journey map and some example case studies.
This work has been funded by the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (GOV.UK) and the Department for Science Innovation and Technology.
Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (GOV.UK)
Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement
Press release: Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement
Project report: Capturing innovation to accelerate improvement
5. Capacity Tracker Training dates October 2023 – November 2023 and support (information for all providers)
The Capacity Tracker training schedules for October 2023 – November 2023 have been circulated to providers. If you don't have copies, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
Need Help?Provider Training Sessions are available - see below (once you are logged into the Capacity Tracker) - and remember to share these with colleagues who are also welcome to join our sessions!
Need Additional Support? Please contact our Support Centre, Mon - Fri (excluding Public Holidays) 8am - 5pm by phoning 0191 691 3729 or emailing necsu.capacitytracker@nhs.net
Please also refer to information and contact information relation to the Adult Social Care Information (Enforcement) Regulations 2022 mandatory data collection, which has been circulated to providers. If you don't have copies, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
6. CONSULTATION Easy read version of the Oliver McGowan consultation now available: deadline 16 October 2023 (information for all providers)
The Department of Health and Social Care have opened an easy read version of their consultation about the Oliver McGowan draft code of practice. The consultation asks people's views on the guidance on the training about learning disability and autism that health and social care services must give their staff.
The guidance looks at:
- what training staff need to get to follow the law
- what standards the training should follow
- why training is important
The consultation will close on 16 October 2023;
GOV.UK: Oliver McGowan draft code of practice (easy read) consultation
7. Care Quality Commissioner (CQC) Provider webinar: Introducing quality statements and evidence categories 12 October 2023 (information for all providers)
This webinar is the next instalment in the CQCs transformation series. In it, they will introduce their quality statements and evidence categories, and the role they play in the new regulatory approach.
The 1-hour session on Thursday 12 October 2023, from 3 to 4pm will be led by Dave James, Head of Policy – Adult Social Care and Amanda Hutchinson, Head of Regulatory Change. It will focus on example quality statements, to explore how the CQC will use evidence categories to identify specific sources of evidence to use in their assessments. Alongside the full provider guidance, this webinar will give you the information you need to understand the evidence the CQC will use to assess each of their new quality statements.
Registrations close at 12:00pm on Thursday 12 October 2023 and won't be able to accept any new registrations after this.
Can't make it? As the webinar will be recorded, you can watch or listen back to it when it is posted to the CQCs YouTube channel.
You can book your place below;
8. REMINDER Webinar invite: NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme October 2023 (information for all providers)
New dates have been added to this informative webinar series, which you can access at the link below. Discover the volunteer support available in adult social care, learn how to make referrals and take the opportunity to ask questions.
We also want to identify any additional volunteer roles which you believe could best support social care providers and individuals in receipt of care.
Complete this short survey to have your say
Sign up for the webinars below;
NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Webinar for Adult Social Care Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
9. Birmingham and Solihull Nurses and Clinical Leads Network for Nurses working in social care (information for all Birmingham and Solihull care homes)
The Birmingham and Solihull Nurses and Clinical Leads Network for Nurses working in social care met in early September 2023 and had a very informative meeting. There were many interesting presentations delivered at the meeting.
The network is a unique platform that brings together nurses working in social care across Birmingham and Solihull, providing a valuable opportunity for nurses to connect, share ideas and knowledge, and receive support and guidance from peers.
In addition to providing a space for peer-to-peer support and best practice sharing, our forum offers both national and regional updates, ensuring nurses stay up to date with the latest developments. The forum also provides a platform for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), helping our members to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise, and take their careers to the next level.
The date for the next virtual meeting is 30 November 2023, booking details can be found below;