Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Brief – 11 May 2020

Monday 11 May

Following on from the Prime Minister's 'lockdown speech' on Sunday evening,  the government has today published its COVID-19 recovery plan strategy as well  separate guidance on social distancing and staying safe outside. Please see links below. If you have any questions or comments about this plan or its associated guidance that you would like VODG to put forward in ministerial meetings and other representations, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. Many thanks in advance.
Erika Murigi | Head of Communications and Public Affairs 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): key messages

  • The government's new digital portal for care homes to request test is now live - please see below for link and more details.
  • The Department for Health and Social Care has written to the sector requesting that providers report deaths of care workers to DHSC. This letter is included in the Guidance section below. The Care Minister, Helen Whately, has also written separately to the sector with further information about the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme.
  • Personal mental health wellbeing guidance has been published for social care.
  • All feedback, please email [email protected]

Coronavirus (COVID-19): news

New portal for care homes to apply for tests
Government portal launches for care homes to arrange deliveries of coronavirus test kits.
Data on learning disability and autism COVID-19 deaths
NHSE/I have agreed to publish data on COVID-19 deaths of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health illness. Yet concerns continue to mount.
Every death counts
Crowdfunding platform to raise funds to challenge NHS England's decision not to publish data about the deaths of learning disabled and autistic people.
Care-worker death rate twice that of health workers
Healthcare workers have been no more likely to die with COVID-19 than other 20- to 64-year-olds.
More PPE for frontline staff from business partnerships
NHS and social care staff will receive PPE over coming months thanks to new collaborations.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance

Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy
Government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Staying safe outside your home
The principles you should follow to ensure that time spent outside your home is as safe as possible.
Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.
How to wear and make a cloth face covering
Government issues guidance after it advises people in England to cover faces in public areas.
Process for informing DHSC about death of a social care worker
Letter from DHSC to sector asks providers to report deaths of workers to enable DHSC to report deaths accurately.
Care minister writes to health and social care and voluntary sectors
Helen Whately letter provides information on NHS Volunteer Responders scheme, which supports those who are struggling to access food, medicines and other necessities.
Health and wellbeing of the adult social care workforce
Guidance for anyone who works in adult social care on how to manage personal mental health in the current circumstances. It also provides adult social care employers with guidance, tools and advice on how to take care of the wellbeing of staff at work.
Working safely during coronavirus
Practical guidelines to make workplaces as safe as possible and give people confidence to go back to work during coronavirus pandemic.
Inappropriate use of sedative medicines to enforce social distancing guidelines
CQC guidance on protecting vulnerable people who may not understand social distancing guidelines.
Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can’t do
Updated frequently asked questions on what you can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

Trowers & Hamlins legal update | The unexpected price of pension salary sacrifice during COVID-19
Q&A looking at employer obligations and options where schemes use salary sacrifice.
Charity shop reopening pack
Pack includes guidance for when charity shops are able to reopen. From Charity Retail Association.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): meetings

VODG member Keeping in touch call: focus on finance and funding | 20 May | 15.00 - 16.30
An opportunity for VODG member finance directors to discuss finance and funding issues.