Another weekly update from our team of care specialists. It includes updates on Coronavirus, home testing kits, PPE providers and more. Download here!
Alternatively, you can read the update here:
COVID-19: Home testing kits now easier to order – Press Release 18th February
The Government has introduced a number of new accessibility improvements to the home testing programme to make it easier to get tested. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Testing for adult day care centre workers – Published 18th February
The Government has published guidance on how open day care centres can provide weekly PCR testing for their staff. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund: Round 2 – Updated 19th February
The Government has updated this guidance with clarification on funding being used for reasonable administrative costs associated with two criteria and claims for those criteria being accepted as the choice of the local authority. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Care home residents to be allowed one visitor as part of cautious easing of lockdown – Press Release 20th February
The Government has announced every care home resident will be allowed one regular indoor visitor from March 8th. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Prime Minister to publish roadmap for cautiously easing COVID restrictions – Press Release 22nd February
The Prime Minister will announce the Government’s roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions across England today. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Lateral flow testing of visitors in care homes– Updated 22nd February
The Government guidance has been updated to include the pause on LFD-enabled visits to care homes and how indoor visits can continue for contact free visiting. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Prime Minister sets out roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions– Press Release 22nd February
The Government has announced its roadmap to easing the lockdown in England following a four-step approach. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – local contacts for providers – Updated 22nd February
This guidance has been updated with the Local Authority lists now including ‘extra resident unpaid carers’ and ‘education and childcare services’. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Response Spring 2021 – Updated 22nd February
The Government has issued guidance setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown in England. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Workforce capacity fund for adult social care – Updated 23rd February
Annex F has been updated in relation to the reporting point 2 template. For more information click here.
COVID-19: PCR home test kit instructions – Updated 23rd February
Two new documents have been added including a guide for people with visual impairments. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Getting Tested – Updated 23rd February
Documents have been updated including on return box tracking and updated sample swabbing instructions. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Vitamin D for Vulnerable Groups – Updated 24th February
Guidance has been updated as the opt-in service for vitamin D has now closed. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Letter from the Health and Social Care Secretary on COVID-19 vaccinations in people with learning disabilities – Published 24th February
The letter highlights that everyone on the Learning Disability Register is invited for vaccination as part of Cohort 6. For more information click here.
COVID-19: PCR home test kit instructions – Updated 24th February
A link has been added to the RNIB website for additional formats including audio and braille. For more information click here.
COVID-19: Community testing for people without symptoms of coronavirus – Updated 24th February
Areas have been added to the list for community testing. For more information click here.
CQC – Supporting urgent and emergency care during winter – Updated 24th February
This month’s COVID Insight Report looks at how urgent and emergency care services have been affected by the pandemic during winter. For more information click here.
Policy Updates
All coronavirus policies and Resource Centre documents continue to be reviewed and updated in light of Government updates.
A new Care Home Visitor Blog has been produced following the announcement of residents being allowed one visitor from 8th March.