What's New Bulletin 60 - 23 September 2021
This is the sixtieth weekly 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.
COVID RELATED INFORMATION
- Thank you message from Councillor Paulette Hamilton to social care workers (Information to all providers)
- REMINDER Business continuity briefing for care homes - mitigating risk of possible staff shortages from 11 November - 24 September 2021 (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
- New Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: booster dose resources (information for all providers)
- Updated guidance: COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable (Information for all providers)
IN OTHER NEWS
- REMINDER Open Book 2021 exercise (information for all providers contracted with Birmingham City Council)
- West Midlands Care Association virtual coffee catch ups – area based dates (information for all Birmingham providers)
COVID 19 RELATED INFORMATION
1.Thank you message from Councillor Paulette Hamilton to social care workers (Information to all providers)
Councillor Paulette Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, has issued a video thanking all social care workers for their hard work and dedication over the last 18 months. You can watch the video below:
Thank you to social care staff
2.REMINDER Business continuity briefing for care homes - mitigating risk of possible staff shortages from 11 November - 24 September 2021 (information for Birmingham Care Homes)
Thank you to all of you who have engaged with Commissioners over the last few weeks by submitting information on vaccine uptake in your home and to those of you that were able to attend one of the Council’s Corporate Resilience Team’s briefing sessions this week. The next stage of the project is to ensure all providers have robust business continuity plans to mitigate any risk associated with potential shortages of staff on 11 November.
In the week commencing 27 September, all care home providers will be asked to submit their business continuity plans, we will be able to give you a template if required and also some prompts to consider. Commissioners will require that business continuity plans are returned within 5 business days.
Commissioning Officers will review each business continuity plan before the end of October and work with you to ensure plans are robust and to identify any support that the Council or partners may be able to offer.
3. New Guidance: COVID-19 vaccination: booster dose resources (information for all providers)
The government have issues information on the booster dose for eligible individuals. The full guidance can be found below:
COVID-19 vaccination: booster dose resources
4. Updated guidance: COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable (Information for all providers)
This guidance includes information for protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19). It has been updated to reflect the end of the shielding programme. The full guidance can be read below:
COVID-19: guidance on protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
IN OTHER NEWS
5. REMINDER Open Book 2021 exercise (information for all providers contracted with Birmingham City Council)
Further to previous bulletins, we want to take this opportunity to remind you of the Open Book 2021 cost gathering and analysis exercise for Care Homes and CQC Registered Home Support and Supported Living Locations. Further details and instructions, as well as the care cost templates, have been sent to providers. We encourage you to complete and return these. If you don't have copies, please email marketintelligence@birmingham.gov.uk
Care homes and CQC Registered Home Support and Supported Living Locations contracted to Birmingham City Council are reminded that the exercise is a contractual requirement.
Completed forms should be submitted to OpenBook2021@birmingham.gov.uk by 3 October 2021.
If you do not think you will be able to meet the 3 October 2021 deadline please email OpenBook2021@birmingham.gov.uk immediately to inform us and let us know the reason why.
In addition to the instructions and in-form guidance you can email us at OpenBook2021@birmingham.gov.uk with any questions or clarifications, and we will do our best to support you.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
6. West Midlands Care Association virtual coffee catch ups – area based dates (information for all Birmingham providers)
West Midlands Care Association is hosting a virtual coffee catch up, to give providers the opportunity to get together with their colleagues, within the Birmingham area, to discuss recent goings-on in the industry, offering support and listening ears in an informal, safe environment. Join WMCA for the session covering your area, by clicking on the link below.
Thursday 30 September:
1pm - 1:30pm- Yardley/Hodge Hill
2:30pm - 3pm- Selly Oak/Edgbaston
3:30pm - 3pm- Longbridge/Northfield