Care Provider Covid-19 Newsletter
September 2022
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Attachments for this bulletin are available for download online
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Visiting: Contact with relatives and friends is fundamental to care home residents’ health and wellbeing and visiting should be encouraged
The right to private and family life is a human right protected in law (Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights). In the event of an outbreak, each resident should be able to have one visitor at a time inside the care home. This visitor does not need to be the same person throughout the outbreak. They do not need to be a family member and could be a volunteer.
For information on visiting during an outbreak please see the two attachments for more information, the guidance COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care, with the visiting section highlighted.
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Save the date for the ultraviolet lightbox challenge!
After the great success of the event held at The Hollies Midsomer. We're giving you another opportunity to take ‘Ultraviolet Lightbox Challenge’ on the 28th October 2022, we look forward to seeing you, friends and family there.
Please see attached flyer to print off and display on your staff notice board.
In the meantime if you would like a refresher on hand hygiene please drop us an email at– IPC@bathnes.gov.uk we will be in contact to arrange a suitable day and time – your staff can take the ‘Ultraviolet Lightbox Challenge’.
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Supporting our residents hand hygiene
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As we are all aware hand hygiene is one of the most important procedures for preventing the spread of infection and using soap and water is gold standard.
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Staff have regular training and hand hygiene audits are carried out, but have you given any thought to the residents’ hand hygiene?
Some IPC teams in Somerset have provided hand hygiene training to staff to encourage and engage with residents to increase their hand hygiene, eg before leaving their rooms and on return, before tea and biscuits or any time they eat or drink etc Following on from the increase in training there appeared to be a reduction in the spread of infection.
Providers have found this to be particularly helpful with those residents who walk with purpose, however some residents will struggle with using soap and water or gel, so have you thought of using a foam alcohol hand sanitiser?
BANES IPC team are currently able to provide training for staff specifically aimed at supporting residents to maintain a good standard of hand hygiene.
Please email IPC@BATHNES.GOV.UK to book a training session.
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UKHSA Winter Prepardness Webinar held on 14th September
I hope you managed to attend the webinar held on the 14th September it was open to the whole of the South West and it was very well attended.
Please find attached copies of the presentations held on the day with the resources mentioned on the day. Please pass on and share with your staff.
The session was recorded and once we have a link we will send it to you.
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Current guidance
Please refer to the links below for full details.
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Updated guidance
COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care link - Updated 24 August 2022.
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Asymptomatic Testing
Changes made:
Updated guidance on asymptomatic testing which will come into force on 31st August 2022. This reflects policy changes that remove guidance for staff to conduct regular asymptomatic testing and remove guidance for visitors providing personal care to test asymptomatically.
Updated discharge from hospital advice to make clear that the period of isolation is continuous and does not restart moving between services. Removed the document ‘Summary of changes to COVID-19 guidance to adult social care providers’. All IPC guidance on COVID-19 for adult social care settings is in the document in the link above.
Accompanying fact sheet available which has useful tables – particularly around testing of admissions etc.
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Testing for Single Cases
Rapid response testing in care homes and high-risk extra care and supported living:
If one or more positive cases (staff or resident) are found in a care home, or high-risk extra care and supported living setting, then daily rapid LFD testing should be conducted for 5 consecutive days for all staff working on those days. This is not extended if further positive cases are found within the 5 days. Continue testing, (as per the flow chart attached and delivered) but do not extend the rapid response testing beyond day 5.
Only the staff working in the setting over the rapid response testing period need to be tested; those not working during this period do not need to be tested. You should not bring people into work to get tested on their non-working days.
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Outbreak testing for two or more positive cases within a care setting
Just a reminder of the testing required in accordance with current government guidelines with two or more positive cases within a setting:
If you are advised to initiate whole home outbreak testing, in addition to completing rapid response testing for staff, all staff and residents should conduct both an LFD test and a PCR test on day 0 of the outbreak and another LFD test and PCR test between days 4 and 7. The LFD test will allow you to identify and isolate the most infectious cases immediately whilst awaiting PCR results, therefore reducing the risk of the virus spreading.
Please see attached Testing Flow Chart and you will have received a hand delivered laminated copy
If you have any questions or queries, please email IPC@bathnes.gov.uk and one of the team will get back to you.
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Current guidance on mask wearing
Mask wearing for visitors
A face mask when visiting a care home is still a requirement for visitors, particularly when moving through the home. Individual approaches may be needed as the wearing of face masks may cause distress to some residents. In circumstances where wearing a face mask causes distress to a resident, face masks may be removed when the visit is not in a communal area of the care home. Removal of the mask in non-communal areas may also be considered following a risk assessment if it is hindering communication, or in the case that the visitor is eating or drinking. However, other mitigations should be considered, including limiting close contact, increased ventilation (while maintaining a comfortable temperature)
You will have received a hand delivered laminated copy if you If you would like to print off a poster to remind visitors to wear a mask please see attached or email the IPC Team
Mask wearing for staff
Face masks should be worn by all care workers and encouraged for visitors in care settings and when providing care in people’s own homes, irrespective of whether the person being cared for is known or suspected to have COVID-19 or not. This is sometimes referred to as ‘universal masking’ or ‘source control’ and is a means of preventing any spread of infection from the mask wearer.
The guidance for adult social care has not changed and mask wearing is still required. Until any changes are announced all the current guidance and IPC measures still apply.
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Admission During an Outbreak
Care homes who wish to take admissions during this time should follow the B&NES Council Discharge Process for admission of patients to care homes during periods of outbreak and complete the BNES Council Care Home Admission risk-assessment, to ensure that it is safe to accept the admission for all concerned.
The Local Authority Public Health Team, Commissioner for Adult Social Care and the Infection, Prevention and Control Team are available to provide support and advice to aid this process.
The purpose of the process and risk assessment is to assure confidence for the resident, their family, your staff and current residents of safety, during this period of high community rates of COVID-19 infection.
Please note that as per the guidance the final decision to accept an admission lies with the Registered Care Manager.
If you are unsure about whether the admission/discharge is a known Covid contact we would recommend you isolate them for 10 days, with the option of release early as per the guidance.
Please contact the IP&C team if you want to take an admission if any of the following apply:
- You are currently under outbreak restrictions
- The admission/discharge is Covid positive
- The admission/discharge is a known Covid contact
If you have and questions or queries please email IPC@bathnes.gov.uk and one of the team will get back to you.
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Equipment And Technology Event
An equipment and technology event is taking place at Paulton Village Hall on Thursday 27 Octrober. The event is from 10am - 3pm and providers are welcome to drop in at any time.
Currently we have representation from:
- PainChek - Usinf AI technology to support a modern pain assessment framework, PainChek will identify the presence of pain even when it's not obvious.
- RITA - Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities is an innovative, evidence based, state of the art digital therapy system which allows residents to use apps, game and other leisure activities.
- Log my Care/Ablyss/eMAR - Electronic Care Plans and Electronic Medical Records.
- A number of seating specialists who will be demonstrating Tilt and Space chairs.
- Furniture providers to include chairs and hoists.
Community OT's will be available and will be holding demonstrations and question and answer sessions on seating issues.
An invite should have been circulated to you but if you have not received this please feel free to contact ruth.jones16@nhs.net who will be happy to forward this to you. We look forward to seeing you on the day.
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Safeguarding training
Safeguarding Training is also available and details of how to join can be found on the link Bath & North East Somerset Community Safety and Safeguarding Partnership website.
Managers will need to create an account as detailed in the attached booking guide which can be found on the safeguarding training section.
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Lost property following discharge
We have listened to the Care Home managers concerns about the discharge’s from the RUH and issues around missing items; We have worked with the RUH and have organised a plan for RUH to support care homes following discharge. To be used for those discharged within the last 48 hours.
The plan will be two numbers, unfortunately it isn’t possible to cover with one number. They are:
In hours 9-4 Mon-Friday will be the discharge team admin – 01225 825698. The admin team will take the calls and allocate the task to a DLN on duty who will then follow up, action and liaise with the home.
Out of Hours – Clinical Site team 07766 498314. If the issue isn’t immediately urgent and the task can wait until the morning, this will be handed over to the DLN team. If urgent the CSM team will action.
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Survey
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone for the last two and a half years. Life has changed for many of us as we were asked to self-isolate, wear protective masks, respect social distance rules, and move our lives online.
As restrictions have eased and life returns to a new normality, BEMSCA are conducting some research to better understand what impact COVID has had on people, both physically and mentally. They are particularly keen to hear from care home staff and residents from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
We’d be very grateful if you could share the attached with your staff and any care home residents and encourage them to fill out BEMSCA’s health and wellbeing survey (QR code in the attached document). The survey will remain open until 31 October 2022.
Results from the survey will be shared with BEMSCA trustees and membership, Public Health B&NES and other appropriate stakeholders within this project. BEMSCA can also provide a hard copy of the questionnaire if preferred.
Please contact michaelautonconsultancy@gmail.com if you would like further information or would like a hard copy of the questionnaire.
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Flu
All frontline care colleagues are urged to book their appointments and keep themselves, their colleagues and those they care, for safe, well and protected as winter approaches.
Claire Armstrong, Director of Adult Social Care Delivery and Covid-19 Response, Department of Health and Social Care, wrote to care providers in August, explaining the importance of vaccine uptake for both COVID-19 and flu jabs.
To help promote the benefits of vaccination to colleagues, visit the Campaign Resource Centre, where you’ll find Q&A leaflets, posters, social media content and stickers, all free to download and share.
Flu vaccination is important because:
- while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
Who can have the flu vaccine?
Check eligibility here
Where to get the flu vaccine
You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
- your GP surgery
- a pharmacy offering the service – if you're aged 18 or over
- some maternity services if you're pregnant
Sometimes, you might be offered the flu vaccine at a hospital appointment.
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Covid
There's still time to grab your first, second or booster doses. Anyone who is eligible can book their vaccination appointment online (new appointments are added frequently) or find a walk-in clinic on the NHS website. You need to be registered with a GP (or call 119) to book online. You do not need to book or be registered with a GP to use a walk-in clinic.
Check your eligibility here for 1st and 2nd Covid-19 vaccination and here for the Covid 19 booster vaccination.
Upcoming Walk in Covid-19 vaccination clinics:
Bath Citadel Salvation Army,
Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 1XE
Thursday 6th October 11-5pm
Bath City Football Club,
Twerton, BA2 1DB
Thursday 20th October 11-5.30pm
Saturday 29th October 12.30-5pm
‘Grab-a-Cab’
‘Grab a Cab’ is open to anyone living in Bath and North East Somerset who is having difficulties getting to a COVID-19 vaccination site. The ‘Grab a Cab’ initiative means residents can now hire a free taxi to get to their vaccination appointment.
To use the service, the COVID-19 vaccination must be pre-booked and the service user will need to show evidence of the appointment to the taxi driver. Evidence can include a screenshot on a mobile phone or tablet, or a printout.
To book the taxi, the person will need to call V-Cars on 01225 46 46 46 and say they would like to book a taxi to a vaccination site on account quoting:
- Account number: BA-TTV 01
- Account name: Grab a Cab
- Password: Vaccination site
Once the taxi is booked, the taxi driver will pick the person up and take them to their appointment. Please be aware that the return journey must be within an hour of the appointment time.
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DHSC Autumn flu And Covid-19 vaccination data collection
You may have already received this information. Details of the changes for the Capacity Tracker in relation to Covid 19 Vaccination and Flu Data are listed on the attachment.
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Mental Health Campaign – Lift someone out of loneliness
Feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point and it can have a huge impact on our wellbeing. It’s important to remember that these feelings can pass and that there are lots of ways we can help each other too.
Fancy a cuppa? Fancy a walk? Sometimes reaching out to each other with as little as three words can make a big difference.
As part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are encouraging people to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness’ by taking a simple action to help someone who may be feeling lonely. If we do this regularly, we can all help to lift each other up.
Find out how you can help to lift someone out of loneliness.
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Looking after your wellbeing
With the ongoing pressures we are facing to deliver critical services, we would like to remind you that help and support is available for health and social care staff in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW).
The BSW Wellbeing Matters team can provide direct access to psychologists and registered mental health clinicians who will use their expertise to help you access support. The BSW Wellbeing Matters Team provides consultation, advice and support to individuals and teams and can help services think about the wellbeing of their staff and offer advice and support as appropriate.
To contact the team to request support, please call 0800 953 9003 and leave a message on the answer phone or alternatively by email - awp.bswwellbeinghub@nhs.net
To find out more about the BSW Wellbeing Matters service visit: http://www.awp.nhs.uk/advice-support/bsw-wellbeing-matters/
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ASC_Commissioning@bathnes.gov.uk
Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JQ
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